By Zane Josie
Living with chronic pain is not easy. Patients dealing with pain often complain of stress and anxiety, and one part of pain management is not to be entirely dependent on medicines and painkillers. Doctors may recommend relaxation techniques for managing chronic pain, as these techniques help in easing the mind. In this post, we are discussing how relaxation can help patients suffering from chronic pain.
What exactly is chronic pain?
Typically, chronic pain lasts for at least a while, often six months or more. Unlike acute pain, chronic pain is often hard to manage, and patients may not get the relief expected, out of medications alone. It is known that chronic pain can cause stress, depression and anxiety, interfering with the day-to-day activities. Relaxation therapies are often used as an alternative treatment for management of chronic pain. Patients are asked to follow a relaxation script for pain, and there are a wide range of techniques that doctors may recommend.
How does relaxation help?
When there is pain and tension in the muscles, it can cause more pain, because of muscle tightening. This increases the pressure on muscles, which can make the condition worse. The purpose of relaxation is to help in breaking that chain of actions and sensations in the body. In most cases of chronic pain, doctors start with deep breathing, which helps in reducing tension and stress. For deep breathing, you need to be in a comfortable position and must take deep inhalations, focusing on each breath. As you practice more, relaxation will come naturally to you, and while you are exhaling, imagine all the stress and tension leaving your body.
Understanding the importance of relaxation
Relaxation is basically about allowing your mind to focus on anything but the pain. With more time, you will realize that you don’t have to try hard to breathe normally, and will not painkillers every now and then. It may take a while to learn relaxation techniques, and there are different kinds of scripts and options to consider. Talk to your doctor, let them know that you are interested in alternative forms of pain management, and they may recommend exercises related to relaxation, meditation and mindfulness.
Final word
Done right, a good relaxation script is all you need to fall asleep after a long day. It also helps in reducing anxiety, which often is an ignored mental health issue in many adults.
