Heat plasters, facial massage, acupressure mats and the little things helping me get through another painful month.
Living with chronic pain means constantly looking for ways to make life a little more bearable. Not necessarily to become pain-free, because unfortunately that's not my reality, but to find those little moments of relief that make a difficult day slightly easier.
I've been thinking about starting a monthly series where I share the products I've been using to help manage my chronic pain. Some are old favourites, others are new discoveries, and occasionally there will be products that simply haven't worked for me.
I want these posts to be honest. I'm not here to tell you that I've discovered a miracle product that has taken away all my pain. I wish I could! Instead, I'll be sharing the things that help take the edge off, release a little tension, offer some comfort, or simply help me get through the day.
And this past month? Well, it's certainly been a painful one.
A little pain update
My neck pain has been particularly horrendous this month. At times, the pain and tension become so intense that I feel almost panicked, desperately wanting some way to release the pressure.
It's difficult to explain unless you've experienced that level of pain. Sometimes it feels as though I want to physically reach into my neck and release whatever is causing such unbearable tension. Not because I want to hurt myself, but because I'm so desperate for the pain to ease.
It's an overwhelming feeling, when the pain becomes so consuming that all you can think about is finding some relief. Even the tiniest amount.
And the worst part? I can feel my body tensing against the pain, which only seems to make everything worse. My shoulders tighten, my jaw clenches, and before I know it, I'm caught in that vicious circle of pain creating tension and tension creating more pain.
I know that probably sounds strange, but it's the closest I can get to describing just how overwhelming the pain and tension can become.
The pain hasn't been limited to my neck, either. My upper shoulder blade and right arm have been particularly troublesome, and I've experienced a couple of flare-ups in my lower back.
Then there's my jaw.
Oh, my jaw!
The pain around my jaw joints has been horrendous, with constant clenching, intense tension and shooting pains through my face. Sometimes I don't even realise how tightly I'm clenching until I consciously check what my body is doing.
And that's something I've been noticing more and more lately.
Pain makes me tense, and the tension seems to make the pain worse.
It's a vicious circle that I'm desperately trying to break.
So, with all that going on, here are the products I've been reaching for this month.
Heat plasters — an old favourite that's losing its magic?
Heat plasters have been one of my go-to pain management products for quite some time.
I've been using them particularly at bedtime, when I'm trying to settle down and get comfortable enough to sleep.
There's something soothing about having that warmth against a painful area. It doesn't eliminate the pain, but it can soften the intensity slightly, and sometimes that's all I'm hoping for.
However, they don't seem to be as effective as they once were.
I'm not entirely sure why. Perhaps my pain levels have simply been so high that the warmth isn't enough to make much difference anymore.
I'm still using them because they offer some comfort, but I'm definitely not getting the same level of relief that I remember.
It's frustrating when something you've relied on starts to feel less helpful.
My new facial massager — a welcome discovery
Now, this has been one of my more positive discoveries this month!
I've started using a facial massage device, that heats up, primarily to help with the horrible tension around my jaw joints.
With the amount of clenching I've been doing, the muscles around my jaw have felt incredibly tight and painful.
I've found the facial massager extremely helpful for easing some of that tension.
It doesn't magically take away the jaw pain, but it gives me a sense of release in an area that often feels permanently clenched.
And when your jaw has been hurting as much as mine has, even a small release of tension feels wonderful.
This is definitely a product I'll be continuing to use, and one I'd like to talk about in more detail once I've spent longer with it.
Capsaicin cream — relief with a rather annoying downside
When my jaw pain reaches particularly high levels, I've occasionally been reaching for my capsaicin cream.
I find that it can gradually take the edge off the pain. It's not instant relief, and it certainly doesn't get rid of the pain completely, but I sometimes notice a slow easing of the intensity.
Unfortunately, there's a rather significant downside.
My eyes!
Capsaicin cream can cause an intense burning sensation if it gets into your eyes, and I've found it incredibly difficult to avoid accidentally transferring it.
I'll apply the cream, forget I've used it, or it hasn’t washed off fully, I touch my face without thinking, and then rub my eye.
And oh, does it sting!
Because of this, I'm very cautious about using it and only tend to reach for it when my jaw pain is particularly severe.
It's one of those products where I have to weigh up the potential relief against the irritation and inconvenience of using it.
An important note: capsaicin cream should be kept away from the eyes and sensitive facial areas, and not all formulations are suitable for use on the face. I'm sharing my experience rather than recommending this application. Please check the product instructions and speak to a pharmacist or healthcare professional before considering it for facial or jaw pain.
My acupressure mat — that lovely warming sensation
My acupressure mat has also been getting plenty of use.
If you've never seen one, it's essentially a mat covered in lots of little plastic spikes.
It might not sound particularly comfortable, but I find that lying on it creates a lovely warming sensation across the areas in contact with the mat.
For me, that sensation can provide a welcome distraction from the pain and help me feel a little more relaxed.
There's something about lying still on the mat and allowing my body to settle that I find soothing.
Again, it's not a cure, and it doesn't make the pain disappear, but it's one of those things I keep coming back to when I'm desperate for a little comfort.
