It's a Catch-22: You're hurting, so you don't or can't exercise; but without exercise, you may lose muscle tone and strength, making the pain worse. Fortunately, even mild exercise or better still,.. more
It sounds so obvious, but few of us actually take the time to stop what we're doing and calm our minds. Deep breathing, biofeedback, and meditation are all stress management techniques that relax yo.. more
You need a good night's sleep to help soothe the stresses pain puts on your body. Although alcohol can help you fall asleep, as it metabolizes, it promotes shallow sleep, reduces important REM sleep.. more
Some people find temporary relief from stress and pain with a quick smoke. The irony is that smoking may actually contribute to pain in the long run. It slows healing, worsens circulation, and incre.. more
If you're living with chronic pain, you want to do everything you can to help your body, not hinder it. One way to keep your body strong is to eat a well-balanced diet and make sure that you are dri.. more
Keeping a pain journal can be a great way to help your doctor understand and more effectively treat your chronic pain. At the end of each day, record a "pain score" between 1 and 10. Then note what.. more
By taking care of your emotional and physical health, you can better manage your pain. That may mean saying no to events like parties if you need the rest. Or it may mean scheduling regular massages.. more
You already know that focusing on pain can just make it worse. That's why one potent prescription for relief is to keep busy with activities that take your mind off the pain. Take that cooking class.. more
Understand the medicines you're taking, what they can do for you, and their side effects. Then educate yourself about other treatment options. Your goal is to have a normal mood and activity level -.. more
As many as one person in every three is dealing with chronic pain, so you're far from alone. Reaching out is the most important habit you can develop to help you deal with chronic pain. Tell friends.. more