On this page you will find a list of methods used for treating and managing pain. I am not necessarily recommending any particular method, but I hope that you will find something here that will be of some help to you. I would also suggest that you consult with a Physician before trying anything new. It has been my experience that a combination of treatments usually works best in helping to manage or alleviate pain. Depending upon how long you have had chronic pain, you may be aware of many of the suggestions listed here. My hope, however, is that you might run across something that is new to you and that you would consider trying. If you have anything that you feel should be added to this list, please contact me. I would be happy to add anything that I feel people might benefit from.
Learn how to use proper body mechanics to reduce strain on the body. A good Physical Therapist should be able to help you. There are also many good books and tapes that can help to teach you to have good posture and learn the proper way of walking, sitting, standing, bending, lifting, sleeping, etc. Try to have a very good supportive bed and pillow and a very good pair of shoes. Develop the habit of shifting positions often throughout the day and even while sleeping. This will reduce pressure on various parts of the body. Use arm rests and remember to keep your back supported while sitting.
Learn how to pace yourself throughout the day. Try to achieve a balance between work and periods of rest. Do whatever you are able to do before pain increases or you become tired. In between periods of activity try to rest as much as you are able to. Keep in mind that too much activity OR too much rest can cause your body to stiffen and pain to increase. Remember that balance is the key. Even if you are unable to get out of bed, try to shift positions often. Movement is very important and can aid in healing.
Since movement is so important, we should exercise as often as we are able. Therefore, find out what your body can tolerate. Consult with your Physician or a Physical Therapist for help. Try doing gentle stretches to promote flexibility. Walking and swimming are good choices for chronic pain sufferers. Always begin slowly. You could also consider checking into Pilates. This is a form of exercise using special equipment which promotes flexibility by doing gentle stretches. I have heard great reports from people using the Pilates method. You may want to consider trying it.
What we put into our bodies can greatly affect our health. Try drinking plenty of pure water. Eliminate Nutrasweet and all artificial sweeteners. Reduce caffeine, refined sugar, white flour and hydrogenated oils. Stay away from processed foods and man-made imitation foods. Eat natural, whole foods. Choose recipes that feature raw or lightly cooked foods that are natural. Check for common signs of food allergys such as, black circles under the eyes, horizontal wrinkles under the lower eyelid, itchy nose, eyes or tongue, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing, migraines, indigestion, ulcers, asthma, heartburn, hives, skin blemishes, rashes, menstrual cramps, bloating, painful urination and behavior changes. Try eliminating from the diet any foods that could be triggering an allergic response. Learn about cleansing and detoxifying the body to eliminate any offending substances.
The following is a list of the most common traditional methods that are used to help treat pain.
Physical Therapy
Ultrasound
Osteopathic Manipulation
Tens Unit-(Bioflex)
Magnetic Therapy
Hot and Cold Packs
Massage Therapy
Chiropractor
Prescribed medication
Cortizone injections
Surgery
Try taking diet supplements such as vitamens, minerals and herbs. Consider seeing a trained Herbalist to assist you in finding the Herbs that are best for you. Try reading about herbs and consider going to your local health food store. They usually have people there who are trained to help answer any questions. You can find more detailed information if you go to my Herb pages. You may also want to consult with a Nutritionist. I believe that taking supplements is so important because the quality of our food is not what it use to be. By taking supplements, we help to ensure that we get the nutrients that are lacking in our diets.
If a doctor has been unable to pinpoint the cause of your pain or other symptoms, it is a good idea to explore every possible cause. For example, an underactive thyroid gland can cause muscular pain and so can vitamen and mineral deficiencys. Problems with teeth, eyes and ears could possibly point to problems in other parts of the body. In other words, if one part of your body needs attention, it could indicate problems in other areas. Check out your nails. They can tell you a lot about the condition of your health. For example, horizontal ridges could indicate anemia. Think about your environment and what you are exposed to daily. Do you use a lot of household cleaners that are toxic? Do you drink tap water? Do you use pesticides? Are you exposed to second hand smoke? These are just a few examples of what can cause potential harm to our bodies. Everything has to be taken into consideration when trying to determine what adjustments we can make to live healthier lives.
Living with chronic pain or illness can certainly cause depression. Many churches offer free counseling and have people who are willing to listen and pray with you. There are also many people online who are offering support and encouragement too. Be sure to tell your Physician if you feel that you are suffering from depression. There are medications that are available to help you. Feel free to email me if you would ever like prayer or if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.
TO ENCOURAGE YOU |
If you are coping with health problems then it is only natural for you to experience some added stress as a result. Sometimes, however, stressful events can actually trigger the onset of health problems. Unresolved conflicts and unforgiveness can cause problems too. If something is troubling you and you think that it may be affecting your health, I would suggest doing everything that you can to reduce the tension in your life. This may mean letting go of anger or it may mean deciding to forgive someone. It might also mean that you may need to make some changes in your life. For example, relationships, finances or even your place of employment could be areas that need tending to. Only you can determine the areas in your life that may need changing. I believe that when faced with health problems, it is important to try to live in a healthy environment. Therefore, it is a good idea to examine ways that we can reduce the amount of stress in our lives.
After examining the various ways to decrease the stress in our lives, there are other things that we can do to help relieve tension. Consider relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tension. Listen to uplifting soothing music. Pray and meditate. Try writing about your feelings. It is very therapeutic. Take a warm bath or soak in a hot tub. Hot packs and sometimes cold packs can be very soothing. Although heat is usually not recommended if you have inflammation, it is usually okay to place hot packs on areas of the body that aren't in pain. For example, I have found that a hot pack placed on my stomach will help me to relax and enable me to sleep. You can also light candles or experiment with fragrant oils. Fragrances can have a very calming affect, especially vanilla. Try reading a good book. If you are struggling with depression, fear or panic, try reading scriptures and standing on God's word. If you are feeling overwhelmed, consult your physician. I believe that God often works through doctors and I am glad that they are there for us. Again, feel free to send your prayer requests to me and I hope that you will ask others to pray for you often.
CONFINED TO A BED OR WHEELCHAIR?
Although I have never been in a wheelchair, I have experienced acute attacks of back pain that have left me unable to move for days. In this situation, one of the best things that I would recommend is trying to promote the flow of oxygen in your body. In fact, I can't say enough about the benefits of doing this. Deep breathing exercises is just one way to increase the flow of oxygen and there are also others. If you are interested in this, I have devoted another page on this subject. I have discovered how increasing oxygen can help promote healing in the body. I truly believe that this is one of the very best things that we can do for our health. Here is the link to my page where I have given detailed information about this.
In closing, the best advice that I would give to anyone who is battling with health problems would be to make sure that you educate yourself. Find out as much information as possible about your particular problem. Do research on line and ask your Physician many questions. Read, read, read. You could also combine your research with studying God's word and praying about your situation. Helping people who are having health problems is very important to me. I hope that you will return to this portion of my website for future updates. I plan to continue to share as much information with you as I possibly can. Be sure to check out the links below for more information that may be of some help to you. Take care of yourself and God bless.
He gives strength to the weary
And increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
Psalms 22:24
Oh, how He loves
You and Me
