by Laura Hinds

Created on: June 08, 2009

Pain management is as unique as both the individual and the type of pain. While aspirin may work well for one person's headache, another may require complete silence and darkness to wait it out.

One person may have back pain every single day and become accustomed to it; another may find it debilitating to the point that they become bedridden.

Tooth pain may send you scurrying to the dentist, or you may tough it out until your next appointment.

For many types of pain, ice or cold compresses really do help do the trick. It is perhaps the best overall tip for pain relief because it covers the spectrum of many types of pain, from back pain to leg pain, to headache, tooth ache and even eye strain. Ice works to help eliminate or reduce inflammation. Inflammation is a major source of several types of pain, but most specifically arthritis pain, and arthritis affects almost any part of the human body.

Typically it is suggested that ice packs or compresses be applied for fifteen minute intervals, with fifteen minutes off in between. You will need to find what works best for you through the process of trial and error. As mentioned above, cold even works for eye strain, but in this case, the cold is less intense. Cool slices of fresh cucumber applied to your closed eyelids will offer soothing relief in a short period of time.

On the other end of the scale of pain relief tips, warm or even hot water can be extremely helpful. For menstrual cramps a hot bath can be a most welcome friend, especially when you have a gently warm heating pad waiting for you when you dry off. Many types of chronic pain, including most arthritis will also benefit from very warm water, often in the form of a therapeutic pool. The warm water helps not only to alleviate your pain, but your range of motion will be much better and allow you to exercise in a way that you may not be able to on land. The exercise will also bring great benefits health wise and may provide relief for hours or days after your time in the pool

Over the counter pain relief creams are also available in both cooling gels and warm to hot creams or lotions that you rub onto the affected area several times a day. These can work in conjunction with other therapies as recommended by your doctor.

Not surprisingly, being able to discuss your pain freely and openly may help as well. You may find that family members and friends do tire of hearing about it. People who do not suffer from long term, or even acute pain are just unable to understand how bad it can be. There are support groups available all over the country, and on line as well. Having the chance to share your pain in words, verbally or written, can help to take the power of the pain away. You name it, you own it, and you share it with others who can empathize. Words are a very powerful tool.

Most importantly you must be willing to open up to your doctor and describe exactly where it hurts, when it hurts, and how you have been able to help yourself at home. He or she can then help set up a proper pain management program for you, or perhaps refer you to a specialty pain clinic who can deal specifically with your pain. There are many new methods coming along every year as medical science advances.

Perhaps the best pain relief tip of all, is don't be afraid to ask for help! Talk to your family, talk to your doctor, and if you don't feel up to dealing with it all yourself, ask someone to advocate for you. Take the power out of the pains control.

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