Managing Chronic Pain: 5 Tips for Living With Chronic Illness

If you live with chronic conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or lupus, there's a good chance you're on the lookout for new ways to help manage chronic pain. Whether your symptoms are new or you feel like you've tried every trick in the book (or, more accurately, on the internet), there are some ways to help manage your chronic illness symptoms that can help to decrease your pain levels.

Try to relax

Chronic pain is often comorbid with mental disorders like anxiety or depression but even those with mental health that's in a good place normally can find that stress exacerbates their symptoms. It's easier said than done, of course, but finding ways to reduce your stress levels and be more relaxed can make a big difference. Take up meditation, book an appointment to see a massage therapist (or, for that matter, a therapist), or increase the frequency of your self-care routine. By decreasing the stress that's adding to your discomfort, you're bound to see a positive effect on your pain levels.

Get a workout in

It almost seems counterintuitive—when you're dealing with a bad flare day, the last thing you want to do is work out. But experts agree that low-impact exercise can help to relieve pain. Try something like restorative yoga or another light workout to help your blood flow and your muscles stretch. If you're worried about muscle soreness, consider using a vibration gun. These devices use percussive therapy to decrease acute muscle pain and improve recovery speed, among other benefits. In fact, you can even take advantage of vibration therapy to ease pain from chronic medical conditions—be sure to contact your doctor in case of any concerns about using a vibration gun with your particular diagnoses.

Practice good coping skills

Coping with a chronic illness is a monumental task and it's all too easy to slip into bad habits like self-medicating with drugs or alcohol, which can actually make your symptoms worse. Research coping mechanisms that can make a difference and, if you're worried about your dependence on unhealthy methods of distracting yourself from the pain, talk to a medical professional about your concerns.

Take it from a cellular level

If you've been dealing with this pain for a while, chances are you've heard about TENS units—but are you familiar with PEMF therapy? PEMF machines utilize pulsed electromagnetic fields to provide pain relief at a cellular level. Electromagnetic field therapy provides other benefits, too, including improved mental clarity, increased energy levels, and relaxation. By restoring cell health with PEMF technology, experts have noted successful treatment of pain as well as depression and other conditions.

Recognize when you need to rest

RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is a well-known adage for good reason. Sometimes your body just needs a break! Getting enough sleep is key to lowering your pain levels and battling symptoms of chronic conditions. Aim for getting your recommended hours per night for the best results, but don't be afraid to let yourself stop to rest otherwise when your body tells you it needs it. You know your own limits and can learn to recognize when you're near your breaking point. Take advantage of that awareness to take care of your body.

Living with a chronic illness is hard and managing chronic pain is just one part of that process. The more time you spend with your diagnosis, the better you'll become at getting through flare-ups. Experts and others who live with these conditions are invaluable resources for what might help and new technologies are constantly being released to make a difference in your day-to-day life with these medical conditions. Try these methods and work with your healthcare providers to find what works best for you.