5 Ways To Manage Your Pain TODAY!

Chronic pain can be a real motivational drain.  It can impact your desire to get out of bed in the morning, your inclination to exercise and even distract from daily tasks like work or household chores.  Sometimes you can't even get yourself to do the things you know will help.

The following are five simple things that you can do in the next hour to make your pain a little more bearable and your outlook a little brighter.

1. Take a Hot Shower or Bath.  While you're in there, don't think about what you should be doing instead, try not to focus on your body hurting.  Just enjoy the feeling of the hot water relaxing your muscles.  Bonus: Add 1 tablespoon of Sore No More to your bath for extra pain relief.  Extra credit: This is a great time to do some guided meditation (you can purchase CDs for this, find many options on the web, or download an iPhone app such as Stitcher that will allow you to search for meditation podcasts.

2.  Stretch.  Stretching is one of those things many people avoid doing when their body hurts, but it is SO helpful.  As soon as you step out of the bath/shower, do a few stretches.  Stretch your target areas that hurt the most.  Remember, if the pain increases when you stretch you are going too far.  Be gentle with yourself. Bonus: Do some breathing exercises while you stretch.  Extra Credit: Going for a walk later in the day will make you feel even better.

3. Look at Yourself In the Mirror and Smile.  Smiling automatically increases endorphin production, which will make you feel better.  Bonus: Give yourself a compliment. Improving your mental state will make doing the things you need to do to feel more manageable.  Extra Credit:  Watch a funny movie later in the day!

4.  Make a list.  People with chronic pain often feel that they have heard it all. Compartmentalizing all of the information you've received from friends, doctors and the internet can be a challenge.  Sit down and make a list of all of the things that you've heard might help your condition.  Bonus: Cross off the items that you're not interested in/don't believe in. Put stars next to the ones you'd be willing to try and select one or two that you actively want to start working on...highlight those.  Extra Credit: Get started today! Take the first step toward a new pain  management plan.

5.  Do Some Research.  Have you been meaning to try out a new yoga class, find a chiropractor or ask a friend about her massage therapist? Maybe someone mentioned a supplement that you wanted to get more information on?  Get online and do some research.  Bonus:  Maybe this is one of the things on your list!  Extra Credit:  Call and set up an appointment/consultation or sign up for a class.

Now you're well on your way to having a happier, healthier, pain-free day (and life!)



*Sore No More! is not a licensed physician. All information on this blog is researched by our staff and is subject to inaccuracies. No information found here should be used in the place of advice from your doctor. * Sore No More 150 East Center Street Moab, Utah 84532 Tel: (435) 259-5931 Toll Free: (800) 842-6622 www.sorenomore.com