6 Ways to Take Control of Your Pain

[steve2470]

http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2015/how-to-control-pain.html

We are a nation in pain. Sharp, burning, nagging, achy, throbbing, can't-sleep-at-night pain. Some of it is temporary — what docs call "acute" pain — from a hammered thumb, say. Chronic pain, though, not only lasts long after the initial trauma but also transforms our brains and nervous systems into hurt machines, pumping out pain, day after dismal day. The more we learn about pain, however, the more we learn of ways to put an end to it. Here are six ways to take back control.

Strategy No. 1: Don't let it start

As if you needed one more reason to get moving: Research shows that people who exercise as well as those who meditate are less likely to suffer from chronic pain, perhaps because those two activities alter the brain in some protective way.

In fact, researchers at Northwestern University recently found that "the structure of a person's brain may make one more susceptible to chronic pain," says study author A. Vania Apkarian. He envisions that one day, diagnostic brain scans for people in pain will become routine to identify those most at risk. "Early treatment does seem to keep the brain from reorganizing itself into the patterns associated with chronic pain," Apkarian explains. His team is now using brain scans to see which treatments work best for people with particular types of pain. "It's coming," he says. "That's where we're going."

Strategy No. 2: Figure out exactly what type of pain you have

Doctors used to identify pain by its cause — an injury, an illness or an infection — so people would talk about arthritis pain, cancer pain or back pain. Increasingly, though, docs identify pain by the way it affects the nervous system. This is good info to have if you're trying to stop such pain.

much more at link above

[Warpy]

1. Gee, everything but treating the pain.

Some of us with heavy chronic pain loads need heavy pain drugs. I suppose they were too afraid of the drug warriors to admit that part.

[steve2470]

2. yes that is unfortunate nt

[Newest Reality]

3. Yes,

While there are good ideas and methods to deal with pain, it does not seem to be a one size fits all situation.

There are situations, (and I have had them) where pain medications may be the best route. Yet, one can also apply various techniques to the mix and lesson the need, but only if the situation warrants that. Anyone in intense pain should be informed of the full spectrum of potentials for dealing with chronic pain, but sometimes that can only go so far.

I do wish we were not dealing with a witch hunt approach due to the money and other aspects involved in the prohibition effort. Some drugs are legal and used in ways that could be called "pushing" and they are also addictive, yet the opioids and synthetics are targeted most and not in proportion to their health impact, IMO. The acetaminophen levels in some pain killers are very high and far more deleterious to health than the opiates.

Above all, those with cancer and other ailments that yield chronic, intractable pain for long periods simply deserve relief, period. The false morality about addiction is appalling considering the host of addictions in this culture and their impact.

[Warpy]

5. I try to keep the dose as low as possible, just so I can function

The doc became a lot more sympathetic when he realized I'd toughed out a broken neck because I had no insurance. It was a stable fracture but it has a lot to do with the pain I have, as though RA and fibro hadn't been enough.

[stevenleser]

4. Ugh, I read this quickly at first as "6 Ways to Take Control of Your Palin"

Once I got over that nausea and read what you actually wrote, good stuff.

[longship]

6. There's no relief for Palin.

Just have to wait for her to go into spontaneous remission. Palin is a disease with no known cure so once one is infected one has to just let it run its course.

Fortunately this strain does not seem to be fatal at this time. However, take precautions anyway because Palin is still quite virulent.