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What is chronic pain? -

Chronic pain is a broad, blanket term for any painful sensation that is resistant to treatment and stays with you for your whole life.

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How common is chronic pain? -

For various reasons, 50 million adults suffer form a condition associated with chronic pain in the United States alone. That's about 20% of the nation's population.

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What can cause it? -

Chronic pain can be caused by any number of things. Injuries, high levels of stress, and neurological conditions are just a few of the myriad of possible causes of chronic pain.

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Different kinds of chronic pain -

Pain can express itself in countless ways, and manifests in many different types of sensations. Some people who live with chronic pain feel sharp, shooting pains in specific parts of their body, while others can feel a heavy, aching pain across their entire body. 

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Different possible conditions -

Conditions associated with chronic pain can range from more common conditions like arthritis or Lyme disease, to more rare and mysterious conditions like fibromyalgia, a neurological condition that hasn't been completely explained yet.

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What you can do to ease your pain -

Thankfully, regardless of the sources of your pain, there are plenty of things that can be done to help you lead a long, healthy, and happy life.

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Get familiar with your affliction -

The first step in any situation is to pinpoint what exactly the problem is. It's important to spend time with your pain and become familiar with it, so you can articulate exactly how you feel and where you feel it to a doctor when the time comes.

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Identify external factors -

Think about the events of your life. Is there anything in your day-to-day routine, or maybe something more big picture, that could be causing you pain? Often times, a high school sports injury can come back to haunt us, or stress from work or school can start to manifest itself physically.

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Come to terms with your pain -

Being constantly in pain is, of course, not an easy way to live. It can be difficult and disheartening, but it is important to come to terms with the way things are. Denying or ignoring your pain will only lead to denying yourself the relief that you need and deserve.

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Do your own research, but trust professionals as well -

Since chronic pain can be so elusive and can come about for so many reasons, it's smart to dive into any research you can find on your specific symptoms. There is a whole world of factors that can inflict pain out there, so finding similar stories can help you zero in on what exactly is going on. That being said, doctors know best, and it's important to trust that they'll take your own information into serious consideration when recommending your next steps.

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Consult a pain specialist -

If you have no idea where your pain is coming from, it could be helpful to visit a pain specialist. Their entire field is focused on treating and finding sources of pain, so they make a great first stop on your path to relief and will be able to recommend you to other specialists who can also help.

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Consult a neurologist -

For many people who haven't suffered from any injuries that could be causing pain, the problem often ends up being neurological. Sometimes our nervous system doesn't behave exactly how it's meant to, and tells our brain that it's in pain when there isn't any physical reason for it. Neurologists can help determine whether or not this is the case.

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Practice deep breathing and meditation -

Meditation techniques aren't just for monks and yogis. Numerous studies have shown that meditation, especially meditation that incorporates mindfulness and deep breathing techniques, can help regulate the nervous system and soften our body and brain, to help reduce things like stress and pain.

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Stay active, if you can -

Of course, some conditions associated with chronic pain make exercise and strenuous activity impossible. However, if you're able to, staying active can make a huge difference in how you feel. Keeping your body in shape also reduces the chances of feeling more pain in the future.

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Endorphins: The brain's pain reliever -

Something almost magical happens when we exercise: our brain produces chemicals known as endorphins, which not only activate the pleasure center in our brains, but also help block our pain receptors.

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Cut back on drinking -

We all know alcohol isn't exactly great for us, but it can be particularly important to abstain from heavy drinking if you suffer from chronic pain. Sure, it might provide some relief in the moment, but in the long run it will inhibit your ability to sleep deeply and can cause inflammation all over your body.

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Join a support group -

If sometimes living a life of chronic pain feels like too much to bear, it's important to keep in mind that there are others out there who suffer from the same affliction, and there are support groups all over the world that help each other through their physical and emotional pain.

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Avoid habits like smoking -

Apart from causing cancer, smoking also causes very damaging inflammation that can inhibit the blood flow throughout your body and cause you further pain and discomfort.

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Eat a healthy diet -

Healthy eating habits are essential for feeling good in general, and they become even more important when you are struggling with chronic pain. In order to give your body the best chance at feeling better, you've got to feed it the right stuff.

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Treat yourself to a massage -

Everyone deserves a nice, relaxing massage every once in a while, and those who live with chronic pain do so especially. Whether you go for a soothing oil massage or a productive and vigorous deep tissue session, the experience can provide some much-appreciated relief.

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Research medications -

Medicating for chronic pain can be tricky, because many painkillers on the market are highly addictive with high chances of abuse. However, there are medications out there that can truly help people, and a blend of pharmaceutical and homeopathic care can be just the trick for easing your pain.

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Focus on your posture -

Bad posture can turn into a vicious cycle of back pain. Once one gets into the habit of keeping bad posture, back pain is sure to follow close behind. Once that pain sets in, it becomes hard to stretch back out to where your posture should be, so it's important to be diligent about keeping proper posture. 

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Try to keep your stress to a minimum -

Stress is one of the leading causes of chronic pain, and one that goes unnoticed far too often. Being stressed causes our body to tense up and puts our nervous system on high alert. If that goes on for months, your stress will quickly begin to manifest itself as physical pain such as headaches, achy joints, or shooting pains in the gut.

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Always get a good night's sleep -

There's not much out there that sleeping well doesn't help with, and chronic pain is no exception. Studies have shown a direct correlation between the quality of sleep one gets at night and physical pain levels the next day.

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Stay hydrated -

Sometimes it's hard, especially in the summertime, to stay hydrated, but drinking enough water every day can work wonders for your body. Water helps ease the strain put on your joints, making them less susceptible to aches and pains.

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Practice myofascial release -

Myofascial release is a common technique used by massage therapists that you can easily practice by yourself at home. It is particularly helpful for muscle pain, as it helps stretch, flatten out, and loosen any kinks or knots that might have formed.

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Apply hot and cold pressure -

Alternating hot and cold pressures on any localized area of pain is a wonderful way to get some quick relief. The heat helps promote blood flow and allows your muscles to relax, while ice packs afterward can help reduce swelling and inflammation.

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Take things one day at a time -

When living with chronic pain, learning where your pain is coming from and discovering the skills and techniques you need to deal with it can be overwhelming. It's important to not get too caught up in it all. Remember that there are avenues of relief available to you, and just take things as they come—one day at a time.

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Remember you're not alone -

Hundreds of millions of people across the globe live with chronic pain, and they all know to some degree or another how you feel. Chronic pain, like any of life's other hurdles, isn't something you have to face alone. Accept the support that's offered to you, and remember you're not alone.

Sources: (WebMD) (Healthline) (Medical News Today)

See also: Diseases doctors often get wrong

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