Research has shown that chronic pain is complex and rooted in both emotional and social factors. Along with addressing the physical pain, it is also important to address the stress and other social factors that can contribute to pain. One way to manage emotional factors of pain is by performing relaxation exercises as part of your pain management plan.
It is important to know how pain and stress affect the body so you can also understand how relaxation techniques can counteract these effects. Pain and stress act very similar on the body, they can increase heart rate and blood pressure, breathing often becomes more shallow and rapid. In addition, tension in your muscles form. When you suffer from chronic stress and pain this can take a toll on the body by releasing stress hormones, which make the muscles in a constant state of tension.
Relaxation exercises can calm your mind, reduce stress hormones into your blood stream, reduce the tension in your muscles and enhance your emotional state.
There are a variety of ways you can perform relaxation exercises, choose the ones that are right for you. Here are examples below:
Speak with your provider about techniques you are using and whether they are helpful to you. Keeping a pain diary and noting your pain experience along with things that make your pain better or worse is also helpful.
