4 Ways to Fight Chronic Pain and Win

Inflammation is a natural process which the body goes through when it is at war with an infection or some kind of damage. Chronic inflammation on the other hand can be more harmful than helpful because the immune system begins attacking healthy cells.

Apart from clinical medicine there are other options available for treating arthritic pain. Many medical professionals promote massaging, herbal supplements and acupuncture as helpful alternative treatments.

However for any treatment to work, a complete lifestyle change is required to manage chronic pain. The right doctor can help with the treatment and recommend healthy changes that will reduce inflammation, pain and increase overall mobility of patients suffering from arthritis or osteoarthritis.

Listed below are 4 ways to holistically fight chronic pain.

1. Sleep Well

Getting an adequate amount of sleep is essential for bodies that are fighting pain, inflammation and disease. A study published in the Sleep medical journal reported that people who slept for fewer than six hours or experienced disturbed sleep had more C-reactive protein in their body which is responsible for inflammation.

Sleeping for the recommended 7 to 8 hours every night can help the body heal. It makes a person feel healthier and stronger when they have had a good night’s sleep.

2. Meditate

Many researches show there are several health benefits associated with meditation. It not only reduces the blood pressure but also reduces pain response, inflammation and relieves stress by managing the hormone levels. Meditation is also said to improve sleep and increase concentration capacities. It is also said to regulate pain through emotional and cognitive channels.

Managing stress levels is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. If stress levels go unchecked then inflammation can also flare up. Ohio University showed through research that people who were under stress more often or focused on stressful moments produced more C-reactive proteins in their bodies. Meditation can keep that under control and it does not require any special equipment or services.

3. Keep a Balanced Diet

People say ‘you are what you eat’ which is true because the food you intake affects you physically. The Psychosomatic Medicine published a study which said women with diets comprising of desserts, sweets, processed red meat and refined grains had higher C-reactive protein levels compared to those who only ate fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish and poultry.

4. Get Therapy

Another major part of chronic pain treatment is the psychological aspect. The brain is affected by everything that happens in the human body. Pain also affects a person emotionally. It can affect anxiety levels, depression levels, pain levels and mood levels.

All this in turn multiplies the pain. Usually it helps to deal with the psychological part of a disease with the help of a trained professional. Family and friends cannot relate and are not able to understand a person’s emotional state. This is why therapists are recommended to help patients cope with their symptoms and manage their pain.