Controlling chronic pain blog post converted into a PDF file. Please share if you find it interesting.

1. Controlling Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a fact of life for a lot of
people. According to the National
Institute on Drug Abuse, reoccurring
physical discomfort affects
approximately 116 million people in the
country. And while there are medical
ways in which those that suffer from this
ailment can be treated, there’s always an
underlying worry that the very thing that
can be used to control chronic pain could be the foundation for an addiction. The potential for
addiction looms so large for some with chronic pain they may forgo the notion of taking opioids to
cope with the pain, especially those that are recovering from previous addictions. Unfortunately, this
decision still leaves them to deal with the pain that can make it hard to go from day to day.
Fortunately, if you fall into this category, there are alternative means of dealing with chronic pain that
steer clear of medication. These methods are proven to be safe and effective methods to help those that
have battled with opioid addiction in the past get the relief from the constant pain that threatens to
ensnare them daily.
Alternate Paths of Relief
Not only are there other ways to find chronic pain relief that don’t involve medication, the alternatives
that exist are diverse enough to fit different sensibilities. Some of the more common alternative paths
that can be taken to find pain relief include:
• Acupuncture – Arguably the most famous form of Eastern medical treatment, it’s almost hard to believe that

2. this practice was once considered bizarre. And the way in which the act of strategically placing needles
into specific points on the skin goes about providing pain relief is still up for debate. Yet studies have
indicated that the practice provides significant relief for a wide range of ailments. These range from
relatively common conditions like sports injuries or back injuries to more serious issues such as
fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.
• Massage therapy – Even without pain, getting a massage can be one of the more relaxing things you can do.
But it is increasingly thought that massages are not just something that should be confined to a day
spa. There has beenevidence that suggests that undergoing massage therapy has the ability to lessen the
chronic pain that is caused by rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, neck injuries, and back injuries.
• Wellness activities – On the surface, this method may seem a bit counter intuitive to some. After all, we’ve
been somewhat conditioned to think on some level that if something hurts, it’s wise to give it rest.
However, it has been shown that engaging in a regular regiment of exercise is beneficial for alleviating
chronic pain. It has also been proven to help provide boosts in mood and energy. With that being said,
engaging in wellness activities is not something that you should just do on your own accord. You
should always consult with a physician beforehand to cobble together a wellness routine that can
maximize its pain relieving benefits.
• Spiritual Care – The term spirituality could mean various things to various people. However, the connection
with a higher power – which is a prime tenant for recovering addicts involved in a 12-step program –
can provide a measure of pain relief. Some of the methods that are tied to spiritual care can also be
physical in nature, such as yoga. Other methodologies involve digging into a connection with the
higher power through traditional spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, or mysticism. These
latter practices connect to the achievement of an altered state of consciousness, which can ultimately be
instrumental in the alleviation of pain.
Research for Relief
Much like recovery from addiction, seeking out relief from chronic pain is a personal journey. It is one
that is marked by self discovery, as it is important that you take a sufficient amount of time to find an
alternate means of chronic pain management that works well for you. And it is important; after all,
your well-being lay in the balance.