Chronic pain is defined as persistent pain that lasts for more than three months. It can be caused by a number of things, including a preexisting injury, strain from athletics or various conditions. Living with constant pain is incredibly draining, and those who live with it will do just about anything to alleviate it to whatever extent that they can. A lot of methods to relieve pain, however, are incredibly time consuming and expensive. Having dealt with pain since I was sixteen, I’ve tried many different products to help manage it.

In my experience, the most useful product that I have used is a posture corrector. Although I deal with pain across my whole body, my back is the most prominent and debilitating. On campus, there are not a lot of seating options that provide adequate back support from those of us who may need it, which can prevent us from being able to sit through sports games, stay in the library for periods of time, or even sit at our desks in our dorm. This product. A posture corrector is a wearable device that gently aligns your shoulders and spine to encourage proper posture. By keeping your body in a more natural position, it helps reduce strain on your back, neck and shoulders, which can ease chronic pain over time.

Another tool that I have found useful is an acupressure mat. Acupuncture can be incredibly helpful when it comes to managing chronic pain, however, it is pricey and not every insurance will cover it. This product is an affordable alternative. An acupressure mat is a cushioned mat covered with small, plastic spikes designed to stimulate pressure points on the body. When you lie or sit on it, the mat promotes circulation, relaxes muscles, and releases tension. Regular use can help relieve chronic pain, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

A Theragun is a handheld device that delivers rapid pulses of pressure deep into the muscles. This helps increase blood flow, release knots, and reduce inflammation caused by tension or overuse. For people with chronic pain, using a Theragun can loosen stiff muscles, improve mobility, and provide relief similar to a deep tissue massage. It’s especially useful after workouts or long days of sitting, helping the body recover faster and feel more relaxed overall. While more expensive than other options, it is worth the investment to have a tool always readily available to provide a much needed massage to stiff muscles.

Chronic pain is never easy to live with, but it does not have to be impossible. Everybody who lives with chronic pain deserves to have the tools necessary to relieve said pain, and these are only a few of the many options that can help you every day.