When Your Pain Meds Aren't Quite Cutting It

Pain meds can go a long way towards helping you reduce and manage pain, but they do not always remove pain completely. If you are using your pain meds as intended and are still experiencing some discomfort, then you should consider adding one or more of the following non-pharmaceutical pain relief tactics to your routine.

1. Hypnosis

You may think of hypnosis as a treatment for smoking and other bad habits, but it can be helpful in changing your mindset towards pain, too. A qualified hypnotist can make suggestions to you while you are under hypnosis that help reframe how you think about the pain so that even when you do experience it, the pain does not bother you as much. Even one session can make a huge difference in your perception of the pain; however, some patients need two or three sessions for maximum results.

2. Massage

Even if the pain you're experiencing is not muscular, it can lead to muscle tension. This can, in turn, make the pain worse. Massage is excellent at alleviating the muscle tension, which can help reduce your pain. After a massage, you will also have an easier time relaxing, which tends to help diminish pain. Everyone has a different preference when it comes to the type of massage you seek, but Swedish massages and Shiatsu tend to be good options when pain relief is the goal.

3. Guided Meditation

Meditation is an excellent practice to help relax your mind and reframe your perception of pain. Many people try mediation but give up because they feel as though they cannot clear their minds as they are supposed to. That's why guided meditation is a better choice when your goal is pain relief. You will listen to instructions and follow them, and in doing so, your mind will clear without you really having to try. Look for guided meditations intended for pain relief; YouTube is a good source.

4. Therapy

Another option is to see a therapist who has experience helping chronic pain patients. They can help you deal with the psychological impact of pain in your life and give you strategies for dealing with the social, emotional, and mental fallout that can come when your pain acts up. When you deal with these aspects of the pain, the pain becomes less central to your life, which can actually help the pain diminish over time.

For more information, contact a company like the Headache and Pain Center.