Pain, stress, and tension are closely related. Muscles tighten and put pressure on nerves resulting in even more pain.
It’s possible to activate your body’s natural relaxation response to help reduce the tension using mind-body tools like:
Helpful videos
Free Apps [Updated: 10/14/21 with new research link.]
People with chronic pain often do too much when they’re having good days and not enough when they’re having bad days. Pacing/moderation has become a common tool for people living with pain to help provide them with balance. It includes setting time limits, slowing down (start low, go slow), breaking up tasks, and taking frequent short breaks. But be careful not to let pacing become an excuse for not being active or avoiding pain. Doing so can add more focus to the pain, worsen symptoms, and reduce physical stamina. Pain doesn't mean harm. It's the result of an overly-protective system trying to protect itself. Our bodies become over-sensitized. Pacing should instead be used to gradually increase what we can do, despite the pain. The difference is in the goal and execution. Keep moving forward! Learn more and do more
The University of Michigan Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center has put together a great resource to use as part of your personal approach for managing chronic pain - Pain Guide.
Here is a short video from Dr. Daniel Clauw explaining what Pain Guide is and what it does. Check it out and sign-up to access the tools. I've added a link to Pain Guide in the Resources section of this site. |
WelcomeChronic Pain Champions is an information resource/blog/support group to help people living with nonmalignant pain, their families and friends, as well as healthcare professionals. Learn more about this site and the author. Archives
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Tom Bowen Chronic Pain Champions |