Current Approaches to Managing Chronic Bone and Joint Pain

After reading an article entitled "Chronic Bone and Joint Pain: Managing the Problem" some of the things I often think about with respect to pain management were confirmed. That is to say, while medicine is readily able to help those with acute pain issues such as broken bones, or post-operative pain...it is a lot more challenging to tackle chronic pain.

Even though that is the case, there are things that chronic pain sufferers can do to minimize their own pain and suffering. Here are some ideas to help with that effort:

Avoid acute pain by using common sense and safety precautions. As an example, if you have arthritis of the knee and you know that running causes acute aggravation..it might be good to become a walker instead.
Avoid behaviors that tend to exacerbate chronic pain conditions, such as smoking and drinking alcohol.
If you have underlying disease states, such as depression, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, make your best effort to comply with your treatment plan. Keeping those conditions in check can help minimize pain/discomfort.
Rather than simply treating pain, work aggressively to pinpoint the cause then treat (and hopefully eradicate!) the problem at its source.
Work with your doctor and other health care providers...as a team, you will more effectively be able to get control of the situation!

Sources: ScienceWorldReport;Wikimedia

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