A growing body of research connects certain lifestyle choices with chronic pain. Doing specific things can make chronic pain stick around longer and can worsen pain levels. Fortunately, the reverse is also true.
A few strategic habits can make a big difference in your pain. For less discomfort and improved quality of life, there are a handful of changes that Dr. Jonathan Carlson recommends to virtually all chronic pain patients.
He always tailors care to you whenever you visit our Hawai’i Pain and Spine office, located on the Windward side of O’ahu in Kailua. That said, these lifestyle changes can help if you’re living with chronic back pain, neck pain, joint pain, or a condition like fibromyalgia or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
Chronic pain can interrupt your sleep, but insufficient sleep can worsen your pain. It can become a vicious cycle. As a result, it helps to be proactive about getting good sleep.
That means using your body’s circadian rhythm, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep. For that, make it a point to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
Also, keep your bedroom cool and dark and avoid screens for an hour before bedtime.
Inflammation is behind a lot of instances of chronic pain, and what you eat plays a big role in your inflammation levels.
Try to get a variety of whole or minimally processed foods, including:
Talk with Dr. Carlson and he can help recommend foods to enjoy and avoid for your specific chronic pain condition.
Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural pain-relievers. You don’t need to do an intense sweat session to get these benefits. Even a brisk walk is sufficient.
Find ways to get active that don’t bother your chronic pain condition. Yoga, swimming, and cycling are great low-impact activities to consider.
Stress takes a serious toll on your body and can make your chronic pain worse. Invest the time to find stress management techniques that work for you, whether that’s breathing exercises, meditation, or talking things out with friends or family.
Fortunately, other lifestyle changes on this list — like sufficient sleep and physical activity — can help to lower your stress and, consequently, your chronic pain levels.
Tobacco harms your body — something you don’t need when your system is already trying to manage chronic pain. Steer clear of smoking, chew, and other tobacco products.
These are general tips that often make a difference. For a personalized plan to pair with them to target the source of your chronic pain, call our office to schedule your appointment with Dr. Carlson today.
