8 Ways to deal with chronic pain while prepping

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According to data, at least 10 percent of the world's population deals with chronic pain. It is caused by various factors and can be debilitating, which severely reduces overall quality of life.

Read on to learn how to deal with chronic pain while prepping. (h/t to Survivopedia.com)

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for at least 12 weeks. The pain may feel sharp or dull and can cause a burning or aching sensation in the affected areas.

The pain may be steady or intermittent, meaning it can come and go without any clear cause. Chronic pain can occur in any part of the body and the pain can feel different in the affected areas.

Here are eight tips to manage chronic pain as you stay on track with your prepping efforts.

Monitor the news

Even if you are limited in how you can prep because of chronic pain, you can still monitor the news to stay updated on local, national and global events.

Watch the news on TV or listen to the radio to stay up-to-date with whatever is happening that could impact you now or in the future. Paying attention to the news gives you information that you will need to fine-tune your strategy so you are fully prepared when disaster strikes.

Plan ahead

If you started prepping before you experienced chronic pain, make adjustments to your preps to accommodate any of your medical needs.

Involve your whole family in the plan and make sure everyone understands their role when SHTF. Let them know you may need help getting out of your home safely and remember that it's fine to ask for help if you need it.

Balance prepping and pain management

There are ways to prep even if you have chronic pain, just make sure you listen to your body. Don't push yourself past your limits to avoid any adverse effects.

You can also improve your energy, strength and stamina by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly. You should also rest and get enough sleep so you don't overwork yourself.

Find out what's causing chronic pain

You can learn how to manage chronic pain by finding out what's causing it. Once you confirm the cause of your pain, form an effective strategy to deal with it when SHTF.

Here are some of the common contributors to chronic pain:

Being overweight

Certain illnesses like cancer, diabetes, Lyme disease and shingles

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Endometriosis

Fibromyalgia

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Poor posture

A traumatic injury

Underlying health conditions

Some issues are easier to treat than others. If being overweight is contributing to your pain, take steps to maintain a healthy weight.

Have realistic expectations

If you are having a hard time dealing with severe pain and staying on track with your prepping schedule, don't get frustrated.

Even if you are a healthy person, you're not going to be able to do everything you might want to do. And since you have chronic pain, you need to remember that you also won't be able to do some of the physical things you did before.

Manage your expectations and be realistic. Instead of getting frustrated, focus on things you can still do. If you need help, talk to your family and friends. (Related: Boost brain health and relieve nausea and stomach issues with ginger, a versatile superfood.)

Manage stress levels

Prepping can be stressful and your condition may be worse than others because you are also dealing with chronic pain.

Too much stress can make you feel worse, both mentally and physically. Stress causes your muscles to spasm, which can then trigger more feelings of pain. It also releases cortisol, a hormone that can contribute to inflammation.

Managing your stress levels won't make chronic pain go away, but trying to relax can help make your life more enjoyable. If you are always stressed, try relaxing activities such as:

Journaling

Practicing mindfulness and meditation

Practicing self-care

Spending time with people you love

Exercise regularly

Chronic pain can make it hard to exercise regularly, but staying fit can help make it easier to manage your pain and improve your overall strength and stamina.

Here are some of the best ways to stay fit if you are dealing with chronic pain:

Aerobic exercises like cycling, swimming or walking

Balance training

Flexibility exercises

Resistance training

Tai chi

Yoga

Talk to your doctor before you start any kind of fitness regimen when dealing with chronic pain. Know your limits and don't push through your pain just to exercise.

Follow a balanced diet to maintain your overall well-being. Before SHTF, find out which kind of diet helps with your pain and which items can trigger problems like inflammation.

You should also stock up on nutritious foods for your survival stockpile.

Try natural remedies for pain relief

Depending on what's causing your chronic pain, you could take medications to manage another health issue or prescriptions that can make your everyday pain easier to handle.

If you are taking medication for any health conditions, try to stock up before SHTF since prescriptions can become scarce after disaster strikes. You should also try alternative, natural pain management methods.

For example, these herbs and foods may help with issues like inflammation and pain:

Cloves

Ginger

Lavender

Peppermint

Rosemary

Turmeric

If you have an outdoor garden or an indoor herb garden, start growing and preserving these natural ingredients so you can naturally manage your pain when medication isn't readily available.

Another option is to try natural pain management techniques like alternating cold and heat when dealing with inflammation. These won't eliminate pain completely, but certain methods can make it easier to deal with the pain on a daily basis, especially if you are running low on medication.

If you have chronic pain, manage your expectations. It can be difficult to maintain a prepper lifestyle, but it's not impossible.

Listen to what your body is telling you and don't push yourself too far when exercising to stay healthy.

Visit Remedies.news for other options for natural pain relief.

Watch the video below for more natural pain relief strategies.

This video is from the PatchSDA channel on Brighteon.com.