Are you struggling to find how best to manage your pain? Finding the answer and trying to fix it is probably not the ideal approach; this is because the cause of your pain is never just one thing. Pain is always physical and emotional. It’s multi-factorial and multi-dimensional. Put simply, pain is complicated.
I’m going to talk about some of these factors and, hopefully, you will recognise them in yourself and see how they might be relevant in your own journey.
One thing to consider when trying to manage your pain is to prioritise looking after yourself. This is extremely difficult if you have a family to care for, or a demanding job. But putting boundaries in place to free up time for prioritising, protecting and looking after yourself is vital.
Engage in pro-social behaviour. That means behaving in a way that is intended to help others. This could be connecting with friends and family or becoming involved in your community. Doing so reduces stress and can help turn the volume down on your own pain.
Don’t forget that you’re not lazy! Too often, people with persistent pain blame themselves for not trying hard enough. I always advise people to give themselves time to heal and allow breaks for rest.
Sleep is a priority. Poor sleep makes pain worse. If you can look at ways to improve your sleep this will form the foundation of your recovery.
Keep yourself moving. Even if it isn’t very much movement, it counts. The saying goes, ‘motion is lotion’, so imagine that the movement is lubricating your body. If possible, go outside as fresh air lifts your mood and can also help with your sleep.
Looking after your diet and nutrition also has an impact on pain and the way you feel. Your diet affects inflammation in the body, your mood, hormones, energy levels and the way you feel. Aim to avoid packaged, factory-produced foods and try to eat a wide variety of plants and whole foods.
Trying to do it all of this on your own is difficult. Maybe you have tried it already. Having support is another key to success. It could be a group, or it could be someone like me who can also offer guidance.
Remember that pain is always a combination of the physical and emotional. This is the Mind-Body approach and I always consider the two together as they influence each other. It’s a holistic approach to recovery.
I have decades of experience in health care, including years spent working as a senior physiotherapist in the NHS. I’ve taught Pilates to hundreds of people. And I’m a qualified psychotherapist with a suite of therapy skills to draw on.
By working together, we can plot your pathway to a healthier, happier life.
