The major holidays are quickly approaching, which is exciting for some. Still, people with chronic pain often dread the busy holiday season. It's difficult to manage symptoms while preparing for parties and dinner guests.
You can, however, learn how to manage your pain even in times of extreme stress. Dr. Shachi Patel and the Delmarva Pain and Spine Center team provide cutting-edge treatments to address chronic pain.
Dr. Patel is a pain management specialist who offers epidural steroid injections, regenerative medicine, and radiofrequency ablation for chronic pain issues like sciatica, CRPS, and neuropathy.
Living with chronic pain takes a toll on your physical and mental health, especially during times of extreme stress. Although the holidays are a joyous time for most, they can be highly stressful for people with chronic pain.
It gets even worse if you have to travel during the holidays, which only adds to intense worry and stress. But why does chronic pain worsen during the busy winter season? There are several reasons, and they include:
Trying to do too much during the holidays takes a toll on your body and can lead to chronic pain. It's essential to pace yourself and stick to a routine to keep pain in check.
Traveling for the holidays is stressful enough without chronic pain, which only adds to the worry. If you need to travel this season, it's crucial to prepare for pain flares and other issues that may arise.
There are plenty of tips and tricks we offer to help you manage chronic pain during the holidays, and they include:
Maintaining a somewhat routine is crucial for avoiding pain flares during travel. Take your medications at regular times and use tools like heating pads or a massager to relax your body and decrease discomfort.
Trying to get everything done around the house before traveling can lead to intense pain flares. It's a good idea to pace yourself during the holidays and when traveling to avoid worsening pain. Take plenty of breaks and do a little at a time.
Sitting in the car or on a plane for long periods isn't great for chronic pain. Try to get up and walk around on the plane every hour, or make frequent stops in the car to stretch. Moving around keeps blood flowing, which decreases chronic pain.
Maintaining good posture while traveling isn't easy, but supportive gear helps. Bring a neck pillow along for the plane or a lumbar support pillow in the car to help maintain good posture and prevent painful travel aches.
It's easy to get caught up in drinking caffeinated beverages or alcohol during the holidays – but that only exacerbates pain. Be sure to bring along plenty of water and electrolyte-rich drinks to help alleviate pain during travel.
Before the busy season begins, it's essential to schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel. She discusses treatment options that help you get through the holidays with minimal to no pain.
The treatments she recommends depend on the cause of your specific pain. She may recommend specific stretches or exercises, in addition to over-the-counter medications, to help manage inflammation.
More severe pain may require more invasive treatments, such as joint injections, trigger point injections, or ketamine infusions. More invasive procedures may be necessary, but they may also interrupt the holiday festivities.
The most important thing you can do is take care of yourself and listen to your body. Rest when you need to, and take the necessary steps to reduce pain and inflammation so you can fully enjoy every minute of the festive season.
To learn more about our chronic pain management treatments, call our Newark, Delaware, office to schedule an appointment or request a consultation with Dr. Patel on our website.
