I’m going to be real with y’all this week. I’m not one to complain, I’m usually not one to say when I am in pain. I’m a warrior, I deal with it and move on with my day. But just in case someone else needs another option they haven’t thought of, or if it helps someone take the next step in discovering their chronic pain I am sharing how I handle mine.

I am not a doctor or medical professional. I do recommend that you seek guidance from your doctor before attempting any of the following remedies.

My back pain is a long story. One I have been dealing with for a decade, but it took that long for me to not only get a handle on what works but also go and actually see a doctor who confirmed it. I finally decided last month that this has gone on long enough and put my big girl panties on and dealt with it. I have arthritis. I am 29 years old. I am in constant pain that ranges from 5-10. My doctor not only confirmed it, but also told me that everything that I was doing was correct! That’s certainly a relief! The only suggestion she made was to add yoga/stretching into my busy routine.

So how do I deal with it? One of my favorites is my tens unit. I was literally mid workout earlier this week when my back seized up. #NoExcuses So I took a couple minutes, put my tens unit on and continued my workout with it clipped to my bra. For those that don’t know a tens unit sends out pulses to certain areas of your body. Just put the patches on where you need it and bump up the level. It’s kind of like a muscle massager, but a whole lot stronger. I’ve noticed that the battery operated ones tend to last longer than the rechargeable. Here is a similar model. I have fallen asleep to this little miracle worker so many times I can’t even count.

Cool Azul is Young Living’s answer to those heat/cooling gels. I tend to keep this guy in my purse so I can put it on at work or whenever I need it. It smells like menthol and works wonders on my back. It’s a quick relief that helps when I am on the move. You may be asking why I don’t take pain killers, well, I do. But only if I’m REALLY desperate. I’m not one to just start popping pills, so you know I’m at a 10 when the Tylenol extra strength makes an appearance.

Although those are my constant go-to’s there are other options that I turn to on a regular basis as well. Heat seems to be what helps me the most, I even turn on the heated seats in my Mom’s car whenever I drive it because it helps relieve my back. Even in the Summer y’all! I have a hot tub in my back yard and am often found there on the weekends, I especially love it in the Winter months. Sometimes I will just use a heating pad for a quicker option.

I schedule regular massages. Yes, they cost a bit and when they no longer were helping I sought other options. Lately I have found the absolute best massage therapist in the Ann Arbor area, go check out Lindsey! 😉 I like to treat myself to an appointment every so often.

Above all else, I keep moving! There are definitely days where I don’t want to get out of bed, but I’m way to stubborn for that. I ALWAYS get up, I move, I work out, I keep going. Most importantly I keep LIVING!

Hopefully this helped some of you, if you have other options let me know I’d love to hear them! Have a blessed weekend y’all, I certainly have a busy one! I’m reffing on Saturday and finally seeing Captain Marvel on Sunday as well as some photoshoots.