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Living in pain? Here's how to fight back

Staff photo by JOSEPH BROWN III

Yoga can help pain sufferers also contend with the associated anxiety and depression.

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By JACKIE SILVER

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 10, 2009

According to a report published in the British journal The Lancet, more than a quarter of Americans suffer daily pain. Here are some tips to help avoid that pain and to combat it when it does occur.

Lose weight. Carrying around too much weight puts pressure on the knees, back and the joints in general. Research shows that overweight women who lost just 10 pounds greatly controlled the increase of osteoarthritis in their knees.

Try yoga. Research has shown that practicing yoga can alleviate chronic pain. "People suffering from chronic pain go through more than just the pain itself," explains Sonia Gaur of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center's department of psychology. "They contend with anxiety and depression as well as medication usage. Our study found improvement in every area."

Check your posture. When you're standing, distribute your weight evenly on both legs, tuck in your stomach, relax your shoulders and don't stand in one position for too long. When you're sitting, don't sit on the edge of your seat, but do change positions frequently, keep your shoulders relaxed and use arm rests if they're available.

Take care when lifting heavy objects. It is recommended that you get a firm footing with legs shoulder-width apart, bend your knees and use your legs, not your back, to lift heavy objects. Avoid carrying the weight on one side of your body and try to get someone to help you whenever possible.

Remember the mind-body connection. According to researchers, what a person thinks can affect his or her body. WebMD.com reports that 75 percent to 90 percent of all doctor visits are a result of stress-related ailments and complaints. If stress is causing you pain, find ways to eliminate, or at least lessen, that stress. I recommend the book "The Mindbody Prescription" by John Sarno, M.D. (Warner Books, $14).

You don't have to go through life in chronic pain. Try these tips and check with your doctor for ways to manage severe pain.

Jackie Silver is the founder and president of Aging Backwards, LLC, and author of "Aging Backwards: Secrets to Staying Young." Send your questions or comments to jackie@agingbackwards.com or follow her on Twitter, @AgingBackwards. Sign up for her free newsletter at:http://agingbackwards.com.

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