5 Tips to Decrease Pain and Increase Energy

Living with chronic pain can change the way you do things daily. Whether your pain symptoms reside in your back, hips, neck, knees, or other areas, one thing rings true: dealing with discomfort is always the last thing anybody wants to do!

Fortunately, you can make some simple lifestyle changes to decrease your pain while increasing your energy. When you do these in addition to your physical therapy treatments, you can help recover from your pain and reach the physical goals you’ve been aiming towards.

In the meantime, check out these five super helpful PT tips about how basic self-care and regular exercise can result in better overall health:

Tips to improve your overall health

1. Get a good night’s sleep on the best mattress for your needs.

We spend a lot of time sleeping. Did you know that approximately ⅓ of your life is spent asleep? Because of this, it is important to make sure that your mattress is right for you.

The mattress you sleep on can affect the way your body feels when it’s awake. Since everyone sleeps differently, it is recommended that you choose a mattress according to your sleep style:

• Soft mattress. Side sleepers generally benefit from a softer mattress, as it is easier on their sides.
• Firm mattress. If you sleep on your back, a medium-to-firm mattress will help with those backaches.
• Memory foam. If you toss and turn all night or swap positions frequently, memory foam may be right for you. Because it conforms to the shape of your body, it may aid in your staying put.

2. Eat nutritious meals.

The food you eat is what fuels you throughout the day. Certain foods can provide you with more energy, in addition to reducing inflammation in your body. A few of these include:

• Salmon. Salmon provides omega-3 fatty acids, which help to relieve neck, back, and joint pain.
• Cherries. Cherries are a great source of antioxidants, relieving pain and inflammation.
• Ginger. The ginger plant has been known to relieve pain from migraines, muscle aches, and nausea. It is typically used as a dry spice for cooked meals or as fresh ginger in smoothies, juices, and salad dressings. 
• Hot peppers. This spicy treat has been known to relieve arthritis pain. Even if you aren’t a fan of the spice, a serving as small as half a teaspoon could help bring some relief.

3. Practice stress-relieving techniques.

While we are all aware of the psychological effects of stress, it can also increase physical pain. As a result, it’s critical to carry some stress-relieving tactics in your back pocket for when you need them.

A warm bath is an excellent technique to relieve tension while soothing sore muscles and joints. Breathing exercises can also aid relaxation by soothing the mind and body. Taking two or three deep breaths and slowly releasing them through your nose is an easy technique to do.

4. Boost your endorphins.

When you exercise, your body produces endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals that work as natural pain relievers. When you have aches and pains, exercising may seem tough, but even light movement can bring much-needed relief.

You can also increase your endorphin levels by inhaling a relaxing lavender aroma, listening to music, or eating chocolate. So you see, it’s a win-win situation all around!

5. Come in for your physical therapy treatments!

At our practice, we have proven methods that can help alleviate your pain and increase your energy. We will find where your pain originates so we can address it at the root, providing you with long lasting relief. Some common methods we employ for pain relief include:

• Massage therapy. A physical therapist is well-versed in the treatment of aching body parts. He or she can manipulate your aching muscles and joints using massage, which reduces inflammation and provides relief.
• Aquatic therapy. Water can stimulate nerves and provide resistance for exercise and strength training. It allows for easier movement, which can ease the stress on your body.
• Electrical Stimulation. E-stim uses various types of electrical currents directly to the tissues that can assist in blocking pain signals to the brain.
• Ice and heat therapies. Warming the muscles and tendons helps to make movement easier and less painful. Ice decreases inflammation while simultaneously giving pain relief.

You should notice increased energy and decreased pain if you incorporate some of these strategies into your regular routine. Call HealthQuest Physical Therapy today; we’ll assist you in achieving your physical objectives so you can live your desired life!