Chronic pain is a horrible thing to deal with. It impacts your ability to hang out with friends, do your job or even sleep at night. People go to great lengths to reduce their chronic pain symptoms, from diving headfirst into extreme diets to buying over-the-counter medication to numb the pain. But why not get to the root of the problem and yield some long-term results? Chronic tension headaches, chronic migraines and chronic back pain don’t have to be your normal. A healthier and happier life is just around the corner and the list below can help you get started on the path toward feeling better on the regular.
What Is The Most Common Form Of Chronic Pain?
You’re not alone in your struggles. In fact, more people can relate to what you go through than previously thought! A survey conducted by the National Institutes Of Health saw nearly 30% of American respondents saying lower back pain was their most common form of pain, followed very closely by headaches and migraines at 15%. More than 26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 64 suffer from back pain and the country sees a stunning $50 billion spent on back pain relief. If this doesn’t apply to you, never fear.
What Are Other Forms Of Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain can impact any part of your body. Gout is a notoriously painful form of arthritis that affects up to three million people every single year, making even basic tasks like typing and preparing food an ordeal. Although arthritis is more common in older Americans, younger Americans can experience the onset of these symptoms through constant repetitive-motion tasks. Overall, the annual cost of chronic pain in the United States (that of which includes healthcare expenses and income lost to the condition) has reached $100 billion.
How Does Chronic Pain Affect Everyday Life?
Unlike a temporary illness or recovering injury, chronic pain is particularly painful for its daily prevalence. Studies have shown up to 70% of chronic pain sufferers saying they have trouble concentrating on work or hobbies, with another 74% saying their energy level is noticeably lowered by their pain. Last, but not least, chronic pain makes sleeping incredibly difficult, creating a constant cycle of lacking the necessary sleep to recover from said pain in the first place.
How Does Chronic Pain Affect Work?
Chronic tension headaches and back pain don’t just make it difficult to have fun with friends or spend time with your kids. It can make work even more arduous than it already is. Workers lose an average of four hours per week due to a pain condition, many of which are caused or exacerbated by work in the first place! Headache was the most common pain condition affecting productive time, followed closely by various forms of back pain and musculoskeletal pain such as arthritis.
How Can I Reduce My Chronic Pain?
There are many ways to noticeably reduce the pain caused by a chronic health condition and get your quality of life back to where you want it. Got chronic tension headaches? Consider changing up your diet to reduce the amount of sugar and caffeine you consume. Struggling with chronic knee swelling? There are everyday tools you can use, such as epsom salts and heating pads, to tackle pain. When even over-the-counter products aren’t helping, however, it’s essential you seek out a back specialist or a family health center. A professional can help diagnose any unseen contributors to your chronic pain and offer you a variety of resources to change your life from the inside out. Normal is completely relative — how can you change your definition?