[Cincinnatus]

Michelle,

As I've previously posted asking for help dealing w/ chronic (at times debilitating pain), I'm not sure I've found "the" answer, but here are some things that seem to work for me (or at least help.)

First, "counting my blessings", there're actually studies that show that doing this can help with depression and that this is one of the few "cognitive techiques" that can be shown to work clinically. When my back hurts, I remind myself that it hurt far worse a few years ago. When my hip hurts, I remind myself that only one hip hurts, that it's hurt worse, that I'm not dragging a withered leg around like a guy I saw at Penney's, not in a wheelchair, etc.

When Mom was dying, I reminded myself that she was home, under a tight roof, we could afford the meds she needed, she had folks who loved her to care for her, etc. It sounds PollyAnnaish, but it works.

I also find that thinking of it as discomfort, instead of pain, helps... a little. LOL

Taking ibuprofen before working out, or engaging in any activity that's likely to exacerbate your injuries will often help. Forty five minutes to an hour beforehand works best for me. Ibuprofen and acetaminephine taken together after working out can also help, the two complement one another, ibu works on swelling and inflammation, APAP on pain, most people experience a synergystic effect. There's a danger in taking too much of either compound, but as long as you stay within recommended doses, you should be ok.

Stronger pain meds may also help, but there are risks to be considered. Dependcy or addiction are the ones that come to mind for most people, but taking pain killers for prolonged periods can also increase risk of depression. If you are on pain meds so strong that they mask your pain completely you are at risk for futher injury, as your body can't signal, through pain, that you're overusing/ misusing, whatever part of the body is injured.

I'll take strong analgesics if the pain is really intense, but start tapering off as soon as I can. I find it effective to "nuke" severe pain for a day or two and then go to a less powerful painkiller.

Sleeping well not only helps the body recover, but if you're well rested it's easier to deal with pain and I find I'm less likely to get pissy and take it out on those around me. YMMV.

The "Warrior Wellness" joint strength workout from Scott Sonnon, that I posted about previously has paid real dividends for me. In fact, for the last couple of years I've been using a cane if I was going to be doing much walking particulary on pavement or cobblestones, I didn't "need" it to walk, but if I would set aside my pride and use it, I found I was in less pain at the end of the day. Recently, I've been doing more and more without the cane and I attribute this to the Sonnon workout. I'm not painfree, but the improvement is pretty dramatic.

Finally, see a PT. My sister has experienced GREAT improvement since going to one. Do your research as there are way too many bozos in this field, but if you find the right person, they can be a huge help.

HTH.

PS - D'oohh! Forgot something really important. A good massage therapist can be an enormous help in recovering from injury. Not one who does "Swedish" massage, or any of the soothing type massages, as pleasant as they can be, but someone who gives deep tissue therapeutic massage and will really dig into knots and work to break up scar tissue and adhesions. Distinctly unfun (read quite painful) but beneficial over the course of several sessions.