Tips for Raising a Child with Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a very common condition among adults, but that’s not to say kids cannot experience it as well. According to a study, 20% to 35% percent of children worldwide suffer from chronic pain, with 3% requiring intensive rehabilitation.

The good news is that with a concerted pain management strategy, you, along with your healthcare provider, can help make your child’s condition more tolerable. Here are five tips:

Identify the underlying condition

Before you attempt to take matters into your own hands and develop a pain management plan, ensure you know the source of your child’s pain. Your primary care physician can help establish the course and determine if it is possible to eliminate the discomfort by treating whatever underlying condition might exist.

See a pain management expert

Pain management experts are healthcare providers trained to assess pain and prepare personalized treatment plans. Established practices such as Seattle Pain Relief have the right personnel and equipment to get to the bottom of your child’s condition. If you choose to see your primary care physician first, there is a good chance they will refer you to a pain management specialist, so it may actually be more affordable and convenient to go straight to a pain expert.

Introduce your child to deep breathing and meditation

Meditation and deep breathing are age-old relaxation techniques for both adults and children. Meditation and breathing exercises work by easing the tightness and tension in muscles. They also double as distractions, as they keep your child focused on their breath and sensations from parts of the body other than what hurts them. They may also help them ease into restorative sleep, if the pain acts up more at night.

Create an exercise regimen for your child

Endorphins are chemicals released in the brain to help regulate mood and thwart pain signals. Studies have found exercise to accelerate the release of these chemicals. Exercise will also strengthen your child’s muscles and reduce the risk of injury recurrence. Make sure to involve a pain expert, as the presence of certain medical conditions may call for the avoidance of particular exercises.

Adjust their diet plan

Studies show that nutrition and obesity are directly connected to chronic pain. Some foods can cause inflammation, while obesity results in excessive pressure and weight on muscles and joints, leading to pain. If your child is overweight, consider filling their diet with vegetables, fruits, whole-grain bread, cereals, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, and low-sodium foods. Combined with a good, consistent exercise regime, a balanced diet can help them shed the extra pounds and take some load off their joints and bones.

In closing…..

These are some of the simplest and most effective ways to work on managing your child’s chronic pain and help them cope with stress that can result from frustration over the discomfort.  Just be sure to always consult your doctor for validation that you are on the right healing path for your family.

Tags: pain management