Anyone who has experienced pain for several months or longer whether it’s arthritis, back pain, migraines, or something else are suffering from a condition known as chronic pain. Chronic pain is a complex condition that affects 42 million-50 million Americans, according to the American Pain Foundation. According to the National Sleep Foundation, two out of three people with chronic pain have trouble sleeping. Despite decades of research, chronic pain remains poorly understood and notoriously hard to control. Chronic and acute pain can cause stress and poor health. As a correlation, pain can lead to lack of sleep, disturbed sleep, shorter sleep, worse sleep quality, and insomnia. This lack of sleep is one of the most common and disruptive symptoms of pain.
In addition to preventing a person from falling asleep, pain also results in difficulty staying asleep. And once pain keeps you awake one night, it is likely to do the same thing again and again. Pain-related insomnia gets worse over time. Tracey Marks, MD, an Atlanta-based psychiatrist says, “Pain is a sensation you feel when nerves are stimulated to an intense degree… This stimulation activates the brain, which keeps you awake.”
Unfortunately, the process of pain and insomnia can become a vicious circle in which sleep deprivation makes you more sensitive to pain. Pain medications interrupt sleep. Unfortunately, some of the medications prescribed for pain, such as codeine and morphine, can cause insomnia.
Manage your Pain for better Sleep
The good news is that controlling your chronic pain reduces anxiety and depression, improves sleep, and makes for better overall quality of life. And in even trying to manage pain, you can get a sense of control that is empowering and can aid in sleep.
Some pain management methods to aid in sleep are:
Use of pain medications – tell your doctor about the sleep problems you’re having as a result of your pain. Be sure to always follow the orders given to you by your healthcare professional. Painkillers and/or sleeping pills can help for some people, but they should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
Calm yourself with meditation and other relaxation techniques – When done effectively, as little as 10 minutes of daily meditation can help you to mentally manage your pain. There are many different types of meditation, including guided meditation, tai chi, and yoga. But you can also improvise by using deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or focus on an object or scene.
Use of Home Ultrasound Therapy for Pain Relief – tackling the actual cause of pain with therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound can reduce pain in a drug-free, effective and convenient way.
Sonic Relief recommends keeping your Sonic Relief on your bedside table or near your bed for use on chronic pain
ailments before going to sleep. One 10-minute treatment before bed will initiate healing, inflammation reduction and pain relief that can last all night. A good night’s sleep can make all the difference in managing chronic pain.
And, as a bonus, your Sonic Relief will be at your bedside table to do a treatment when waking up to help give you a pain free day. A pain free day means that you can be active and go about normal activities. And being active during the day is very important to getting better sleep.
Good Sleep Hygiene – better sleep, better life!
Practicing what’s known as “good sleep hygiene” is key to achieving a good night’s sleep. Some tips for people with sleep-affected chronic pain are:
Make your environment conducive for sleep – environmental factors affect those who suffer from pain related disturbed sleep more making it more difficult for them to get a good night’s sleep. These factors include noise, light, temperature and their mattresses alike, suggesting that taking greater care of the bedroom environment may be particularly helpful to pain sufferers.
In addition, scents such as Lavender can be beneficial in helping to aid sleep. Sonic Relief’s powerful medicated ultrasound gel is specially formulated to work alongside the Sonic Relief device to aid in healing and pain relief and contains lavender, eucalyptus, as well as other natural pain relievers and anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Exercise to promote good quality sleep
Exercising for as little as 10 minutes per day can drastically improve nighttime sleep quality, activities such as walking or cycling are recommended. Avoiding strenuous workouts close to bedtime should be avoided however the effects of exercise on sleep differs from person to person. The use of Sonic Relief can be helpful in aiding daytime relief to make activity more accessible for those suffering from chronic pain.
Stop or limit stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine consumption – Caffeine obviously disrupts sleep patterns; if you must have a caffeine boost, enjoy it before noon.
Limit alcohol intake, particularly in the evening – While alcohol is a well-known depressant and may help you fall asleep faster, too much close to bedtime can disrupt sleep in the second half of the night as the body begins to process the alcohol.
Use of sleeping pills are effective (under the supervision of a physician) – There is no perfect treatment for pain and sleeplessness. It all depends on your particular case – the kind of pain you have and other medications you take, for instance. Over-the-counter drugs are not intended for long-term use. Instead, talk to your health care provider so you can get a personalized treatment plan.
Limiting daytime naps to 30 minutes – While napping does not make up for inadequate nighttime sleep, a short nap of 20-30 minutes can help improve mood, alertness, and performance.
Ensuring adequate exposure to natural light – This is particularly important for individuals who may not venture outside frequently, for example those who work evening shift work. Exposure to sunlight during the day, as well as darkness at night, helps to maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
Establishing a regular relaxing bedtime routine – A regular nightly routine helps the body recognize that it is bedtime. This could include taking a warm shower or bath, reading a book, or light stretches. When possible, try to avoid emotionally upsetting conversations and activities before attempting to sleep.
Guaranteed Relief If you suffer from pain that causes lack of sleep try Sonic Relief. Sonic Relief comes with a 60 day money back guarantee – definitely worth a try! You can order your Sonic Relief™ here: