Everyday pain management ideas

I have decided to devote a few posts to my thoughts about why non-drug pain management ideas are important.  Up until the present, I have focused on over 60 different ideas ( see recap #1 and recap #2 for a quick overview) . Not every intervention is appropriate for every situation-for example, inversion tables are primarily used for people with back problems, but would probably not be of much use for someone with fibromyalgia. In any event, for this first post I would like to point out that medications have a role in the treatment of chronic pain, but there ARE limitations.  Some thoughts:  Dosage ranges need to be observed to reduce the risk of side effects/toxicity/drug interactions.  The more medications a person takes, and the higher the dosages they take, the more likely they are to encounter problems at some point. Of particular danger is the use of opioid medications because of the risks associated with the nature of the drug: addiction, dependency, and tolerance.  Opioid

I saw an article some time ago about this topic and put it aside for a while.  I have already discussed some of these concepts in some of my earlier posts.  I am going to give you the nutshell version here: you can read it in entirety by going to the link I am providing at the end! Medications--at least to date-- are of limited use in Fibromyalgia (and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as well).  So it is very important to know some coping skills.  It might take some experimentation and/or practice to see what works for you. So, without further ado-- 1) Pace yourself. It's important to know what your limits are and to live within the confines of those limits. No permission is needed from anyone except you! 2) Relax! Muscle tension and anxiety can really enhance the pain you are feeling. Take time out for a massage , a whirlpool bath, or a little meditation .  It will pay off in the long run. 3) Know your triggers . In knowing what activities, foods, sleep situa

Nowadays many of us have access to a whirlpool bath or hot tub..maybe at the gym or YMCA, swim club, or even at home.  Using water in this way, for therapeutic purposes has existed for many years.  While it may not be a long term solution to the problem of chronic pain,  the combination of warm water and massaging effect of body jets can feel very soothing to achy joints.  There is a mental effect as well; enjoying the sensation can give a brief respite to mental tensions and anxieties, even if only for a few moments!  Muscles  relax ; circulation is increased and the body's immune system can be strengthened by way of hydrotherapy.  The heat of the water can induce sweating, which can help to detoxify our bodies of unwanted impurities.  What's not to like?  :) Sources: http://www.healthandfitnesstravel.com/blog/why-is-hydrotherapy-good-for-you

Have you ever heard the term"spoonie?" I have seen it in a lot of blog posts and it led me to the creation of this post.  First and foremost, I looked in the Urban Dictionary, because it just seemed like that kind of word.  Here is what I found: Spoonie A person living with chronic illness, that identifies with Christine Miserandino's Spoon Theory. Spoonies are people that live with chronic illness; theoretically measuring personal daily abilities much as one would measure the proper amount of spoons needed for an event or occasion... sometimes having an abundance, other times coming up short. by SansNom75 October 12, 2009  This led me on a search for "The Spoon Theory." I have attached a link below the picture if you want to read it.  I am not really one to label people. In this case, the term spoonie came from one of its own, and many chronic pain sufferers seem to use it willingly in their conversations amongst themselves.  I

Dealing with chronic pain over weeks, months and perhaps years can take its toll on an individual.  There are good days and bad, just like anything else, but as time goes on, the chronic pain problem slowly becomes a part of who that person is as a whole.  It is important to understand this if you have a relative, co-worker, or friend who suffers from chronic pain. For the most part, most patients with chronic pain really do want to feel better.  They have been from one doctor to another, have tried numerous prescription remedies and lifestyle changes, surgery,physical therapy, etc. with varying results.  Some people find a good "cocktail of remedies" and function pretty well; others may be on the lookout for a suitable path. No matter where these folks fall on the spectrum, the one thing that is always of benefit is emotional support.  Living in pain is hard on the mental self as well as they physical self; knowing how to be supportive is just as important as any medica

In the months that I have been writing this blog, it has come to my attention that many are on the lookout for help with fibromyalgia.  This mystifying condition affects about 10 million people in the US alone. Efforts to find a cause and/or treatments for this chronic pain condition are still in their infancy. For that reason, I am sharing a link in this post to the National Fibromyalgia Association . Here you can find a number of resources: support groups, chat room,community resources, latest news and information, and the like. I have also posted a graphic of their magazine, Fibromyalgia Aware ( You can view this online or subscribe as well!) I hope you will take a few minutes to have a look around! Sources: National Fibromyalgia Association; Flickr

A pair of shoes in today's world can serve a variety of purposes--dress shoes, running shoes, work boots...but they are not all constructed with pain management in mind.  Wearing the wrong shoes for the wrong purpose can lead to all kinds of problems--foot pain, back pain,and so on.  So with that in mind, I decided to do a little bit of research on how to get shoes that fit well, and spare yourself unnecessary foot and back pain! 1) The size of a person's foot changes with age, so measuring your feet every time you shop for shoes is a great idea.  Over the course of a day, feet become a bit larger. Therefore, shoe shopping later in the day will give you best fit. 2) Most people's feet are not exactly the same size.  Try on both shoes of a pair before buying them. 3) Select a shoe that is shaped in a similar way to your foot's shape. 4) The size on the shoe box is not that relevant.  What really matters is how the shoe feels on your foot. 5) Don't buy