Seven ways ... to cope with pain

Acute (short term) pain is an essential response to danger and we should be grateful for it; a rare genetic mutation leaves some individuals unable to feel pain and at great risk of burns and injury. Pain is your signal to move away from danger, stop using a damaged or broken body part or is a natural part of healing.
But not for more than three months

Chronic (long term) pain that lasts more than three months serves no useful function and can make life thoroughly miserable. It affects up to one-in-four people and common causes are osteoarthritis (“wear and tear” of joints such as knees), lower back pain, nerve pain due to shingles, diabetes, chemotherapy or postoperative pain. It is notoriously hard to treat chronic pain; prevention or early intervention is the best bet. Start with your GP to get a diagnosis and rule out any treatable underlying cause. Ask for referral to a pain clinic if the condition is becoming persistent and not improving.
Try Tens

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (Tens) is a battery-operated device with two pads that you put on your skin to create an electrical current. It “distracts” the brain and increases chemical endorphins – the brain’s natural painkillers. Tens is cheap (available on Amazon), safe and has no serious side effects. The evidence is mixed and limited, and positive effects tend to wear off in time, but it is certainly worth a try.




Source: theguardian

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