Do you suffer from chronic pain? Do you have fibromyalgia? Or perhaps a recurring pain from an old injury or surgery? Chronic pain can cause issues in every facet of your life, from physical activity to work to enjoying time with family. Perhaps one of the most troublesome aspects of chronic pain, though, is how it impacts your ability to sleep. Many sufferers of chronic pain report that they have trouble falling asleep or that they wake up constantly through the night because of their pain.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to relieve your symptoms and get a good night of sleep. Below are three tips to consider. You also may want to consult with a pain specialist for other suggestions:
Try some light physical activity in the evening. As a chronic pain sufferer, you may struggle with exercise or other types of physical activity. However, you probably also know that activity has too many health benefits to ignore. It gets your blood flowing, which could help alleviate pain. It may help with weight loss. And it could loosen sore joints and muscles. All of those things could help relieve your pain as you sleep.
A light evening walk could be helpful. If that's hard on your joints, consider something with less impact, like a bike ride. Even light stretching could work. Do it in the evening, but not right before bed. You'll want to give yourself time to unwind and relax after your exercise.
Take a hot bath before bed. A hot bath is the perfect way to unwind after your exercise and before you go to bed. The hot water can help ease sore muscles and joints. It can also improve blood flow, which may help with pain through the night. You also may want to try epsom salt in the bath. That can be an effective tool to reduce inflammation, pain, and even stress.
Get a new pillow and mattress. If you just can't seem to get comfortable in bed or wake up throughout the night, it may be that you need a different pillow and mattress. The wrong pillow or mattress could actually make your pain worse. They may provide too much support or pressure at your most sensitive points, inflaming those areas rather than relieving them.
You may want to consider a custom mattress and pillow set. The mattress company can design a mattress that contours to your body and provides support where you need and softness where you don't. That could significantly reduce your pain through the night.
Ready to get a better night of sleep? Contact your pain specialist for help. Also, contact a company that offers custom mattresses and pillows, they could reduce your pain and help you get a full night of sleep.
For more information, reach out to companies like antique bed mattress.
