Pain, ageing and good solutions for women over 50

For women 50+, managing pain is even more important because it can impact how you live and enjoy life

Women are used to ignoring discomfort and carrying on; do not ignore it! 

Listen to your body

Instead of reaching for the medication, listen to your body first and find the root cause of your discomfort.

Ask yourself questions:

• When do you have more and less pain? Is there something you do that hurts a specific part of your body?
• Can you move around, or is it too painful to get up? Is it chronic? Is it acute? 

Is this situation an emergency or can you wait to see a doctor?

Book an appointment to see a doctor with information about your pain (or go to the ER).

If your doctor can’t explain your symptoms, get a second and a third opinion.

Pain doesn’t happen by chance; it’s a symptom. Do not over-stress your body, and take care of it now!

What do you do with unbearable discomfort?

Okay, so let’s say you already know what’s causing your discomfort.

You’ve seen a few doctors and decided upon a healthy plan to work on yourself.

Your doctor gave you a list of dos and don’ts. You feel you need to find a way to relax and you can’t. You are focusing too much on your discomfort. 

How can you relax to allow your body to get better?

• Massage therapy

• Physiotherapy

• Stretching and breathing exercises

• Distract your mind. Doing something like painting, walking, or baking cookies for friends will help you focus elsewhere – it’s not a cure, but it will help you for now. The idea is to focus elsewhere.

Your doctor didn’t give you painkillers: What’s the best alternative to painkillers?

Finding the right pain management strategy takes time. Be patient with your body as you try out different techniques. It’s a journey. Choosing and finding solutions is an individual situation.

• Massage.

• Gentle exercises and stretching.

• Acupuncture.

• Acupressure.

• TENS Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation- electrical current on the specific areas with pain.

• Vibrating mats or balls to help you relax your body.

• Meditation.

• Walking or any movement that will shift your mindset.

• Hot and cold compresses- talk to your doctor to find out which suits your condition. Cold compresses may be better if you have back issues, but your doctor may say to do both hot and cold!

• Cognitive behavior therapy.

• Bioelectric therapy.

• Anti-inflammatory herbs.

• CBD oil– consult your doctor before taking this, as it may affect other medications.

What stops nerve pain now?

Medication will address urgent care, but you must find the best long-term treatment. Your doctor will know how to prescribe medication for your condition.

Be mindful of addictive medicines; you’ll want to take these for a short time and start working on long-term treatment as soon as possible. 

What are the best holistic approaches to pain?

Acupuncture.

Massage.

Anti-inflammatory foods.

Essential oils for the body, like Arnica, can help with muscle pain and others.

Acupressure.

Herbs.

Ways to manage severe chronic pain

Daily activities!

Endorphins help you with pain- they help with everything, which is why it’s so important to be active!

Be active several times a day. The last thing you want to do is sit or lie down on the couch—when your body is still, the pain will seem huge.

Schedule 30-minute walks in the morning and afternoon.

Take breaks from sitting and move around the house or your desk at work.

Get up and move your body as soon as you feel pain – even if you can only move slowly.

Low-dose medication prescribed by your doctor.

Breathing techniques.

Essential oils. Sniff natural lavender oil to relax, try breathing techniques, and move around. The Lavender oil will shift your mindset so you can focus elsewhere.

Physical therapy sessions.

Alternative treatments.

What’s the best treatment for chronic pain?

There is no “best treatment” for everyone because we all react to treatment and medication differently. I’m sorry to say that you must find what works for you. Be patient, and don’t be afraid to try out different options. 

Pain management is a personal journey. 

A good treatment will put you in control of your body and your mind.

Side effects of chronic pain:

Depression and mental health in general.

Social isolation.

Lack of motivation.

Eating unhealthy foods for comfort.

Lack of focus.

Lack of patience with everything.

Overall discomfort.

Pain disrupts and debilitates your life. Deal with your discomfort efficiently and quickly. Don’t let it linger and cause other illnesses. 

If you have chronic pain, learn about your symptoms and causes and plan for your crisis moments. The idea is to control your discomfort and not let it ruin your life.

Don’t give up if you haven’t found the perfect solution. You may need to do several pain management techniques at the same time.