Stop Chronic Pain Before it Happens

ABSTRACT: There are many causes of chronic pain that might not easily be recognized. Learn more about chronic pain triggers and how to prevent them and perhaps alleviate chronic pain completely.

There are many things that can cause chronic pain, from disease to symptoms or side effects of medication, but there many little-known ordinary things most people do that can trigger chronic pain that you might not even know about. If one of these potential pain triggers is a culprit for your chronic pain, you can try making changes to see if your pain improves, or maybe even goes away completely.

#1: Common Back Pain Trigger: Bad Shoes

One of the most common complaints my doctors at the pain management center say people complain about is back pain. It’s so easy to ‘throw your back out’ and end up in pain from the simplest activities, but it’s more likely something as simple as the way you walk or sit is causing your back pain.

But it’s actually quite likely that your back pain might be caused by your shoes. Seriously, shoes! Shoes with thin, hard soles, with no cushioning or without any arch supports can quickly lead to back pain. If you must wear shoes that aren’t exactly foot and back-friendly, consider buying some appropriately fitted and customized cushioned sole inserts for your shoes. The difference this can make for some people is amazing.

#2: Common Hand/Finger/Wrist Pain Trigger: Electronics

Whether it’s your wrists from keyboarding at the computer too much, your fingers and arms from mousing around, or your thumbs from using your smartphone, electronic devices are all more than capable of causing pain in your wrist and finger joints that you might not even realize is caused by your electronics.

To help alleviate this chronic pain trigger, consider using a stylus to use your electronic devices, use voice-activated features whenever possible, or simply take plenty of breaks when using electronics. Stretches and breaks can give your body the rest it needs to avoid damage.

#3: Common Body-Wide Pain Trigger: Vehicles

Nothing jolts the body around more than being in a vehicle for long periods of time, traveling over speed bumps, changing lanes, and the stress and anxiety from dealing with other drivers, and you get tension and stress and a tight back and swollen legs and more. If you have to drive, there are some steps you can take to prevent chronic pain from time spent in the car.

First, take frequent breaks when on trips or traveling on the highway. Stretch whenever it is safe to do so. If around town driving requires you to drive a lot, consider consolidating as many trips as you can, so you make one trip for multiple errands, instead of multiple trips. Not only will this save you the aches and pains, but it’ll save on gas and the damaging effects to the environment from car pollution, too.

#4: Chronic Pain Trigger for Headaches: Overtired Eyes

If you find you have a stiff neck, headaches, pressure behind your eyes or in your forehead, it might be because you’re not resting your eyes properly during the day or you’re straining your eyes too much. If tension headaches are frequent, you might even have a need for glasses, even if you think your vision is fine.

To prevent this chronic headache pain trigger, you need to be see your eye doctor first, to make your you don’t have any eye conditions that are contributing to the pain and also to make certain you have the proper prescription for corrective lenses, should you need them. Some people might actually need glasses but not realize it. Then, if everything checks out, be sure to rest your eyes regularly and perform eye exercises for strengthening, particularly when spending long times in front of a computer screen or staring at electronic devise.

#5: Chronic Full-Body Pain Trigger: How You Sleep

Whether it’s a bad mattress, not using a good pillow for neck support, or the position in which you sleep, how you sleep is absolutely potentially one pain trigger for your entire body. Sleeping on your belly or flat on your back can cause back and neck pain, and sleeping on your side without supporting your legs can cause knee and hip pain.

The solution is to have the best mattress for your needs, properly firm pillows for head and neck support and putting a pillow between your legs at the knees, your knees and hips are supported in a more properly aligned position. Try not to toss and turn too much while sleeping, because the twisting on the back is bad for chronic pain.

These simple changes in your life can help you feel less pain during the day, from sources you probably never considered might be causing your pain.