My acupressure pillow — uncomfortable ears, happier neck!
Alongside my mat, I also have an acupressure pillow, which I often use for my neck.
Now, I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this one!
The problem is positioning it.
I want the little spikes to press against certain areas of my neck, but when I manage to get it into the right position, they also seem to press against my ears.
And that is seriously uncomfortable!
I find myself constantly trying to adjust the pillow so I can get the pressure exactly where I want it without irritating my ears.
But here's the thing.
The sensation of release I get in my neck makes the awkward positioning worthwhile.
When my neck feels incredibly tight, I find the pressure from the pillow can provide some welcome relief.
It's certainly not the most comfortable product to get into position, but it's one I continue reaching for.
Massage gun — tackling those horrible shoulder knots
My shoulders have been particularly troublesome this month.
I get some really nasty knots around my shoulder muscles, which I think are made worse by the way I unconsciously tense my body when I'm in pain.
I've been using my massage gun on the muscles around my shoulders to try to ease some of that tightness.
I find that gentle use can help the muscles feel a little less tense, even if the relief doesn't last as long as I'd like.
It's another product that doesn't solve the underlying pain, but it can offer a small amount of comfort when my muscles feel particularly tight.
I'm careful to keep it away from my neck itself and any bony or particularly sensitive areas, especially with the pain I've been experiencing.
Heated neck pillow — sometimes gentle warmth is enough
I've also been using my heated neck pillow.
This is another product that offers very subtle relief, but I really like it.
I particularly enjoy the gentle, low-level warmth around my neck.
When my neck is extremely painful, I don't always want something pressing firmly against it or applying lots of pressure. Sometimes I just want warmth and comfort.
And that's what this pillow gives me.
It doesn't dramatically reduce my pain levels, but the warmth feels soothing, and there are times when that alone makes it worth using.
Sometimes the smallest comforts are the ones you appreciate most.
Trying to break the pain and tension cycle
Alongside the products I've been using, I've also been making more of a conscious effort to relax my body.
And goodness, it's harder than it sounds!
I've realised that I spend so much time unconsciously tensing my muscles.
I don't even know I'm doing it.
Then I'll stop, check in with my body, and realise my shoulders are raised, my jaw is clenched, and my muscles are all tightened up again.
And I think, damn it, I'm tensing again!
The trouble is, when you're in pain, your body seems to brace itself automatically.
But that tension can then add to the discomfort, leaving me stuck in this exhausting cycle.
So I've been trying to introduce more gentle yoga stretches and meditation into my routine.
I'm not doing anything particularly strenuous. It's more about gentle movement, slowing down, becoming aware of my body, and consciously allowing my muscles to relax.
Meditation has been especially useful for encouraging me to check in with how I'm holding my body.
Am I clenching my jaw?
Are my shoulders creeping up towards my ears?
Am I holding tension somewhere without realising?
It's surprising how often the answer is yes.
I'm hoping that by becoming more aware of these habits, I can start interrupting that cycle a little more often.
It's definitely a work in progress!
Products I'm curious about trying next
There are a couple of things I've been thinking about exploring.
LED light therapy
I've been curious about LED and red-light therapy devices for sore muscles.
I've seen various products advertised, and I'd like to look into the research behind them, what they might realistically offer, and whether they're worth the investment.
I'm certainly not expecting miracles, but I'm interested in finding out more.
TENS machines
A TENS machine is another product I'd like to explore.
The idea of using gentle electrical stimulation to help manage certain types of pain interests me, particularly because I'm always looking for additional ways to make the difficult days a little more manageable.
Of course, I'd want to make sure it was appropriate for my particular pain problems and understand where it can safely be used before trying one.
If I do end up purchasing either of these, I'll share my experience in a future post.
My thoughts at the end of the month
Looking back, it's been a particularly difficult month for pain.
My neck and jaw have been the biggest challenges, and there have been days when the intensity has felt completely overwhelming.
But if there's one thing this month has reminded me, it's that pain relief doesn't always mean being pain-free.
Sometimes it's the warmth of a heat plaster.
Sometimes it's a facial massager easing a little of the tension around my jaw.
Sometimes it's lying on my acupressure mat, feeling that warming sensation spread across my back.
And sometimes it's simply noticing that I'm clenching every muscle in my body and taking a moment to consciously relax.
None of these things has taken away my chronic pain.
Some barely turn the volume down at all.
But when you're living with persistent pain, even the smallest amount of relief can feel significant.
And that's really what I want this monthly series to be about.
Not miracle cures. Not products that promise to change your life overnight.
Just an honest look at the little things I'm using to help me live with chronic pain, what works for me, what doesn't, and what I discover along the way.
Because sometimes, taking the edge off is the best we can hope for. And those little moments of comfort still matter.
Please remember that these are my personal experiences, not medical recommendations. Chronic pain is different for everyone, and what helps me may not be suitable for someone else.
I'd love to know: Are there any products you rely on to make living with chronic pain a little easier? Or have you tried something that you really hoped would help, only to be disappointed?
I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments.
