Patient Education Colorectal Cancer: Your Care and Recovery | Page 30

Other Ways to Manage Pain Here are ideas for other ways to manage your pain. These help you manage the pain instead of taking it away. Some of these you can learn to use with practice when you do not have pain. Planning ahead or practicing a pain control method helps you use the method better when you do have pain. • Activity — Start moving as soon as you are able after surgery, as long as your surgeon says it’s okay. Moving helps your breathing and digestion and helps you heal faster. It may hurt to move, but moving and being active helps lessen pain over time. • Deep Breathing — Taking slow deep breaths can help you relax and lessen your pain. • Distraction — This method teaches you to focus your attention on something other than pain. Playing cards or games, talking, and visiting with family may relax you and keep you from thinking about the pain. Watching TV or reading may also be helpful. • Music — Whether you listen to music, sing, hum, or play an instrument, music helps increase blood flow to the brain and helps you breathe more deeply and slowly. It increases energy and helps change your mood. Music may also cause your brain to make endorphins, which further lessen pain. • Relaxation Techniques — Stress and anxiety can make pain worse and may slow healing. Since it is hard to avoid stress, learning how to control it is important. The following are some ways to help you relax: — Use extra pillows and blankets to stay in a position of comfort for you. — Make sure the room is the right temperature for you. — Ask someone to massage your back, hands, or feet to help lessen your pain. — Placing a cool cloth on your hands or face may make you feel better. — Keep the lights and noise in your room as low as possible. — Have the curtain around your bed pulled or the door to your room closed. This will lessen interruptions so that you can relax. — Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a place you find relaxing. Think about sounds or sights that you enjoy. 29