What to Include in Your House to Help With Pain

If you're someone who lives with chronic pain, you understand the importance of designing your lifestyle around pain relief. That should even include your home! Yes, there are many ways that you can stock your home to foster comfort, pain relief, and injury prevention. Keeping items for pain relief in your home ensures that you aren't constantly struggling to move around, complete tasks, or relax as you go about your day. For someone suffering with severe pain stemming from arthritis or an old injury, being able to take charge of pain at home can be vital for staying in your home independently for as long as possible. Follow these tips for what to include in your home to help with pain.

1. Soft Mats and Rugs

If your home has tile or wood floors, you may be struggling with aches and pains that creep up when you're standing at the sink doing dishes, brushing your teeth in the morning, or walking down the stairs. Padded rugs and runners can relieve pressure from your back and joints when you're standing in your home. The warmth of padded floor coverings can also help to relieve the discomfort caused by standing on cold floors.

2. Massagers and TENS Machines

Electric massagers and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machines can help to provide pain relief caused by sore, tight muscles or overtaxed nerves. The benefits of massage include improved circulation, decreased muscle stiffness, improved sleep quality, decreased joint inflammation, quicker recovery after workouts, improved flexibility, strengthened immune response, and reductions in pain and soreness. For people struggling with the mental and emotional challenges of living with chronic pain, massage can also provide benefits through improved relaxation, lower stress levels, improved mood, decreased anxiety, and overall feelings of wellness.

TENS machines work by sending electrical impulses through the skin via small sticky pads called electrodes. Pads can be placed near the area experiencing intense pain. After turning on a battery-powered TENS device, a sensation of tingling works its way through the skin to suppress the body's natural pain signals. Many people find relief and relaxation using TENS machines. The stimulation produced by a TENS machine can even help to release natural feel-good chemicals called endorphins that are considered natural painkillers.

3. Exercise Room

Physical exercise has long been considered an effective non-pharmacological treatment of chronic pain. In fact, research shows physical activity can lower the risk for developing chronic pain while simultaneously assisting in managing existing chronic pain. Exercise's analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties may even change how the brain responds to pain signals, turn off pain signals, and release chemicals that promote tissue healing.

Having a dedicated exercise room in your home can be a great way to prioritize fitness, flexibility, and pain management. Consider adding items for low-resistance workouts that allow you to build muscle and increase heart rate without straining your body. This can include a treadmill, elliptical, resistance bands, and some weights.

4. Hot Tub

While it may seem like a splurge, a hot tub can provide incredible relief for people suffering from muscle pain. The heat experienced while submerged in a hot tub increases blood flow to help loosen muscle tension. What's more, floating in water helps to take pressure off your joints at the same time. In clinical trials, people with back pain who underwent spa therapy reported significant improvement in pain relief, lumbar flexibility, functional capacity, and quality of life.

Exercise Tips for Pain Control and Relief

Working out with pain takes extra dedication and courage. While there are countless benefits to becoming more active, it's also important to avoid any risks for injury. That's why talking to your doctor about your exercise plans is always the first step. Here are some other exercise tips for pain management:

• Begin Slowly: Remember that it's not a race! Ease into working out in a new home gym or workout space using gentle exercises that can gradually increase in intensity.

• Always Warm Your Muscles: One of the easiest ways to get hurt while working out is to forget to stretch and warm up. Make sure that your muscles are loosened before you begin a workout.

• Avoid Moves That Cause Pain: If you're experiencing strong pain or discomfort, this is a sign to stop instead of pushing forward.

• Use Lessons or Guided Classes: Consider signing up for a digital workout program that allows you to follow along with instructors.

• Wear Comfortable Clothes: Soft, comfortable clothes that offer just the right amount of support will allow you to perform a full range of motions during your workout.

Finally, stay consistent! The average adult requires 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. This activity should be combined with muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Mays and Schnapp Pain Clinic