When it comes to managing pain, the most helpful things for you are often the things that require the most effort.

 

Easier management strategies include:

·        ultrasound therapy

·        TENS therapy

·        acupuncture or dry needling

·        manual therapy

·        foam rolling

·        stretching.

 

Harder – but more valuable – management strategies include:

·        learning how pain works

·        tackling unhelpful beliefs

·        building healthier habits

·        increasing physical activity

·        reducing sedentary behaviour

·        sleeping well and consistently

·        managing stress

·        spending time with family and friends

·        doing things you enjoy and value.

 

The ‘easier’ strategies can certainly help many people; however, these strategies tend to provide short-lasting relief rather without any significant long-lasting benefits. If they’re all that you’ve tried and they haven’t been effective, perhaps ‘harder’ strategies may be worth trying because they could be more effective long-term.

 

The cause of pain isn’t as simple as we once thought, such as a tight muscle that just needs to be ‘released’. What we know now is that pain is likely influenced by a multitude of factors, which unfortunately makes matters confusing but fortunately gives us so many options.

 

Often the best thing you can do for your pain is focusing on the potential factors contributing to your pain rather than the pain itself – a subtle but key distinction.