Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Duke Chiropractic

3 Riverside Lane

Greenland, NH 03840 USA

603-422-0432

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • Meet the Doctor!
  • Our Amazing Staff!
    • Success Stories
  • About Us
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • What to Expect
      • Your First Visit
      • Phase 1: Relief Care
      • Phase 2: Corrective Care
      • Phase 3: Wellness Care
    • Virtual Office Tour
    • Health Resources
    • Payment Options
  • In the news
  • Contact Us
  • Services & Techniques
  • Insurance
  • Office Hours
  • Community Content
    • About Chiropractic Care
      • What is Chiropractic
      • How Does it Work
      • Who is Chiropractic For
      • Vertebral Subluxation
      • Wellness Resources
    • Common Conditions Treated
      • Auto Accident Injuries
      • Back and Shoulder Pain
      • Body Pain
      • Chronic Condition Relief
        • Conditions Affecting Women
        • Headaches
      • Herniated Discs
      • Improved Health
      • Pediatric Ailments
      • Repetitive Use Injuries
      • Respiratory Function
    • Health & Wellness
      • Healthy Thinking
        • Get Positive
        • Relaxation Techniques
      • Life in Motion
      • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
        • Treat Yourself Well
        • Treat Others Well
        • Eat Well
      • Wellness Essentials
        • At Home
        • At Work
        • Exercise
        • Nutrition
        • What You Wear
      • Wellness Perspectives
        • Mental
        • Spiritual
        • Social
        • Physical
    • Therapies & Techniques
      • Techniques
      • Therapies
    • Newsletter Library
      • Back, Body & Joint Pain
      • Healthy Tips
      • Exercise & Fitness
      • Injury Rehab & Prevention
      • Kid's Health
      • Illness Prevention
      • Chronic Conditions
      • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
      • Breaking Bad Habits
      • Senior Health
      • Weight Loss
      • Pregnancy & Parenting
      • Wellness
      • Mind-Body Connection
      • Stress & Anxiety
      • Life-Work Balance
      • Staying Young
      • Staying Motivated
    • Wellness4Kids
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Self Care for Chronic Pain: Do's and Do Not's

Self Care for Chronic Pain: Do's and Do Not's

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Older man taking care of himself

Self Care Do's and Don'ts for Chronic Pain

As a chronic pain sufferer, you've probably discovered a few strategies that make your pain more bearable. Unfortunately, some of these practices could actually be worsening your symptoms. In addition to visiting your chiropractor regularly, following these do's and don'ts will help you manage your pain.

Do Bring on the Heat

Heat, whether from a heating pad, hot tub, or warm bath or shower, offers an effective way to ease muscle pain. Tight muscles and tissues loosen when they're warm. Heat also increases blood flow, reduces stiffness and relieves stress.

Don't Overdo It

It's not easy to change your habits if you're used to working long hours or running marathons every month. Unfortunately, things have to change when you develop chronic pain. Sitting at work for hours strains your joints and cause your muscles and tissues to tighten. Ignoring pain when you exercise can lead to painful flare-ups or even worsen your condition.

Frequent stretching breaks during the day will reduce pain and keep muscles and tissues loose and flexible. Chronic pain doesn't have to prevent you from exercising, but it may mean that you need to choose forms of exercise that are easier on the joints, like walking, swimming or riding a stationary bicycle.

Do Be Aware of Your Triggers

Like most people with chronic pain, you probably have a few triggers that worsen your pain. Sitting in a chair without adequate lumbar support could aggravate your aching back, while using your digital devices might intensify your neck pain. If you know your triggers, you make a few modifications that will prevent painful flare-ups.

A new, ergonomic office chair or lumbar support pillow could reduce or prevent back pain. If neck pain is a problem, hold digital devices at eye level, chose chairs that offer neck support, and take short breaks every hour.

Don't Skimp on Sleep

Without enough sleep, you're bound to feel tense and irritable, which can affect the way you perceive and manage pain. Sleep also offers several important benefits for your body. It's essential for tissue repair, may improve immune system functioning, and is important for learning, according to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard University.

Do Try Massage

Is massage part of your self-care routine? The hands-on therapy can:

  • Relax Tight Muscles and Tissues. Stretching and kneading muscles and tissues offers a simple, effective way to relieve tightness and pain and stop muscle spasms. Whether you receive massages at the chiropractic office or perform them on yourself at home, massage therapy is an excellent addition to your self-care tool kit.
  • Improve Range-of-Motion. Tight tissues prevent you from bending, reaching and moving easily. Loosening your tissues with massage enhances flexibility and range of motion. When you're muscles are looser, you may find that your range of motion improves.
  • Reduce Stress. Have you noticed that the muscles in your neck, shoulders and upper back tighten when you're stressed? This normal reaction to stress can make your chronic pain feel even worse. Endorphins released during massages relieve pain naturally and help you feel calm and relaxed.

Do Meditate

Meditation not only relieves stress but also offers pain relief benefits. The practice reduces pain intensity and unpleasantness, according to a research review published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences in 2016. Since meditation can be performed anywhere, it's an excellent self-care technique.

