No pain, no gain. A popular adage that sells the ability to withstand pain as a virtue. Especially for those looking to push toxic masculinity. But one may want to rethink subscribing to this school of though.
Pain is a lot more than just a physical sensation; it reaches into every aspect of our lives, affecting how we think and move, and even our interactions with others. Whether it has stemmed from a traumatic injury, a chronic condition, or even just long-term wear and tear, persistent discomfort has a ripple effect; it impacts work, relationships and emotional wellbeing among other things. And for many, pain management becomes a cycle of temporary relief rather than genuine healing.
The Importance of Finding Lasting Relief
Ignoring pain, or masking it with short-term fixes, can lead to worsening conditions over time. Just seeking to push through has a tendency to aggravate the cause of the issue, often to a point where it becomes unbearable. Using medication to block out the pain works in the short term, but can make things worse, especially if you are medicating in order to keep working; pain is the body’s way of signaling that something is not OK, so if we block it out in order to keep using the affected area, the pain will only get worse and necessitate stronger doses.
It’s no surprise that the opioids crisis has been driven in large part by cases where people were prescribed medication for genuine need; dependency is often a result of short-term reliance becoming more chronic. Unless pain management is supported by injury rehab and the help of a professional such as a personal injury chiropractor, recovery will be slow at best. While medication has its place, it cannot be the only arrow in the quiver.
How Pain Affects Everyday Life
When pain becomes constant, it reshapes every area of our lives. Tasks that we take for granted such as climbing stairs or carrying groceries become sources of increased discomfort. Over time, the impact of this builds, becoming frustrating, exhausting, and even driving us to withdraw socially. Because it is largely invisible, many people also feel misunderstood as others struggle to grasp how serious it actually is. It’s even worse for women; even healthcare professionals often underestimate the true level of pain a woman deals with.
Proactively Managing Chronic Pain
Managing pain effectively requires a multifaceted approach, with each aspect playing an important role. Professional care is important, and lifestyle adjustments can help reduce discomfort, improving overall wellbeing.
- Movement and exercise: Gentle, consistent movement such as stretching or yoga, and guided physical therapy can help maintain mobility and reduce stiffness.
- Posture awareness: Improved posture can greatly reduce musculoskeletal pain. How you sit, stand, and move can prevent further strain and misalignment.
- Professional care: A chiropractor or physio can help to correct imbalances and relieve tension, as well as supporting natural healing.
- Rest and support: If your work involves movement that is aggravating, some time off or a change of duties may be necessary; the point needs to be made that continuing the same patterns will eventually lead to you not being able to work at all. Some ergonomic adjustments to your workstation as well as at home may also help.
It’s human nature to want to show pain isn’t getting to you, but no person should have to just accept it as part of life. Whatever the cause and no matter the outside factors, we all should be able to expect a pain-free existence, and you deserve to feel better permanently.
This article is a partnered post that contains affiliate links.