When you start to develop chronic pain in your back, your first reaction is probably to start resting more. You’ll be more reluctant to stay active and spend more time lying on the sofa or in bed. However, back pain is a complicated beast, and some research shows that lying down all the time will not make things better.

Here’s what you need to know about how excessive rest affects back pain and what you can do instead. (more…)

After you’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it will take you some time to really understand how the condition affects you on a daily basis. Some days, you might be almost pain free. But on other days, it may be tough to even wear clothing because you are in so much pain.

Flare-ups are unfortunately common with fibromyalgia, but they can sometimes be managed with a combination of medication and the avoidance of triggers. What triggers a flare-up depends on the person and the severity of the disease, but understanding common triggers and why they affect your body in such a negative way can help you take steps to manage your fibromyalgia. (more…)

If you suffer from persistent pain from an illness like fibromyalgia or from an injury to your neck or spine, your first line of defense is following the pain regimen your doctor prescribes, including rehabilitation activities. However, coping with daily pain is a complex challenge, and lifestyle choices can also have a mitigating effect.

Specifically, bonding with friends and family, enjoying social experiences, and receiving service from those you care about may modulate your pain levels. While engaging in social activities might not seem like a pain-killer, you’d be surprised how much it can help. (more…)

Sciatic nerve pain can be one of the most widespread and intense forms of pain. However, because sciatica is almost always a symptom rather than a condition of its own, it can be difficult to treat this nerve pain directly.

For long-term sciatica treatment, you will likely need the help of a pain management specialist and a physical therapist. You can learn more about the common causes of sciatica and how physical therapy works as a treatment for sciatica in our previous blog, “How Can Physical Therapy Help Sciatica?”

In this blog, we list seven techniques that can help you reduce the frequency and intensity of your sciatic nerve pain between appointments with your doctor or physical therapist. (more…)

Have you ever heard that the gum you accidentally swallow sits in your digestive tract for the rest of your life? What about that spicy foods wear down your stomach lining?

There are a lot of myths floating around about what’s good and bad for your digestion, and some of them have been around for decades. Below, we’ll debunk a few of those myths and tell you what can actually impact your digestive health for the better. (more…)

The process to develop an effective approach to pain management is often complex. Your health care providers may have to account for several symptoms that aren’t necessarily directly related to the center of your pain.

For example, in our last blog, “The Connection Between Your Digestive Health and Back Pain,” we discussed how your diet and your digestive system health problems can contribute to spinal pain, and vice versa. (more…)

Your body consists of numerous complex physiological systems that all have to work together to keep you healthy and mobile. In many cases, conditions that affect one bodily system can also have repercussions on the rest of the body.

In a previous blog, “The Connection Between Your Emotions and Your Pain,” we discussed the ways that mental health can affect chronic and acute pain symptoms. However, many of the system connections in your body are more concrete than the link between stress and higher pain levels. (more…)

Have you ever heard that the gum you accidentally swallow sits in your digestive tract for the rest of your life? What about that spicy foods wear down your stomach lining?

There are a lot of myths floating around about what’s good and bad for your digestion, and some of them have been around for decades. Below, we’ll debunk a few of those myths and tell you what can actually impact your digestive health for the better. (more…)

Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, can be uncomfortable and frustrating. But when you work a desk job, carpal tunnel discomfort may be unavoidable, and you may often be left with pain, tingling, or numbness spreading through your hand, wrist, or forearm.

And while CTS is a repetitive stress injury, it can be difficult to avoid the activities that caused the issue in the first place. But instead of simply enduring the discomfort on a daily basis, find ways to manage the pain and irritation.

Below, we’ll provide five tips for alleviating carpal tunnel discomfort. (more…)

Modern surgical methods to diagnose and treat stomach problems may be new, but stomach pain is not. Before we had the ability to take X-rays, perform colonoscopies, and prescribe medication, early civilizations had to find ways to treat stomach conditions with the tools available to them.

While historical records show that some ancient physicians did prescribe odd remedies like mercury or animal excrement to cure all manner of illnesses, many early civilizations found great success with herbal remedies. Many of these herbs you’ll recognize, since many people use them for cooking or similar uses today.   (more…)