Remember Over the Counter Pain Relief Can Help
Over the counter pain relief can be a great way to help you manage your pain. While it is not as strong as prescription medications, it can still help to reduce the pain you are dealing with. Over the counter medications can be found in several different forms, such as pills, patches, creams, and gels.
Get Some Rest
Rest is an important part of managing your pain after an accident. While it may be difficult with the pain you are dealing with, rest is one of the best ways to help reduce the pain you are feeling and give your body time to heal itself. Do not push yourself to do activities that leave you hurting when you can. Plus, make sure to sleep as much as you can to allow your body to rest. If taking some anti-inflammatories helps ease your pain, then rest while they work. The more you can let your body rest now, the less likely you are to reaggravate your injury before getting in for your appointment.
Use Heat and Cold to Your Advantage
Heat and cold are two of the best ways to help with muscle aches and pains. When you are dealing with an injury that is causing you pain, heat will help relax your muscles and reduce soreness. On the other hand, if your injury is causing swelling or inflammation, then cold will do a better job of reducing this swelling. It is important to remember that you should not use heat or cold for more than 20 minutes at a time. If you are using ice, you should also remember to wrap it in a towel before applying it to your skin.
Exercise Is Important for Pain Management
Exercising is one of the best ways to deal with chronic pain because it helps strengthen your muscles and improve their flexibility. By exercising regularly, you can also increase your endurance which will make it easier for you to deal with everyday activities that may have been difficult before because of your injury or illness. Just remember that you were recently injured, so you should not move around in ways that cause pain or you could not have done prior to the injury. Take it slow and stop if it hurts.
TENS Machines Can Ease Some of Your Pain
TENS machines are small devices that can be used at home. They work by sending electrical impulses to your nerves, which helps to reduce pain and increase your range of motion. While TENS machines are not for everyone, they can be a great way to help manage your pain until you can get in for an appointment with a doctor.
Don’t Forget About Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is another form of pain management that can be quite effective. A massage therapist can help you to relax, which will make it easier for you to deal with your pain. Massages can also help to increase your range of motion, which will make it easier for you to move around and reduce the amount of pain you are dealing with.
Don’t Be Afraid to Try Alternative Medicine
While most people think of alternative medicine as a last resort, it can be a great way to help manage your pain. There are many different alternative treatments that can be used to help you deal with chronic pain and other symptoms. Some of the most common and beneficial alternative treatments include acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic care.
Don’t Let Your Pain Control Your Life
While it is important to deal with your pain, you need to remember that it does not have to control your life. You should not let your pain keep you from doing the things that you love. If you are dealing with chronic pain, it is important for you to get help so that you can start living a normal life again. If your pain goes from manageable to unbearable, then you need to either head to the emergency room, or contact your doctors and find out if they can move up your appointment to a sooner date and time.