Controlling Your Pain

Pain is unfortunately a part of many people’s daily lives. Here are several goals that might help you to better control your pain:

Short-Term

Keep track of your pain for a month. Note when it occurs, how severe it is and what makes it better or worse.
Make an appointment with your doctor specifically to discuss your pain issues and how to manage them.
Try a few sessions of acupuncture or massage, one session per week.
If you’re using pain medication, ask your doctor whether you can take it earlier in the day to stay ahead of the pain.
If you tend to be too active or if your pain gets worse with a lot of activity, set aside time every day to take a break and rest.
Try applying a hot or cold pack for 20 minutes every day to see if it helps.

Long-Term

Consider scheduling a consultation with a doctor who specializes in treating pain.
Exercise most days of the week, including both aerobic conditioning and strength training in your workouts.
If sleep or mood is an issue, take specific steps to address it.
If your doctor orders physical therapy or other treatments, follow through with the recommendation.

Read more: Alternative Therapies, Health

Adapted from Super Healing: The Clinically Proven Plan to Maximize Recovery From Illness or Injury by Julie K. Silver, MD (Rodale, 2007).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Carole R.

9:13PM PDT on May 14, 2012

Good tips for dealing with pain. Thanks.

send a green star

Brenda T.

6:01AM PDT on May 14, 2012

Physical pain is one of the worst things we have to face. I hate seeing my disabled husband in almost constant pain.

Robert O.

4:47PM PDT on May 13, 2012

Thanks Annie.

Dale O.

2:56PM PDT on May 13, 2012

Interesting article, pain is often a terrible and unpleasant experience and finding ways to distract oneself sometimes is helpful at times especially if I am in a lovely natural environment. If one undergoes chronic pain then there are many things one can try. My arthritic pain went away when practicing Tai Chi which is a very slow and graceful exercise-after several weeks all my pain went away which was surprising.

Patricia H.

3:58AM PDT on May 3, 2012

thanks for sharing

Pat W.

10:56PM PDT on Mar 25, 2012

Good advice and takes the holistic approach.

Victor M.

3:11PM PDT on Mar 22, 2012

Take some pills

LMj S.

10:50PM PST on Jan 27, 2012

thank you.