HOW TO MANAGE PAIN
LAST week I wrote about pain and how it varied between individuals who had the same injury or illness. What is excruciating for you may be bearable for someone else.
There are certain things we should know and understand about pain. We must be able to differentiate between fact and myth. Let’s look at some of them.
Pain is not always a bad thing. It acts as the body’s barometer, telling us when we should stop what we’re doing and check what’s wrong, to prevent further damage to the body.
You often hear “no pain, no gain” especially when working out at the gym or when you’re trying to achieve certain levels of fitness. You have to know the difference between pushing yourself until you “feel the burn” and when it’s painful that you should stop. You should never feel pain when exercising. Discomfort, yes. Aches, yes. Pain? Take a break. You have to learn your limits.
This is exactly why you should have a proper trainer to teach you what to do and how to use the equipment, as well as guide you on what is a good workout.
A friend once took pride in her gym workouts. She said some exercises were painful so she just took painkillers before working out. It wasn’t long before she tore a ligament and had to rest for a few months. Her doctor said she had overworked her routines and kept at it when her body couldn’t take it. She took painkillers, so she didn’t feel pain, didn’t stop and hurt herself.
Many people buy over-the-counter painkillers because they are so readily available and hence so easily abused. Some of these just mask the pain while others are anti-inflammatory medications that actually help by reducing the inflammation that causes pain. A rule of thumb to remember is if your pain lasts for more than a week or two, or becomes worse over time that it interferes with your daily activities, you should seek medical attention. Don’t ignore that pain. Find out
what’s wrong.
“Man up” to pain. It is kind of macho to grit and bear it, but pain can do crazy things to your mind. Some may whine and whine about their pain. While this can be irritating, you shouldn’t write them off. Just because you can’t find the source of their pain doesn’t mean they don’t feel it. Unfortunately, there aren’t tests or equipments that can measure pain.
When that happens, you should try to change your attitude towards it. Many therapists I’ve worked with say when you need to learn to cope with pain, it is best to start by being positive about it. It’s important to remember that pain can lead to depression and anxiety if you let it go on indefinitely, which can make pain worse.
So try to be proactive by considering counselling or trying various methods with hopes of finding some solution. Massage, acupuncture and herbal treatments are some options. Sometimes, using a hot or cold compress may give some relief.
Cold packs work best to alleviate pain that comes from inflammation or swelling, soothing muscles and skin. Hot packs are comforting for aches or to relax muscles. Just remember not to place any heating or ice packs without a layer of cloth to protect your skin. You can remove it when the intensity reduces. You should also remember to not place heating pads on areas where there are radiation marks on the skin. Find out more from your doctor or therapist.
Have a plan to manage pain. Like the good doctor says, exercise is the key to keeping your systems on the go. You’d be surprised how being active can actually reduce your aches and pains. It also boosts your mood and helps you sleep better.
If you’re not active, your muscles and joints can become tight, causing more pain when you eventually move. This is common among the elderly. You’ll have to coax them and help them be as active as they can.
Exercise helps strengthen muscles, ease stiff joints, and restore coordination and balance. Low-impact exercises, like walking, swimming, and stretching, are good ways to start.
So while you should be careful and mindful as to what you do and limiting exercise during acute episodes of pain, you should continue daily activities and exercise per doctor’s orders as much as you can.
All said, aches and pains are a part of our lives. What you’d want to prevent is the pain that could increase suffering and decrease your quality of life. It’s not so much as an ageing issue as it is to seek help to get relief, no matter your age.