This article is written in collaboration with Asbestos.com.
If you’re coping with chronic pain, you’re no stranger to the everyday challenges that come along with it. Chronic pain — defined by persistent pain that lasts at least three months — is the number one cause of disability globally.
Chronic pain is typically caused by an underlying condition. The four most common sources of pain are joint pain and arthritis, neuropathic pain, headaches and migraines, and back pain. People with cancer, fibromyalgia, and digestive issues may also experience pain.
Tackling your specific pain depends largely on the cause of it. The science of pain management has increased greatly in recent years, and no one should have to live in pain. Talk to your doctor about a treatment plan that’s right for you. Don’t be alarmed if the plan includes prescription pain medication. There is a negative stigma around pain medication — but according to the American Addiction Centers, responsible use of prescription medications help nearly two-thirds of chronic pain patients.
In addition to doctor-recommended medications and treatment options, there are some simple lifestyle choices you can make to boost your health and quality of life: