According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), chronic pain is defined as “any pain lasting more than 12 weeks.” It affects 100 million people and can range from mild, excruciating, episodic or continuous, and simply be an inconvenience or totally incapacitate a person. The effects of chronic pain can take both a physical and an emotional toll.
But where does chronic pain come from? What causes it? Some of the most common sources are:
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Injury
- Backaches
- Tendinitis
- Sinuses
- Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Chronic pain can weigh heavily on a person emotionally, causing anxiety, depression, anger, and stress. Studies indicate a correlation between emotional well being and the body’s ability to fight infection. Individuals who suffer from chronic pain are in a relentless cycle from which it is difficult to emerge from.
Fortunately, there are options for sufferers of chronic pain, and surprisingly, many of these options are more holistic and proactive than traditional medicinal remedies. The goal is to uncover and address the source of the problem versus simply masking it. Here are a few areas to explore if you, or someone you know, is suffering from chronic pain:
- Anti-inflammatory plants and herbs – turmeric, green tea, ginger, rosemary, and willow bark
- Fish oil- omega-3s for headaches, back pain, some
- Vitamin D increase
- Exercise – releasing endorphins through physical activity can provide pain relief as endorphins are the body’s natural pain reliever
- Stretching – through massage or other exercises
- Meditation
- Spinal Decompression – through Chiropractic care
- Spinal Manipulation
It’s important that the underlying cause of the pain is correctly identified so that the proper course of treatment can be prescribed. A Chiropractor can work with both a Licensed Massage Therapist and a Rehabilitation Specialist to develop a plan to help a person get back to a pain-free life once again. And while it might take some time to get there, it will be worth every step.
You can start today on your journey to wellness. Don’t let pain rob you of one more moment.