3 Daily Habits to Ease Chronic Pain in Older Adults

If you have chronic pain affecting at least 3 out of 10 Americans, you are already aware of the seriousness of this issue. Chronic pain, which lasts more than three months, can interfere with daily activities, cause discomfort, and make your everyday life a challenge.

Numerous conditions such as illnesses and chronic physical, emotional, or social stress are among the many causes of chronic pain. Although your brain determines whether you are in pain, discomfort is not always in your head. For instance, a damaged or worn-out body part is not usually the source of discomfort. Chronic pain results from your brain receiving signals from an injured body part, telling you that you're in pain.

However, this is the time when you learn to manage chronic pain, especially if you're dealing with a medical condition you have to deal with your entire life. After all, optimal bodily function and quality of life are the main objectives of chronic pain management. So, on that note, here are a few tried and trusted ways to manage and ease chronic pain in older adults.

Set Some Goals

Let's face facts. It can be challenging to modify our lifestyle, especially at an older age. It requires commitment and perseverance but is typically well worth the effort. Using a tried-and-true goal-setting system is the key to creating long-lasting changes. The following advice can help you set and accomplish your goals, helping you manage and ease chronic pain tenfold:

• Perform tasks one at a time.
• Always be detailed oriented.
• Don't forget to measure your progress.
• Ensure that your goals are challenging but achievable.
• Set a few deadlines for every goal.
• Share your goals and objectives with your friend, family, and anyone who will support you.

Socialize

Most of the time, we avoid being around others when we're in pain. We curl up in a ball in the corner, hoping the pain will eventually disappear. However, according to research, social isolation affects our experience of pain and can lead to a plethora of other health problems. Even when we are hurt, it is necessary to be with other people. So, to help you be more social, consider the following advice:

• Regularly visit your friends and family members.
• Ask them to visit your house.
• Go for a walk in the park with a group.
• Join a chronic pain support group.

Get Some Physical Activity

The adage "move it or lose it" holds exceptional value when discussing motion and chronic pain. Walking, turning, and bending, stretching is typically uncomfortable for those with chronic pain. And it would be second nature to avoid painful things. As a result, you will be stuck in a vicious loop where any movement will lead to pain. So, how can this cycle be broken to ease chronic pain, especially if you're older? Here are a few things you can do:

• Join a free movement session.
• Start with low-intensity exercises such as water aerobics, tai chi, or yoga.
• Inhale and exhale deeply to keep your blood flowing.
• If you have a sedentary job, take out thirty minutes to stretch your body.
• Always consult your doctor before adding any physical activity to your daily routine.

Wrapping Up

There is no better to ease chronic pain than to take your medication on time. However, that doesn't mean you cannot take a medicine-free route to accomplish the same thing. With a combination of medication and the daily habits mentioned above, you can easily learn how to manage and ease chronic pain and improve your quality of life.

Furthermore, don't forget to contact Health One Family Medicine by visiting https://www.healthonemedicine.com/or calling (469)262-5762 to get expert advice on managing and easing chronic pain!