Chronic pain is relentless and can appear anywhere in your body at any given time. Depending on personal circumstances some people find physical activity worsens the pain while others find it helps to alleviate pain.

My own experience – I find my pain alters constantly depending on the weather, how much physical activity I have undertaken that day and how fatigued my body is. Interestingly I have found my body now struggles in warm weather as well as cold wet weather, something it never did before.

In terms of pain related to my PCOS I find I have agonising stomach and back ache which tends to reside on one side more than the other inline with my ovaries.

Tips for chronic pain: As always please check with your doctor/specialist before trying any new tips or ideas.

• Osteopathy – This is a good option if money allows as it works to manipulate muscles and joints through stretching, massage and movements. Osteopathy can be gentle on your body as long as you communicate your needs with the clinician beforehand.

• Massage Therapy – Another option you can get done either professionally or just by having a very generous friend or family member! Do remember if using an untrained person to express the strength of massage you want to avoid injury and opt for a gentle relaxing massage rather than anything too vigorous. If unsure it is better to stick to a professional who will not only able to help with your aches and pains but aid in relaxation too.

• Exercise – This is definitely a try and try again process as everyone is different and you may find some exercises work better for you than others. The key is not to push yourself, take it slow and steady and don’t overdo it. – I personally am unable to do any form of exercise unless it is a short walk once or twice a week depending on symptoms (Updated 2022). However, this will vary person to person, condition to condition.

• Heat Pads – Depending on the area of your body that is in pain you may find either warming or cooling pads/compresses helpful. You can now purchase heat pads from any health related shop for both period and back pain. You can use them to stick on the outside of your underwear to soothe the area that is painful. Never put them directly onto your skin as they can get rather hot and may burn. Alternatively using a hot water bottle is a good option when at home to ease any painful areas. Cooling pads can also be used for muscular pain depending on your preference.

• Speak to your doctor – If your pain is difficult to manage then it is important you consult your doctor/specialist if possible. Make notes before your appointment so you don’t miss any important information you want to say and be open and honest about your pain levels. Your doctor can then advise you of any treatment plans including medications, exercise regimes and support groups.

There is no doubt chronic pain can be overwhelming, constant and just downright draining. However trying to find one or two small tips although may not take your pain away, will still hopefully help you to manage your pain levels more effectively.