Don't Rely Solely on Medication

Over-the-counter and prescription medication offers temporary relief of pain and inflammation. Unfortunately, the pain returns as soon as the drug wears off. Medications can also produce unpleasant side effects and may even become addicting in some cases. When you try some of the techniques mentioned here, you may discover that you can take medication less frequently.

Do See Your Chiropractor

Your chiropractor offers treatments designed to keep your pain under control. Whether you've only been in pain a few months or have struggled with chronic pain for years, spinal manipulation, massage, soft tissue mobilization, traction, flexion-distraction, ultrasound and other therapies offer effective relief for many types of chronic pain.

Sources:

NCBI: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences: Mindfulness Meditation-Based Pain Relief: A Mechanized Account, 6/2016

Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard University: Why Do We Sleep, Anyway?

Spine Universe: 15 Ways to Practice Self-Care When You Have Back Pain, 9/29/20

Harvard Health Publishing: Chiropractic Care for Pain Relief, 2/15/21

  • About Chiropractic Care
    • What is Chiropractic
    • How Does it Work
    • Who is Chiropractic For
    • Vertebral Subluxation
    • Wellness Resources
  • Common Conditions Treated
    • Auto Accident Injuries
    • Back and Shoulder Pain
    • Body Pain
    • Chronic Condition Relief
      • Conditions Affecting Women
      • Headaches
    • Herniated Discs
    • Improved Health
    • Pediatric Ailments
    • Repetitive Use Injuries
    • Respiratory Function
  • Health & Wellness
    • Healthy Thinking
      • Get Positive
      • Relaxation Techniques
    • Life in Motion
    • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
      • Treat Yourself Well
      • Treat Others Well
      • Eat Well
    • Wellness Essentials
      • At Home
      • At Work
      • Exercise
      • Nutrition
      • What You Wear
    • Wellness Perspectives
      • Mental
      • Spiritual
      • Social
      • Physical
  • Therapies & Techniques
    • Techniques
    • Therapies
  • Newsletter Library
    • Back, Body & Joint Pain
    • Healthy Tips
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Injury Rehab & Prevention
    • Kid's Health
    • Illness Prevention
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
    • Breaking Bad Habits
    • Senior Health
    • Weight Loss
    • Pregnancy & Parenting
    • Wellness
    • Mind-Body Connection
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Life-Work Balance
    • Staying Young
    • Staying Motivated
  • Wellness4Kids

FREE CONSULTATION FOR ALL NEW PATIENTS! MENTION THIS AD. Sign up using the form below or call us at 603-422-0432.

Featured Services

Click to Find Out More

  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
  • Make an Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule! Schedule an appointment today!

  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home or office.

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8am - 9:30 am & 11:00 am - 12:00 Pm

3:00 pm - 6:00pm

Tuesday:

Closed

3:00 pm - 6:00pm

Wednesday:

8 am - 9:30 am & 11 am - 12:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00pm

Thursday:

8 am - 9:30 am & 11 am - 12:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Closed

Locations

Find us on the map

Testimonial

Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "Look what our friends on Facebook have been saying about us!

    "First chiropractic experience and they're AWESOME, after three sessions able to run and not be in pain afterwards. Absolutely worth it!"

    "Super friendly and helpful! I went in for some back pain and Dr. Duke and the team have been working very hard to sort me out! I would recommend their services to anyone!"

    "Duke family chiropractic is excellent. The staff there are super friendly and make you feel welcome. I've been going three months now, twice a week to get adjusted. My back and neck feel a whole lot better and pain free. I would recommend them to anyone who going through any pain."

    Want to see more, visit us on Facebook!

    https://www.facebook.com/dukefamilychiropractic/"
    John Doe / Greenland, NH

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

    June Newsletter: Chiropractic Care for Whiplash

    Suffering from whiplash? Chiropractic care could ease your neck pain. ...

    Read More

    June Newsletter: How Your Chiropractor Can Help with Knee Pain

    Have you considered chiropractic care for your knee pain? ...

    Read More

    May Newsletter: Your Chiropractor Can Help You Recover from Sports Injuries

    Suffering from a sports injury? Find out how chiropractic can help. ...

    Read More

    May Newsletter: Is Your Spine Ready for Summer?

    Would you like to avoid back pain this summer? ...

    Read More

    April Newsletter: Chiropractic Can Help You Stay Fit as You Age

    Want to stay active no matter what your age? Chiropractic can help. ...

    Read More

    April Newsletter: Is Your Back Ready for Spring? Visit a Chiropractor!

    Got a stiff, sore back? Chiropractic can help you get ready for an active spring. ...

    Read More

    March Newsletter: How Chiropractic Helps Patients with Scoliosis

    Could chiropractic treatment help your scoliosis pain? ...

    Read More

    March Newsletter: The Key Differences between Chiropractors and Osteopaths

    Not sure if you should see an osteopath or chiropractor? ...

    Read More

    February Newsletter: Stay Active This Winter

    Staying active during the winter offers important benefits for your health. ...

    Read More

    February Newsletter: Promoting Your Body's Natural Energy

    Want to feel more energetic? Chiropractic could help. ...

    Read More

Newsletter Sign Up

Follow Us

  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map