Living with pain, whether chronic or not, can be debilitating. It can be difficult to ignore the pain and try to live a normal life, especially when it gets to a level where you feel like you cannot handle it.
Pain Threshold vs Pain Tolerance
Most of us use these terms interchangeably but they are different. Your threshold is the minimum point at which you start feeling pain. This might feel like a pinch or very slight pressure. Your pain tolerance, on the other hand, is the maximum level at which you feel pain. Your tolerance for pain dictates how well you can take that pinch or slight pressure as it becomes more severe.
While there are many different factors that affect how people perceive pain, it is possible to increase one’s pain tolerance. With a combination of professional help and a change in mindset, it is possible to live a normal and happy life. This is especially good news for people who live with chronic pain.
Get Approved Therapy
First and foremost, you should seek the help of pain management specialists. There are quite a few reputable pain treatment centers that you can visit and consult with who could give you the necessary help that you need.
They will prescribe a few medicines and therapies that they know would be able to minimize and treat your pain. It is important to never self-medicate or try to do the therapy by yourself, as this can only worsen the situation.
Keep the Stressors Away
It might be difficult to keep all of the stressors away, but you should at least work to lessen it. Stress is proven to worsen pain, and if you are under a lot of stress, you tend to experience pain a lot more intensely than usual.
One way you can try to get rid of stress is by practicing mindfulness. This will help you be relaxed and in tune with your body and mind, which gives you the ability to control your thoughts. Mindfulness can also help train your mind to increase its ability to tolerate pain.
Get Enough Sleep
It might be difficult to sleep when you are experiencing pain, but not getting enough of it might only make matters worse. If you want to effectively manage your pain, then you should try to work on your sleep and get at least eight hours of it every night.
If you are having a difficult time sleeping, be sure to mention it to your doctor so they can help you work around it. Meditation is effective when it comes to getting enough sleep, too, so you might want to try that as well.
Stay in Motion
It might sound counterintuitive to keep on moving when you are experiencing pain, but the pain can actually get worse if you don’t move your muscles. You do not have to partake in strenuous activities, such as weightlifting or running and jogging. Simply walking around and doing some minor stretches would already be a big help.
Yoga is a good alternative, too, as it can help you feel relaxed while moving your body at the same time.
There are different ways to cope with pain and to increase your tolerance, and the ones above are definitely a good start. These tips in addition to keeping in constant communication with your pain specialist will ensure that everything that you are doing is benefiting you and your body.
