6 Ways To Relieve Pain After An Injury
Pain after an injury can have both physical and emotional implications if it lasts more than a few days. Pain may lead to limited mobility or your ability to perform certain tasks, like shopping, cleaning house or going to work. After a painful injury, you may also experience depression or anxiety. Not being able to go to work or go out socializing can cause psychological issues in some people, especially when all they have to focus on is their pain. Finding an effective method of pain relief is essential for healing faster and for your emotional health.
Six Ways to Relieve Pain After an Injury
1. Use Ice
Ice can reduce pain from muscle soreness and stiffness. It can also reduce swelling and reduce pain. Apply ice for 20 minutes, then remove for 20 minutes and repeat. You can use an ice pack, a frozen washcloth, or a bag of frozen vegetables to get relief.
2. Take Over-the-counter or Prescription Pain Medication
Follow your doctor's recommendations for taking OTC or prescription pain relievers. There's no need to tough it out and suffer needlessly. If you have issues about taking opioids, talk to your doctor about your concerns.
3. Eat Anti-inflammatory Foods
Foods that can help reduce inflammation, and therefore pain, include fish, whole grains, beans, nuts and vegetables and fruit. Avoid sweets, greasy foods and processed foods, as these can increase inflammation.
4. Rest as Much as You Can
After an injury, get plenty of rest and sleep. Sleep allows the growth hormones in your body to work more effectively at rebuilding muscles. It may not be easy, even if you can get a few days off work, because many people have small children at home who don't understand why you need rest. Try to explain that you'll heal faster if you rest and sleep more.
5. Use CBD
CBD oil has been shown to reduce inflammation and reducing localized pain. You can either inject it, use it topically or smoke it. CBD is no longer an unconventional treatment; professional athletes are using it, and they have a huge incentive to ease their pain and swelling and get back in the game. Always check state and local laws before purchasing, although it is legal in most states.
6. Distract Yourself
You don't want to dwell on your pain. Play a video game, read an engrossing book that's hard to put down or binge watch your favorite TV series. After a while, you'll forget about the pain and relax and by immersing yourself in something you love. If you have to be home from work and resting, use the time as a chance to do what you didn't have time for before.
What Should I Do After an Injury?
The first thing you should do is see your doctor if you have a minor injury. You can get an assessment and learn how severe the injury is and how long the pain is likely to last. More importantly, you will discover what not to do to avoid a permanent injury. If you have a serious injury, such as injuries with a large open wound or the area where you're in pain changes color, seek urgent care right away. You may need an x-ray or other tests to determine the extent of the injury.
Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for CBDistillery
