(HealthDay News) — If you still have pain more than six months after an injury or illness, it’s said to be chronic.
The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests how people with chronic pain can manage:
- With medication, which may include pain relievers, antidepressants or anticonvulsants.
- With physical therapy.
- With low-impact exercise. Examples may include walking and swimming.
- With occupational therapy, which teaches how to do things in ways that don’t aggravate pain.
- With behavioral therapy, which teaches managing stress and relaxing as ways to help reduce pain.
- By getting lots of sleep.
- By quitting smoking.