Holiday Season Survival Guide: Don't Let Pain Ruin Your Holidays

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and spending quality time with loved ones. However, if you suffer from chronic pain, this can be a challenging time of year. Instead of letting discomfort ruin your holidays, consider proactive measures to prevent and manage pain. One such preventative step is to schedule a consultation with a doctor specializing in interventional pain management. This article offers tips to help you manage your pain this holiday season.

Pain Management Tips

There are several lifestyle changes and self-care techniques that can be used to help you manage pain. However, it's important to note that these tips are general and may not be recommended for every source of discomfort.

For a personalized plan of care, always seek the advice of a healthcare professional, such as an interventional pain management specialist. Here are some general tips for managing pain during the holiday season.

Have a pain management plan: Avoid overexerting yourself during holiday activities by listening to your body. Take breaks and practice relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises. Minimize pain triggers by using supportive devices, taking frequent breaks, and sharing your needs with your friends and family during holiday gatherings.

Adjust your holiday activities: Don’t make any set-in-stone plans; be flexible and adjust your activities to accommodate your pain level. Don’t hesitate if you need to cancel an activity because of a sudden flare-up.

Use assisted devices: Adopting a comfortable position (such as sitting instead of standing) or using assistive devices while decorating or cooking can significantly reduce discomfort during celebratory occasions.

Manage stress levels: Stress is known to intensify pain. The holiday season often brings added stressors, like trying to meet deadlines for making holiday meals or traveling out of town for family get-togethers. These events often increase a person’s overall stress level. Take breaks when needed, employ mindfulness and deep breathing techniques, and follow your doctor’s advice on stretching, exercise, or other stress management techniques.

Seek Support: Reach out to friends, family, or support group members who understand your situation. During this challenging time, their emotional support can be comforting.

Apply temperature therapy: Ice applications can reduce inflammation, while heat relaxes muscles. Apply heat or cold to relieve pain or alternate with heat, then cold applications, according to your doctor’s advice. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn which option is best for you.

Consider New Treatment Options

If you’ve been unsuccessful at getting pain relief from a traditional pain management program, such as prescription pain medication, consider scheduling an in-office or virtual consultation with one of our interventional pain management specialists at The Spine & Sports Health Center.

Our board-certified, award-winning doctors are experts in providing individualized pain relief. We provide a tailored plan for each client instead of a one-size-fits-all generic care plan. We offer a wide range of advanced therapies and innovative treatments to get you the relief you need. Whether you have a sports-related injury, chronic back, shoulder, or knee pain, or other sources of pain, we can help you minimize your discomfort so you can focus on enjoying your friends and family members this holiday season.