I cannot pretend to fully understand what it’s like to live with chronic pain. As someone still often referred to as a “youngster” by my senior relatives and friends, how could I possibly grasp the experience of living in a senior’s body, especially one burdened by chronic pain? While I have encountered intense pain, it has always been with the reassurance that it won’t last forever. During these acute moments, the phrase, “This too shall pass,” often provided comfort. But what happens when the pain doesn’t pass?
Many seniors in my life endure daily battles with chronic pain, offering me a brief glimpse—a peek through a cracked window—into how it affects their day-to-day living. According to the Canadian Pain Task Force Report, approximately one in three people over 65 experience chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting three to six months or longer than expected. Given these high statistics, particularly among seniors, it is crucial to understand ways to manage and cope with this silent epidemic. In this article, we will focus on strategies that can help you manage chronic pain. These approaches can offer relief and improve your quality of life.
General Strategies for Chronic Pain:
Keep moving: For many individuals suffering from chronic pain the temptation to not move and remain stationary is often tempting. However, keeping active and limber plays an important role in keeping the pain at bay. Regular gentle exercises can help maintain joint flexibility, strengthen muscles, and reduce pain. Ask your physician, physiotherapist, or nurse practitioner what exercises are appropriate for you.
Setting Realistic goals: Setting realistic, personalized goals can greatly enhance both your physical and mental well-being while managing chronic pain. Focusing on what you CAN achieve, rather than just your limitations, empowers you to take control of your life. This approach allows you to recognize your abilities and track your progress, fostering a sense of accomplishment and resilience.
Understanding your Medications: Knowing how each medication works, its potential side effects, and the correct dosage can significantly impact your pain management plan. It’s crucial to follow your prescribed dosages carefully, as taking more than recommended can lead to serious health risks, including overdose. Always communicate openly with your healthcare provider, ask questions, and stay informed about any new prescriptions or changes to your regime. Being knowledgeable about your medications empowers you to use them effectively and safely, helping you achieve better control over your pain while avoiding dangerous complications.
Heat and Cold therapy: Heat: Apply a warm compress or take a warm bath to soothe sore muscles and joints. If using an electric blanket, be cautious, as it can reach unsafe temperatures. To prevent skin damage or overheating, avoid falling asleep with it on.
Cold: Use an ice pack to reduce inflammation and numb painful areas. Always place a towel or cloth between your skin and the ice pack to prevent frostbite on your skin.
Supportive Devices: Supportive devices such as canes, walkers, braces, and orthotic inserts can significantly assist in managing chronic pain by providing stability, reducing strain on painful joins, and improving overall mobility. These devices help distribute weight more evenly, alleviate pressure on affected areas, and prevent further injury by promoting proper posture and movement.
Living with chronic pain, particularly for seniors, is an experience that demands resilience, patience, and adaptation. While I may not fully comprehend the daily struggles faced by those enduring chronic pain, I hope that the strategies discussed in this article offer some guidance and support. It’s essential to remember that managing pain is not about eliminating it completely but about finding ways to improve your quality of life, even in small increments. As Sharon Salzberg so wisely stated in her book, Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness, “The difference between misery and happiness depends on what we do with our attention.”
Be sure to check out Serving Hands Senior Care’s Facebook page to view a condensed video about helpful tips for living with chronic pain.
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