Have you ever had pain that seems to just come out of nowhere? It can be SO frustrating to know where to start when it comes to getting rid of the pain. In my experience as a physical therapist and a patient with Fibromyalgia, I have learned that there are many different things that can drive pain. Today I want to talk about 5 main drivers of pain that I see every day and what you can do about that.
Physical Activity
Sometimes, we over do it and do more activity than our body is ready for. Sometimes we spend too much time in a certain positions and our body gets uncomfortable which causes pain. If you find yourself getting pain with certain activities, focus on what activities you were doing and modify from there.
Physical Activity Action Tip
Pay attention to what you are doing when you notice your pain increase. Is it a certain position? Does it happen after a certain amount of time? If so, this is your key to change positions. As a general rule of thumb, I recommend changing positions or changing what you're doing if your pain increases more than 1-2 points on a 0-10 pain scale.
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Diet
I don't like the word "diet" because it sounds like something strict. Really what I am talking about is anything that you eat. Certain foods can lead to an inflammatory response which can lead to bloating and/or discomfort. If you know there are certain foods that you are more sensitive to, you may want to cut them out or limit them, especially if you are already in pain.
Diet Action Tip
If you get pain after eating, make notes of what foods you are eating and see if you notice a pattern. If you get stuck, contact your physician, a nutritionist, or a registered dietitian to come up with a food plan that works for you!
Emotions/Stress
These are HUGE drivers of pain that do not get nearly enough attention. Stress and emotions can trigger a fight or flight response and put the body into overdrive in terms of protecting you which can amplify pain responses. Also, we tend to hold ourselves in tense postures when we are stressed and emotional which goes back to point #1.
Emotions/Stress Action Tip
If you notice that your pain gets worse when you are stressed or in an emotional state, the best way to get rid of this pain is to go to the source, and and address what caused the pain or flare up in the first place. I know it seems like a lot of work, but it is SO important. If you need help with this process, send me a DM to set up a free strategy call!
Weather
Sometimes our body is very sensitive to pressure change which stimulates our nerves and leads to a pain response. Sometimes colder weather makes you feel stiffer and less active as well.
Weather Action Tip
When this happens, doing extra warm ups to get blood flowing can help! If you need help setting up a warm up or gentle movement routine, send me a DM to set up a free strategy call!
Putting it all together
When it comes to getting rid of pain, you will be so much more effective if you address different factors that contribute to pain. More often than not, it is a combination of things.
If you are struggling with pain and need help, you are not alone.