![painful life painful life](http://www.kickvick.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/painful-truths-a-12.jpg)
Paracetamol for adults is the simplest and safest painkiller. It's safe to use over-the-counter painkillers to reduce your pain so you can be more active.īut it's important to use painkillers carefully, as they have side effects. Your GP can also refer you for exercise referral classes, and some centres have specific classes for lower back pain.
![painful life painful life](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/dtc/b87710cb-3fcb-4534-840a-ff12020bfa9a.sized-1000x1000.png)
In others, there's direct access to NHS physiotherapy without the need for a GP referral.įind physiotherapy services in your area.
![painful life painful life](https://www.idlehearts.com/images/life-is-full-of-painful-events-and-people-who-have-lost-their.jpg)
Your GP may be able to refer you for physical therapy on the NHS, although physical therapy is only available privately in some areas.
![painful life painful life](https://s.mxmcdn.net/images-storage/albums4/6/3/2/1/9/5/42591236_800_800.jpg)
If you have physical therapy, you should begin to feel the benefits after a few sessions. Occupational therapists can support you with environmental changes that can help you remain in work and function better at home. Physiotherapists can give you advice on the right type of exercise and activity. Physical therapy is usually delivered by a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath, or in some cases, an occupational therapist. Physical therapy for persistent pain can involve manipulation, stretching exercises and pain-relief exercises. This helps you to move better, relieves your pain, and makes daily tasks and activities easier, like walking, going up stairs or getting in and out of bed. Pain experts often recommend a short course of physical therapy. You could also agree changes to your job or pattern of work if it helps – a health and safety rep or occupational health department may be useful here. For instance, you might start with 1 day a week and gradually increase the time you spend at work. If you have been off work for 4 to 6 weeks, plan with your doctor, therapist or employer how and when you can return. Talk to your supervisor or boss if parts of your job are difficult to begin with, but stress that you want to be at work if that's the case. Research shows that people become less active and more depressed when they don't work.īeing at work may distract you from the pain and might not make it worse. It's important to try to stay in work even if you're in pain. Read about swimming for fitness and dance for fitness. Try these flexibility exercises and sitting exercises you can do at home. This may reduce the number of bad days you have and help you feel more in control.īut try to avoid overdoing it on good days and paying for this by having more bad days. Try to be active every day instead of only on the good days when you're not in so much pain. You may also find it becomes harder to get going again.Ī better approach to reducing pain is a combination of:Ĭhoose an exercise that won't put too much strain on yourself.Īctivity and stretching needs to become part of your lifestyle so you routinely do exercise a little and often. Lying in bed for long periods can make back pain last longer. Exercise and continuing to work if you can are key to managing persistent pain, also known as chronic pain, to help lead a fuller life.