When pain lasts for more than three months it is considered chronic. It may not be severe, but if it never really goes away, it is chronic. Intermittent on the other hand is when the pain comes and goes.
Chronic pain can be very upsetting, especially when it affects your ability to perform your daily routine. You have likely tried to walk it off, ice, heat, stretching, over-the-counter pills…and yet nothing seems to correct the problem. This is when you need to really dig in and be persistent. You may need to see a professional about this condition, but you may want to try a few things first. For muscle and joint pains you may be able to help by locating the tightest muscles and releasing the tension in them. Push your fist into the muscle, lie on a golf ball or lacrosse ball, or have someone push their elbow or thumb into it and hold for 15 seconds. Be careful not to overdo it and cause more pain. If you’re not sure, speak to a Professional such as a Chiropractor, Registered Massage Therapist, or Physiotherapist.
In this article, let’s look at a few common problems in the lower body and where to look for the offending muscles:
Lower Back/Hip Pain – just above your beltline, two inches on either side of the spine
- About two inches below that
- Then one inch outward
- Then three inches lower
Knee – on the inner parts of your knee that touch together, go just above until you hit the soft muscle on your lower, inner thigh and rub up and down for about four inches
- Just above the knee cap, with leg straight
- On the outer side of your shin, just below the kneecap from about two to five inches below
- The outer side of your whole thigh from knee to hip bone (IT Band)
This type of pressure point therapy can help to relieve the pain. You can try 15 seconds of pressure…no more than twice per day. Even the most experienced professionals still need help from another professional sometimes. The idea here is to bring some relief and help find the source of your chronic pain. Make an appointment with your Professional for a more thorough examination and help.