Pain comes and goes in many forms; and sometimes, it overstays its welcome. While sometimes pain can be a good thing, i.e., alerting us that something is wrong so that we take care of it, constant discomfort is not something anyone should have to live with. Unfortunately, many people suffer from chronic pain, which is a persistent pain that lasts anywhere from a few weeks to several years. Chronic pain can be caused by inflammation in the body or from damaged or dysfunctional nerves. 

Chronic pain is very common in the United States — this includes things like arthritis, fibromyalgia, headaches, pain associated with cancer or other illnesses, or the aftermath of some kind of injury. 

Pain can really mess with your life, affecting your day-to-day activities, your work productivity, in some cases completely preventing you from working or engaging in other activities at all. But pain medication is not the only answer! To treat your pain, the most effective solution is to find a management plan that helps to relieve symptoms or to find and fix the underlying cause. 

At Dr. Gena Chiropractic, your favorite family chiropractor in Plantation, we believe in a more natural approach to pain management, including things like physical activity, following a vitamin and supplement regimen, cutting out inflammatory foods from your diet, increasing hydration, paying attention to your posture when performing any activities during your daily living and at work ergonomics, and of course, the most important one: regular chiropractic care.

Physical Activity

Although it might sound counterintuitive, physical activity can actually help combat the discomfort and decreased mobility that comes as a side effect of ongoing pain. Stretching is especially important, as certain stretches can provide major relief on the areas that are in pain/tight as well as help strengthen your muscles to support the body. Activities that are more gentle on the body, like walking, yoga, swimming or riding a bike, are also recommended.

Vitamin and Supplements

The team at Dr. Gena Chiropractic recommend the use of natural supplements to fight off pain. Their top choices are magnesium, ginger and circumin, found in turmeric. Magnesium helps to relax the muscles, which can reduce the pain symptoms. Ginger and circumin are both known to decrease inflammation in the body, which is one of the key causes of pain. 

Purchase these supplements from Dr. Gena Chiropractic: 

• Magnesium

• Ginger

• Circumin

Decrease Inflammatory Foods

Inflammation is a leading cause of pain, so if you are consuming inflammatory foods in your diet, this is only fueling the fire. Examples of foods that cause inflammation include refined carbs, fried foods, high-sugar beverages, processed meat, margarine, lard and shortening. Reduce these specific foods from your diet, and instead, fill up on anti-inflammatory foods like leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, and select fruits. The Mediterranean Diet is a good protocol to follow, as it is very high in all of the right things: fish, healthy oils, fruits, vegetables and nuts. 

Increase Hydration

Staying hydrated is important for a myriad of reasons, and pain management is one of them. When you are dehydrated, fluid is pulled from the joint and muscle tissues, which results in general aches and pains all over. By properly hydrating your body, joints and muscles are protected because the surrounding cartilage and tissue becomes soft and pliable. Dr. Gena Chiropractic recommends adding electrolytes to your water.

Improve Posture

Pay close attention to your posture when you are sitting at your desk, on the couch or at the dinner table, when you are walking around, exercising, etc. No matter what you are doing, whether during your daily living or while at work, good posture is key to keeping your muscles, joints and nervous system aligned. When they are not aligned, that’s when pain can creep in.

These are all things that you can do on your own in your own space, on your own time, to manage your pain. By following all of these tips, and also having regular chiropractic checkups and adjustments, you are on the right path to managing your pain like a pro. Chiropractic adjustments can help treat chronic pain conditions, as well as more acute pain like shin splints, TMJ, plantar fasciitis, headaches, sciatica, osteoarthritis, pinched nerve, and basically pain anywhere on the body. 

Schedule a consultation with the team at Dr. Gena Chiropractic, located in Plantation, and live your life pain free and feeling well. Remember, your health is in your hands; our hands are there to help.