Pain Management Tips

STOP DOING THESE THINGS IF YOU WANT TO LIVE WITHOUT PAIN

~ Thinking that pain means “harm” or is “dangerous” because it doesn’t. When it comes to Chronic Pain it’s often an overactive or overly sensitive nervous system that sends pain signals when they’re not actually required. Massage can help your body and nervous system relax, as can mindfulness based activities like meditation or yoga to help you get out of pain.

~ Living a sedentary lifestyle or not doing physical activity because of fear of making your pain worse. Your body gets stronger with exercise and movement and this often equals less pain. Too much rest due to an injury is unhelpful. Please also keep in mind that pain such as back pain is rarely associated with serious tissue damage. Your body is a safe place, you just need to remind yourself of that.

~ Rush to your GP to get a scan. The problem with scans is that most people without pain have age related changes to discs such as degeneration (80%) and disc bulges (50-60%). These changes are like ‘wrinkles on the inside’ and they do not predict pain. Scans can make the matter worse if you start “over-protecting” your body with unhelpful movements and activities.

~ Not looking at your wider health. In chronic pain there is often involvement from other body systems and habits such as the immune system, your sleep patterns, hormonal system and nervous system. Also do not underestimate the power of the basics like good sleep, a healthy diet, quitting smoking, reducing your alcohol intake, hydrating with filtered water and strong social connections.

Written by Tarren Hehir, Remedial Massage Therapist
Treating clients in Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Carlton, Brunswick, Clifton Hill, Abbotsford, Northcote, Thornbury.