5 Tips for Chronic Pain

Those with chronic pain know that it is a constant struggle to get into a place of rest and comfort. Thankfully, our community of chronic warriors have found EDS/HSD friendly ways to get as close to comfort as we possibly can! Here are some tips for when you are having a severe flare up or if you're just a bit extra achy. 

1.Pillows

When dealing with chronic pain and inflammation support for your joints is at the utmost importance. For back comfort, you can place a pillow underneath your knees in order to keep your spine neutral. In addition, you can roll up a small towel and place it at the small of your back for added support. For POTS/dysautonomia related issues, placing two or three pillows under your feet helps aid in blood circulation and helps prevent syncope and presyncope upon standing. 

2. Theragun

If you are a regular at our office I am sure you have met our “theragun”, or, massage gun. These massage guns aim to reduce inflammation by flushing extracellular fluids such as lymph fluid and venous blood out of the muscles and into the circulatory system. In addition, it helps relax tight muscles, break up scar tissue, and minimize soreness and tension. 

3. Topical Creams

There are a variety of creams and topicals that are available that can help aid in muscle soreness and pain. Some of the most commonly used are Solonpas, specifically the ones that include lidocaine, a local anesthetic which works by blocking nerve signals in your body. In addition, broad spectrum CBD cream is a great tool to keep in your arsenal of pain fighters. CBD has been shown to help with conditions such as chronic pain, peripheral neuropathy, inflammation, osteoarthritis pain, and myofascial pain.

4. Bath Salts

Bath soaks contain a high level of magnesium. Magnesium is essential for proper muscle function and acts to relieve tight, sore, and cramped muscles. In addition, it helps maintain muscle contraction, and acts as a natural muscle relaxant. Many bath salts include different essential oils which can also be beneficial for pain, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, chamomile, and lavender. (But remember, if you are sensitive to fragrances, opt for the fragrance free versions!) 

5. Baby Wipes

If you are having a really bad flare up and cannot even fathom getting out of bed, one of the best tricks is to keep baby wipes near you. On days where you feel drained, baby wipes are the best way to clean your body with minimal energy exertion. Feeling fresh can help with your mental state, and in turn make you start to feel better quicker. 

Everyone is different, and paying attention to your body is the best thing you can do to learn what works best for your pain. Give some of these things a try and let us know what you do to help manage your pain!