Chronic back, neck, or joint pain can take a serious toll on your quality of life. Even simple household tasks can feel difficult when your body always aches. You might feel sluggish or fatigued for most of the day, especially when your pain limits your physical activity.
Conquering your chronic pain is essential if you want to live a happy and healthy life. Although you probably can’t get rid of your pain overnight, you can reduce it with a combination of professional treatments and lifestyle changes. Here are five tips to lessen your pain and boost your energy levels:
1. Try Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can have powerful benefits for people with joint and back pain. When you struggle with severe chronic pain, some movements may feel completely impossible. A physical therapist can teach you how to move safely and prevent injury, and they can introduce exercises that will improve your strength and flexibility.
Your physical therapist may recommend specific exercises for you to practice daily on your own. Additionally, they may use pain relief treatments during your sessions. For instance, they might perform massage or joint manipulation to reduce your pain. The combination of in-clinic treatments and exercises you do on your own can help you quickly increase your mobility and energy.
2. Increase Your Exercise
Joint pain can reduce your ability to exercise, but being sedentary will only lead to more pain and fatigue. When you’re struggling with pain, immediately starting an intense exercise regimen isn’t safe or practical. However, there are plenty of ways you can gradually introduce more activity into your daily routine.
You could start by taking a walk around the block every evening, or you could do some gentle calisthenics at home. Swimming is an excellent exercise for people with chronic pain because the water reduces the impact on your joints. Another great option is yoga therapy, which combines gentle movements with meditation to improve both your physical and mental health.
3. Improve Your Posture
Bad posture is one of the biggest contributors to back and neck pain. This can be especially damaging to your health if you spend most of your work day at a desk. Improving your posture takes a lot of conscious effort, but it has great rewards for your overall health and energy levels.
Your physical therapist can help you improve your posture by recommending exercises to strengthen the muscles in your back, chest, and shoulders. You could also make adjustments to your workstation to promote good posture. Make sure your chair is at a height that allows your feet to rest flat on the floor. Your keyboard should be positioned so that your shoulders stay relaxed and your elbows are bent at a 90-degree angle.
4. Get a Massage
A therapeutic massage can have immediate benefits for back and joint pain. Massage relieves tension in your muscles and joints and can even reduce levels of stress hormones throughout your body. Because massage helps you feel both physically and mentally calmer, you’ll likely find it easier to increase your activity after the session. While you shouldn’t rely solely on massage to relieve your pain, it can be a great addition to other treatments and lifestyle changes.
5. Visit a Chiropractor
Chiropractic treatment is especially helpful for back and neck pain. Adjustments can relieve pain, improve mobility, and increase your energy. With the right chiropractic care, you can see a continual improvement in your chronic pain and a lower risk of flare-ups. In addition to performing the manipulations, your chiropractor can also offer recommendations for exercises and lifestyle changes to decrease your pain.
You may see an immediate improvement in your pain after your first chiropractic appointment. Patients usually have recurring appointments to maintain their results. Over time, though, your flexibility and mobility will continually improve until the treatment is no longer necessary.
Managing back pain and joint inflammation can be difficult, but it is possible. By being mindful of your posture, getting adequate exercise, and consulting with professionals, you can reduce your pain and feel more energetic. Tulsa Spine and Rehab offers chiropractic, physical therapy, yoga therapy, and many other services for individuals with chronic pain. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
