Managing chronic back pain – a guide for OAP Veterans

Is there anything more debilitating than chronic back and neck pain? Whether you have a problem with your sciatic nerve or lumbar and cervical strains on your back, having to adjust your life and miss out on the things you love is incredibly frustrating. 

This kind of injury is common amongst army veterans either due to years of putting stress and strain on their bodies, an accident whilst in service or as a direct result of combat, the last thing any veteran wants is to suffer from this kind of pain when they return to civilian life. You probably have a treatment plan in place with your doctor, but is there anything else you could be doing to ease the pain and discomfort you feel every day?

Here we’ll look at how you can manage your chronic back pain.

Get your finances in order

Did you know that stress can make your pain symptoms worse? Therefore, if you’re worrying about your finances, then it’s only going to make your back and neck pain worse. If your injuries are a result of your time in the military, then you could be entitled to VA Disability – check out the latest 2020 VA disability rate pay chart here. This payment could make a significant difference to your finances and help you focus on managing your pain and enjoyment. The process is often complicated, so click the link above for more information. 

Try to exercise

This should only be considered if you have the go-ahead from your doctor. Moving your body in a form of gentle exercise does not only have obvious health benefits but you can also benefit from the positive release of endorphins that comes with regular exercise. Exercise makes you feel good! Some low impact exercises are a great place to start:

• Swimming
• Walking
• Cycling
• Stretching/Yoga

If exercise does not ease the pain, it might be time to see a healthcare professional. A Chiropractor can help to diagnose the issue and offer treatment to ease the pain and help you attain a better quality of life.

Reduce your alcohol intake

Ok, so no one deserves that beer more than you. However, if you’re already struggling to sleep due to your back pain then you might want to cut back. Alcohol can exacerbate sleep problems, keeping you awake and making you more stressed, uncomfortable and restless. 

Join a support group

Veterans of all ages are encouraged to join local support groups. This keeps up morale, allows you to feel connected to your military life and make friends with people who’ve had similar experiences. Joining a support group for chronic pain suffers is also recommended.

**Collaborative post**