Winter is coming, meaning family get-togethers and holiday parties for work. For many, the holidays are a time of joy and festivities. Still, for others, it's simply a reminder of living with chronic pain.
Whether you're living with neuropathy, CRPS, or sciatica, the holidays may only spell trouble and an increase in normal pain – but they don't have to. Many tips, tricks, and treatments help you manage pain to enjoy the upcoming holiday season.
Dr. Shachi Patel and the Delmarva Pain and Spine Center team are experts in treating many forms of chronic pain. Dr. Patel is an anesthesiology and pain management specialist who offers spinal cord stimulation, joint injections, and radiofrequency ablation procedures to manage chronic pain effectively.
Chronic pain is any discomfort that persists for more than three months despite efforts to control it. Unfortunately, it's a prevalent issue that leads to disability and the inability to enjoy everyday activities.
Chronic pain affects any part of the body and can be with you constantly or may come and go. It can happen from an injury, genetic conditions, or other medical issues. Some causes of chronic pain include:
Many more types of chronic pain affect the body, causing physical, mental, and emotional distress. The longer you deal with chronic pain, the harder it is to find a treatment that works long-term.
With the next couple of months containing the biggest holidays of the year, it's essential to get your pain under control. Sometimes, managing your pain during the busiest time of year is as simple as considering a few simple tips that include:
The holidays can quickly become overwhelming, so it's crucial to be realistic during the busy season. Be practical and set realistic expectations when planning for each holiday event. Unrealistic expectations before the holidays can mean more pain and missing out on family time and fun festivities.
If you're hosting the big holiday dinner, it's easy to get caught up in trying to do everything yourself – but that's a surefire way to make your pain worse. Instead of tackling the holidays as a one-person army, don't be afraid to ask for help.
You can ask relatives, friends, or coworkers for help cooking dinner, cleaning, and decorating. Asking for help allows you to enjoy each party and event without the typical aches and pains.
Proper rest and sleep are vital every day of the year, but they're especially important during the busiest time of year. Set time aside every day to recuperate from the season's activity. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep per night, and don't be afraid to take an afternoon nap to avoid a flare-up.
Life gets busy around the holidays, with meals, gatherings to plan, and guests constantly coming and going. With all the hustle and bustle, it's easy to let chronic pain get out of control.
Taking medications ahead of time to avoid painful flares can help you get through the holidays.
The best part about technology is the ability to shop online from the comfort of your home. Chronic pain makes it challenging to get everything done during the holidays, which is why buying groceries, gifts, and even holiday cards online makes it an excellent option for managing discomfort.
Unfortunately, lifestyle tips and tricks aren't always enough to keep your pain at bay during the busy holidays. Even with plenty of rest, preparing yourself ahead of time, and pain relievers, your pain can still get the best of you.
The good news is that many conservative and surgical treatments allow you to manage pain effectively. Dr. Patel offers compassionate care and cutting-edge treatments to help you overcome chronic pain just in time for the seasonal festivities.
At your appointment, Dr. Patel evaluates your condition and pain to determine the best course of treatment. She discusses prior therapies you've tried to find the most effective treatment for chronic pain.
We offer various options for different types of chronic pain, including minimally invasive options like epidural steroid injections, regenerative medicine, and IV vitamin therapy.
If your condition is severe and other options haven't helped, Dr. Patel also offers spinal cord stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, and a Mild® procedure for spinal stenosis. All of these options allow you to take control of your pain and enjoy every party and get-together this holiday season.
To learn more about our chronic pain treatments, call our office in Newark, Delaware, today to schedule an appointment or request a consultation with Dr. Patel on our website.
