If you're one of the countless men and women in greater Los Angeles who suffers from chronic pain, you know that living with pain can affect all aspects of your life. From negatively impacting mental health, to reducing your quality of life, to making it incredibly challenging to maintain physical fitness; chronic pain wreaks havoc on those who suffer from it. Though causes of chronic pain vary greatly, it is often the result of disease, previous injuries, or nerve damage. However, for many men and women throughout Los Angeles, the source or cause of the pain can remain elusive, taking time to accurately pinpoint the source of the pain. Irrespective of whether you know what is causing your pain, or you're still not sure why you're experiencing pain; the fact remains that learning to manage pain is vital.

Top Pain Management Specialist, Dr. Ryan Peterson treats men and women suffering from chronic pain with customized treatment plans designed to provide the greatest relief, with the least amount of risk. This means that opioid pain management treatments, are never the preferred treatment. Instead, Dr. Ryan Peterson approaches each individual with a biopsychosocial lens, taking into consideration all aspects of your life, in order to recommend a treatment specific to your pain, that will be as minimally invasive as possible.

His collaborative approach to working with each individual has proven successful for thousands of men and women throughout LA, who have been able to experience relief from pain. This approach works because it gives patients the opportunity to proactively work towards managing their pain through some of the following pain management tips:

• Engage in Physical Activity
  It is vital that you keep moving if you suffer from chronic pain. Exercise helps relieve tension and stress, which can exacerbate pain. Exercise therefore, helps you to retain mobility, and leads to the release of endorphins which help block pain signals.
   
• Adopt Relaxation Techniques
  Pain leads to stress, and inflammation which puts sufferers in a never-ending cycle of pain, stress, worsening pain, and tension. Relaxation techniques aid in calming your body down, so to speak, so that your body is under less stress. Relaxation techniques that Dr. Peterson has recommended, which have helped men and women dealing with chronic pain include breathing techniques, yoga, tai chi, guided imagery/meditation, and others.
   
• Reduce Alcohol Consumption
  Alcohol may seem like it takes the "edge" off of pain, but alcohol tends to worsen sleep problems, which then leads to worsening pain. It is highly recommended that you avoid or restrict alcohol consumption if you're dealing with chronic pain.
   
• Quit Smoking
  Smoking negatively impacts every single system in your body, so there's simply no better time to quit smoking, than now if you're dealing with chronic pain. If you need help quitting smoking, talk to Dr. Ryan Peterson about resources and support you can take advantage of, to increase your chance of success.
   
• Consider Therapy or a Support Group
  Living with chronic pain can feel very isolating. That's why it's important to have a support system in place. While some men and women find the support they crave in dedicated pain support groups, others may find support through one on one work with a therapist. Talk with Dr. Ryan Peterson about how to connect with support as you deal with chronic pain.
   
• Maintain a Healthy Diet
  Reducing inflammation can help reduce pain, so it's important that you're eating a healthy diet, in order to best manage your chronic pain. Low fat and low sodium diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean meats are best.
   
• Follow Your Doctor's Plan
  To best help you manage chronic pain, it's important to abide by your treatment plan. For example, if part of your care involves physical therapy, it's important that you perform the at-home stretching or strengthening exercises that are recommended, in addition to maintaining your regular appointments.
   

Managing pain will require effort on your part, but it's always worth it. Learning to reduce your pain gives you greater opportunities and freedom to enjoy your life, and your loved ones. If you're suffering from chronic pain, schedule a consultation with Board Certified Pain Medicine Specialist Dr. Ryan Peterson.

Contact his friendly team at 818-200-8192 to schedule an appointment today.