professional massage therapist treating a female patient s injured neck

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Chronic pain is something that countless people live with each and every year. Depending on the source and severity of your pain, you might find it difficult to get around and do simple tasks on a daily basis. 

Up until recently, it was commonplace for doctors to recommend strong pain medication and a great deal of rest in order to manage such pain, but it has since come to light that it is far better to be as active as possible and avoid certain medications that can often cause more harm than good.

These days, there are a number of ways in which you might choose to manage your chronic pain that don’t involve strong medication. Ultimately, you should always look to consult with your physician before making any decisions regarding your approach to pain management, but if you are interested in steering clear of medication, here are three options that are worth considering.

1. Physical Therapy

There is a reason why there is such a high demand for skilled physical therapists at this point in time. The treatments offered by physical therapists have helped a great many people manage their chronic pain and get back to their regular lives.

The treatments offered by physios are designed to increase flexibility and mobility as well as strengthen certain muscles. If your chronic pain is the result of an injury, your physio will be able to offer a course of treatment specifically designed to help you recover.

If you are interested in learning more about how a physio might be able to help you manage your chronic pain, you can get in touch with the experts at ATL Physio for more information.

2. Light Activity

Even though your chronic pain might make you feel as though you should rule out running a marathon any time soon, staying completely inactive in regard to exercise is typically a mistake. In many cases, avoiding physical activity can lead to muscle stiffness that actually makes your chronic pain worse in the long run.

Consider incorporating light activity into your regular health and wellness routine. Even a brisk walk three or four times a week can go a long way to keeping your joints and muscles lose and relaxed. 

If you are thinking about starting a particular workout routine in order to help manage your chronic pain, make sure that you have consulted with your physician first so that you can be certain you are taking the right steps to manage your pain.

3. Focus on Your Mental Health

There is no denying the direct link between your physical health and your mental health. If you are living with chronic pain, it is important to make sure that you are doing all that you can to keep your mental status as healthy as possible.

For the most part, stress and anxiety results in tension, tightness, and even pain in certain areas of the body. By doing what you can to get a handle on your stress levels, you can better manage your chronic pain as well.