Managing Chronic Pain

Many of our customers are no strangers to chronic pain. Chronic pain is typically defined as pain that lasts for more than 3 months or beyond normal healing time. Chronic pain can make it hard to work, take care of yourself, and just do the everyday things you enjoy. It can also affect your mood and mental health.

How do you manage your day-to-day when you live with chronic pain? Here are 4 tips that we have learned and shared from the #chronicpain community.

1. Reduce the stress in your life.

Put simply, stress intensifies chronic pain. Negative feelings caused from stress can increase the body’s sensitivity to pain. Learning to control your stress through techniques to promote relaxation is one way to make living with chronic pain more bearable. Activities like listening to calming music, mental imagery relaxation, deep breathing, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation can help to lift your mood and soothe your mind.

2. Maintain a healthy lifestyle.

It goes without saying, if you keep up with an active regimen, you’re one step closer to managing your chronic pain. Boosting your endorphins through exercise can help improve your mood while also blocking pain signals. It also strengthens muscles, which can help prevent re-injury and further pain. Supporting this with a consistent and healthy diet is equally as important. A well-balanced diet helps your digestive process, keeps your weight under control, and improves your blood sugar levels. Ideally you should be consuming a low-fat, low-sodium diet with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, cereals, lean meat, cheese, milk and yoghurt. Lastly, don’t smoke – it can worsen chronic pain.

3. Join a chronic pain support group

Meeting others that also live with chronic pain, and who understand what you’re going through, can help you feel less alone. You may find some wisdom or share some wisdom of your own to people coping with pain, together. With the magic of the internet, it is easy to jump online and find a group in the comfort of your own home. Consider professional counselling to help you cope better and to develop a healthier attitude. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

4. Get a massage for chronic pain relief

You may be a regular at the physio, and best friends with your local OT, but for a quick and convenient way to manage chronic pain (consistently) at home? Get a massage. Massage can help reduce stress and relieve tension – double win – and it is being used by people living with all sorts of chronic pain, including back and neck pain. Depending on where the source of your chronic pain is, you may even be able to do it yourself or ask a family member to assist you using an effective massage oil like 100% Pure Oil of Emu as a fast-acting anti-inflammatory. If you visit a masseuse, make sure to bring a bottle of Emu Spirit to substitute their oils.




Why is emu oil your secret weapon to pain relief?

Studies have revealed emu oil to be a top choice topical massage oil. For a massage, emu oil provides the added benefit of fast pain relief, due to its high concentration of Omega 3, 6 & 9 fatty acids which helps reduce inflammation. Additionally, it absorbs quickly into the skin and contains natural healing qualities of Vitamin A, E and Oleic Acid for added benefits to pain relief. Used over time, and in conjunction with taking emu oil orally, it has helped many people cope with chronic pain on a daily basis.