Among the community who suffer from chronic pain, summer is often a time people dread due to intense heat and humid conditions. But here at Manual Physical Therapy, we want you to enjoy summer days with family and friends without causing a chronic pain flare-up!
The key to making the most of the summer weather is to learn how to manage chronic pain on summer days and take back control of your pain without fear or worry.
So in this blog, we’ll discuss some of our top strategies for managing chronic pain symptoms as well as understanding how chronic pain is affected by high temperatures so you can spend sunny days free from discomfort and full of energy!
How Is Chronic Pain Affected By High Temperatures?
Chronic pain is a long-standing condition that affects millions of people worldwide and usually, the pain isn’t just in one place and can be felt at different points on the body.
Patients struggling with chronic pain often report that their condition worsens or they experience a flare-up when the weather is hot.
It may not seem like the heat would cause problems, but it actually causes your body to release inflammatory chemicals that can cause swelling around joints leading to unnecessary pressure and pain for the patient.
It’s extremely important that chronic pain patients like you have the best strategies to manage chronic pain on summer days like these ones…
Take Breaks From The Heat
If you have plans to leave the house and perhaps pick up some shopping or go for a walk, it’s important that you take a break from activity in the heat.
As you move around in the sun your body will keep heating up potentially causing discomfort and pain which we’re sure you don’t want to happen when you’re trying to enjoy your day!
Find a shady spot to enjoy a cold beverage at a cafe or a park bench with the shadow of a tree to keep you shielded from the heat. Once you’ve cooled down and feel ready to keep moving but remember to take a break regularly!
Hydrate!
It’s important to drink enough water every day regardless of the weather, but when you’re managing chronic pain during summer days it’s even more crucial.
The recommended amount of water you should drink every day is between 2 and 4 liters but on hot days you should drink even more as you will lose a lot through perspiration.
Proper hydration helps to regulate body temperature, lubricate joints, and reduce inflammation, all of which can contribute to greater comfort and mobility.
This is especially important on hot days when the risk of dehydration increases.
As an expert in pain management, I strongly recommend incorporating ample hydration into your summer routine to optimize your quality of life and minimize discomfort.
So stay cool, stay hydrated, and keep chronic pain at bay!
Exercise In the Late Evening Or Early Morning
As a chronic pain sufferer, you will have been told it’s important to keep up your exercise regimen to keep your joints flexible and prevent stiffness.
But we know that our patients hit a stumbling block when the sun comes out as it becomes too hot to exercise during the day.
The best way to get around this is to head outside for your daily exercise early in the morning (if you’re an early riser!) or head out in the evening when the sun is setting and it becomes cooler.
Hit The Pool!
The best way to cool down on a hot day is to hit your local pool and it’s a fantastic option to manage chronic pain on summer days!
Swimming is a low-impact exercise that is great for people who have chronic pain. When you’re swimming through the water it takes the pressure off your joints, allows muscles to stay flexible, and is amazing for cardiovascular health too.
Use Cooling Packs
Managing chronic pain during summer can be a challenging task, but using cooling packs can provide much-needed relief.
When chronic pain flares up in the heat, it often causes added discomfort and fatigue. However, applying a cooling pack to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and numb the nerve endings, thus reducing pain.
The pack does not have to be ice-cold; in fact, cold packs should not be applied directly to the skin and only be applied for a maximum of 25 minutes.
Additionally, cooling packs have no side effects and can be used as often as needed, making them an effective non-pharmaceutical option to manage chronic pain on summer days.
Are You Struggling To Manage Your Chronic Pain On Your Own?
We speak to patients all the time who are trying to manage their chronic pain by themselves, at home in their busy lifestyle and often it can become an overwhelming and stressful experience.
We’re here to tell you that it’s okay to ask for help and guidance! We want you to be able to have the best summer in the sunshine without experiencing chronic pain flare-ups and we can help you achieve that with our summer-ready chronic pain assessment.
During your summer-ready chronic pain assessment, you will be able to talk 1 to 1 with a chronic pain specialist and ask any questions you may have, and receive reassuring answers so you can be confident about your next steps.
Our chronic pain specialists will also talk you through the best holistic treatment options to suit you and your recovery so you can enjoy fun in the Florida sun and combat the heat to manage chronic pain on summer days.
You can arrange your summer-ready chronic pain assessment by filling in our simple web form or giving our Bradenton clinic a call at (941) 226-2605.
Other Free Resources For Managing Chronic Pain
Alternatively, if you feel you aren’t ready to come into our clinic just yet, here’s some more free information to help you manage your chronic pain at home!
Grab your copy of our free downloadable back pain report – free back pain report
Read our other chronic pain blogs – 5 Simple Tips To Prevent Chronic Pain When Driving
Follow us on social media – Manual Physical Therapy and Concierge Services Facebook Page or Manual Concierge PT Instagram
