24 secrets pain doctors won’t tell you

Your brain can make your pain feel worse. So you may want to explore psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, meditation, and even self-hypnosis.

Here are some ways to sneak in meditation into your everyday life.

Most legitimate pain clinics take insurance and offer treatments beyond medication.

Specifically, aerobic exercise five times a week and regular practice of yoga and t’ai chi have been shown to help. Pain will also feel worse if you don’t get a good night’s sleep.

Always ask about a stool softener.

What causes constipation? Here are some factors you shouldn’t ignore.

Simple, but it may work. And in some cases, the may be just as effective as opioid painkillers. Be aware, though, that overuse can result in rebound pain, liver issues, bleeding and ulcers.

That’s because they’re worried about creating an addiction. If you’re still in pain after a procedure, it’s OK to ask for more. Social support can actually cut down on the need for pain meds.

Be prepared to fight to get your treatment covered.

If you’ve been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal, and your doctor says you could be paralysed if you don’t have surgery, find another doctor. Studies have shown that’s not true, and surgery should be a last resort only after you’ve tried other options.

Injections for carpal tunnel syndrome have the highest success rate of any procedure. It should definitely be something you try before you resort to surgery.

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We want to believe that you’re not addicted, but 283,000 people in Australia, according to the most recent National Drugs Strategy Household survey, are abusing prescription pain relievers, and we don’t want to be responsible.