Sometimes chronic pain is unavoidable and makes life most unbearable. The best we can do is to learn how to manage pain flare-ups. A pain flare-up is a sudden increase in the intensity of the chronic pain problem. Though pain level changes it is not a new pain.
When you are sure that your pain fits the above platform, you must try to identity the reason for flare up.
Causes for pain flare-ups
- Physical activity – Something as simple as bending the wrong way or sitting too long in a vehicle can trigger pain crisis.
- Stress – When under emotional or physical stress we become more sensitive to pain. The stress in our body is carried where it hurts most.
- Lack of sleep – Staying awake for long hours than needed or even for an hour late than usual can increase the possibility of sensitivity towards pain.
- More work – Trying to do too many things at a time or doing an activity longer duration.
- Wrong foods – Eating foods that cause inflammation, fluid retention or dehydration can aggravate pain.
- Virus attack – A flu infection or common cold can cause achy muscles and joints which can easily increase chronic pain.
When the communication between the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system is upset then it causes the flare-up and the trigger can be anything, not even the causes mentioned above.
Here are few tips to manage this flare-up:
- Pacing – You can manage chronic pain flare-up by learning to slow down and pace your activities. Overdoing can cause a crash within few days, whereas pacing will actually help to get more done in the long run.
- Don’t Shut down – Too much of inactivity can also lead to pain aggravation, so even if rest is necessary a balance should be struck between work and rest.
- Don’t Panic – A bad flare-up can set off many alarms, this mindset will only increase the pain. Medication is a good technique that can help.
- Movement – The right movement can help manage pain when a flare-up occurs. Stretches or yoga can reduce the tight muscles. Even a nice walk in the park can help both mentally and physically.
- Massage therapy – Try to get a good massage, with a certified therapist.
Creating the right kind of pain management strategy can help you manage flare=ups and all the steps above can be the tools to support it.
At any point if the pain aggrevates seek medical help immediately. your doctor will examine you and can also advise you about other modalities of chronic pain management.