According to the CDC, more than 20 percent of Americans suffer from chronic pain. Even more worrying, 23 million suffer from chronic pain that limits everyday activities.
Consequently, Americans spend billions of dollars each year to counter their chronic pain. It’s fueling the opioid epidemic, affects the quality of life, and contributes to mental illness.
If you’re a sufferer of chronic pain yourself, you understand the devastating impacts it can have on one’s life. Thus, today we’re going to teach you how to treat chronic pain and improve the overall quality of your life!
Eat Right and Sleep Well
A poor diet can alter your immune system and contribute to chronic pain. In fact, according to Harvard Health, studies have found that an unhealthy diet can be equivalently detrimental to the immune system as a bacterial infection.
Be sure to eat healthy meals and drink plenty of water throughout the day. A balanced diet that includes whole fruits, proteins, vegetables, and whole grains can significantly improve your health. There are also specific foods that are known to strengthen the immune system.
Some of these foods include:
- Spinach
- Watermelon
- Yogurt
- Mushrooms
- Oysters
- Sweet Potato
It’s also critical to get on a sleep schedule. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day – even on the weekends. If this isn’t possible, aim to get at least seven hours of sleep per night.
Try Medical Marijuana
The days of stigmatizing marijuana use are close to an end. Doctors and scientists are now studying its numerous benefits – particularly on chronic pain. Nowadays, it’s considered to be one of the most effective natural pain relief treatments available.
According to US Pharmacists, more than 60 percent of marijuana users do so to manage their chronic pain. Many sufferers of chronic pain have reported life-changing results from marijuana use.
Unfortunately, Marijuana is still illegal in many states. However, many users opt to seek a doctor for a medical marijuana prescription. You can learn more information on obtaining a medical marijuana card by speaking to a pain specialist.
Stay Active and Exercise
Out of all the natural treatments to treat chronic pain, staying active and exercising are among the best. Exercise can help increase mobility, reduce inflammation, and decrease pain levels.
In addition to these benefits, exercising can:
- Improve joint pain and health
- Increase muscular strength
- Improve mental health
- Help you lose or maintain weight
Of the various types of pain treatments out there, exercise offers the broadest range of health benefits. Keep in mind – strenuous weight lifting and hardcore workouts aren’t necessary to reduce chronic pain. Simple exercises such as stretching, walking, and swimming are great ways to keep your body active and reduce pain and stiffness.
How to Treat Chronic Pain and Improve Your Quality of Life
Because of its prevalence, many people wonder how to treat chronic pain. It can have a significant impact on one’s life and make simple tasks difficult.
However, with the help of these three simple tips, we hope you’re able to reduce your chronic pain and prevent it from controlling your well-being!
If you’re looking for more information on pain management and improving your quality of life, be sure to check out our other health-related articles!
