Everyday pain management ideas

painAction.com is a website supported by Endo Pharmaceuticals, and could be a useful resource to chronic pain patients.  Registered users have access to lots of resources about pain mangement...non-pharmaceutical ideas are included on the site. Tools for making the most of your doctor visits are included.  Click on the image below to go to the site.

Self massage is really a form of distraction technique.  I saw this article in Arthritis Today  by Adrienne Foley and thought it would make a good starting point for those of you who are interested: Self-Massage Relieves Arthritis Pain and Stress Learn the steps of self-massage to help ease your arthritis pain. By Adrienne Foley A hard workout or long walk can often lead to sore muscles that clamor for immediate relief. When you don’t have time for a professional massage, sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands.  Self-massage is a great way to target painful areas and provide immediate relief, when and where you need it most. “Self-massage is probably the oldest form of healing,” says Bob McAtee, RMT, CSCS, CPT, owner of Pro-Active Massage Therapy in Colorado Springs, Colo. “It’s an instinctive activity that many animals perform. When a dog or cat is injured, she licks the area. When w

Heat therapy is another non-drug intervention that can be useful in pain management.  The application of heat is especially useful for muscle spasm, chronic pain (especially back pain) and arthritis, and sometimes, fibromyalgia. The application of heat relaxes muscles and increases blood flow in the affected area.Before applying, be sure to check skin surface to see that it is dry and free of cuts or sores.  Do NOT apply heat to skin that is damaged. After treatment check for purplish-red skin or hives, which would indicate that the treatment was too intense. Heat can be applied as either dry heat or moist heat.  The difference between these two methods is that moist heat tends to penetrate the tissues more deeply than dry heat. Heat should be applied for at least 15 or 20 minutes to obtain some level of pain relief. Here is a simple method to make your own hot/cold pack: 1) Take a clean sock and fill it halfway with plain dry rice.  Be sure NOT to use instant rice.     Tie

Cold therapy has been around since the age of Hippocrates.  You might think of applying an ice pack as first aid for sprains, black eyes, and such, but it also plays a role in some forms of chronic pain. The application of cold packs to arthritic joints,or pinched nerves for 15 to 20 minutes at a time can provide dramatic relief from those pesky aches.  The cold sensation  has a numbing effect, so pain in the immediate area of cold application is usually relieved for a time. The cold temperature also causes the blood vessels in the area to constrict, resulting in decreased blood flow.  The decrease in blood flow tends to decrease the inflammatory response in the affected area. It might be useful to try this the next time you feel that unpleasant ache!

The benefits of exercise to enhance control of chronic pain are well known, but often underused.  There are many types of exercise that can be done to increase the sense of well being...these include, but are not limited to: Aerobic exercises: aerobics, dance, swimming, walking, running Weight training : Nautilus type exercises, free weights Non traditional exercises : yoga, pilates Not every type of exercise is for everyone.  Many people with pain issues have restrictions on what they can or cannot do.  The basic rule of them is to work within your personal limitations to the best of your ability. Exercise usually promotes a generalized sense of well being in the individual who chooses to give it a try. This is due to the release of endorphin, a naturally occurring substance that mimics the effects of morphine in the body. Exercise is also a great natural antidepressant and stress reliever. Over time exercise enhances weight loss efforts and control of blood sugar. As a ru

Anyone who has experience caring for children has probably at some point, made use of distraction techniques. They are also common in the public relations world and in politics..but they can also be used to help individuals in the pain management realm. People who are suffering from pain due to most causes can use this technique to get a little short term relief from their pain. Distraction techniques are many in number.  They include activities such as reading a book, watching a movie, phoning a friend, playing a game, to name a few.  A distraction technique is simply choosing to focus on something other than the pain experience. Ask yourself:what can I do to help myself stay distracted from pain? For further reading: Chronic Pain Distraction on About.com

All medical information in this blog is merely information - not advice. If users need medical advice, they should consult a doctor or other appropriate medical professional. The disclaimer also provides that no warranties are give in relation to the medical information supplied on this blog, and that no liability will accrue to the website owner in the event that a user suffers loss as a result of reliance upon the information. Post by Marietta LeDonne .