Slamming your finger in a car door. Scraping your knee. Touching a hot stove. Breaking a bone or stubbing a toe. All of these situations have at least one thing in common: PAIN.
Everyone experiences pain at some point in his or her life. Many times, it can be isolated to a single incident, but for over 100 million people suffering from chronic pain, it is a way of life.
Established in 2001, the month of September is recognized as Pain Awareness Month, a time to learn and understand the underlying causes of pain and raise public awareness for effective pain management. So, what should you do if you deal with any type of pain on a regular basis?
See A Physician
Pain can start out as dull or achy but gradually develop into something much more constant and serious. Anytime this occurs, it’s always good to see a primary care physician or pain specialist to ensure it’s not serious. The earlier you can get pain under control, the better.
Start Moving Around
Many people have become accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle, which can cause chronic neck, back or leg pain. Studies have shown the negative effects from being seated too long, so getting up throughout the day and stretching can be beneficial. Also, beginning a regular routine of exercise is a wonderful way to circulate blood throughout the body and alleviating pain you may be experiencing.
Stretching
On the notion of exercise, there are certain ailments that can accompany being active, which is why it’s always pivotal to stretch before and after a workout. No matter how active or strenuous the workout may have been, your body needs to be properly warmed up and cooled down to avoid injury. Also, researching varying types of physical activity that have low or minimal impact on your body, especially your joints, helps reduce potential injury.
Types of Pain
There are numerous types of pain that individuals can experience, but generally the most common are:
- Arthritis
- Back Pain
- Headaches
- Neck Pain
- Pelvic/Hip Pain
- Visceral (internal) Pain
If you are experiencing any of these types of pain, contact one of our specialists or physical therapists at Methodist McKinney Hospital to help you back on the road to recovery.
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