Here we will go over seven ways to overcome a painful medical condition.
Pain is a symptom associated with nearly every medical condition and is often what triggers the need to seek a doctor in the first place.
Although pain is common, finding an effective treatment is not always easy, and many patients are left suffering. Luckily, with the right mix of medication, lifestyle changes, and knowledge, you can work towards overcoming your pain.
Let’s jump right in.
1) Educate Yourself
When struggling with a medical condition of any kind, knowledge will be the answer to overcoming it and its symptoms.
Consider having a discussion with your doctor about your condition, how you might have developed it, how it affects your body, and what you can do to ensure it does not worsen.
You can also choose to do your own research in books or through trusted online sources like Healthline.com.
Knowing the ins and outs of your condition will help you understand how to decrease the pain associated with it.
2) Learn Your Pain Triggers
You can control the pain for most medical conditions by learning what triggers it.
For example, if you have sciatica, laying flat on your back may result in shooting pains, or if you have IBS, eating dairy may cause painful stomach cramps.
As you feel pain throughout the day, take note in a journal of what you were doing at the time. Eventually, you will develop a list of foods, motions, and positions to avoid.
You might also discover foods, motions, and positions that alleviate pain.
3) Talk To Your Doctor
When pain becomes too much to manage on your own, talk to your doctor about pain management options.
Depending on your condition, your doctor may suggest physical therapy, pain medications, massages, or non-traditional treatments like acupuncture.
You should never be afraid to let your doctor know that you need help managing your pain or that you need to take a different course of action when your current one isn’t working. Unfortunately, not all doctors come up with effective pain solutions, so if your care provider fails to alleviate your symptoms after multiple tries, consider getting a second or third opinion.
4) Build a Trusted Care Team
Some medical conditions are more complex than others, and you may need to develop a care team to overcome your pain.
Your care team may include some of the following individuals:
- Primary caregiver
- Specialist
- massage therapist
- Chiropractor
- Physical Therapist
- Family members or loved ones
- In-home nurses
Every person and their medical condition is different. No two patients will exhibit the exact same symptoms and pain intensities; therefore, having a care team tailored to your specific needs is essential.
5) Use Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is one of the best medications a person in pain can utilize.
Whether your condition consists of headaches, nerve pain, stomach cramps, muscle tension, spasms, or anxiety, marijuana can help.
Medical marijuana comes in various forms, such as:
- Dry herb
- Edibles
- Tinctures
- Vapes
- Gummies
- Capsules
- Topicals
These products come with both psychotropic and non-psychotropic cannabinoids, meaning you don’t have to get high if you don’t want to.
Marijuana is processed through the body’s natural endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for homeostasis within the body. As you use marijuana, your entire body begins to heal and gain functionality.
To use cannabis for pain management, talk to your doctor about receiving a marijuana doctor referral and find a dispensary close to you.
6) Stick to Your Treatment Plan
Once you and your care team have developed a treatment plan, stick to it as closely as possible.
Your treatment plan will likely include doctor visits, daily prescriptions, exercise, and diet changes. Following a new routine diligently can be difficult at first, but you will likely see improved pain levels quickly if you try your best.
To better stick to your treatment plan, consider using alarms and calendar reminders for prescriptions and doctors’ appointments. You can also make diet and exercise easier by keeping unhealthy foods out of the house and making it a point to be active whenever the opportunity presents itself. For example, you can walk to a nearby store instead of driving.
7) Learn How to Get Comfortable
Pain medication and various therapies are not the only way to alleviate pain. There are many ways you can get comfortable on your own, and learning how will make your life much easier.
Here are some common ways chronic pain sufferers find comfort.
- Finding a physical position that removes pressure on the area and alleviates pain
- Using a heating pad or ice pack
- Swimming
- Relaxing with a movie
- Using a hot tub or sauna
- Getting frequent massages
- Performing small exercises that work the painful area
Most importantly, you must learn how to be comfortable with your diagnosis. Stress directly affects the body’s healing process and functionality, so being stressed about your condition will only make it worse, while coming to terms with the situation will make healing and comfort easier to achieve.