My 9 Chronic Pain Must Haves

People with chronic pain will try almost anything to relieve their pain. Dealing with pain constantly gets tiring. Anything that helps even a little is worth it. So here are my 9 chronic pain must haves that I’ve found through some trial and error.

1. Pain Relief Cream

Drawn image of icy hot cream in light pink with the letters in a dark brown and a deep red.

Pain cream is definitely a chronic pain must have for me. It seems to me that most people who use one has a favorite that they find most effective. I haven’t tried enough of them to have an informed favorite, but IcyHot does the trick. Other options are things like Tiger Balm and Biofreeze. Some also have lidocaine or other active ingredients in them so it’s worth trying a few to find out what ingredients work for what pains.

2. Pain Meds

Illustrated bottle of ibuprofen. The pills are dark red while the bottle is white and the lid and label are light pink.

I want to immediately clarify that by pain meds I mean over the counter pain killers that everyone has access to. Different pain killers work differently, so some trial and error is necessary to figure out what will help with what ache or pain.

Important note: I know I’ve said you need to consult your doctor, but in this case I really freaking mean it. Overuse of NSAIDs (like ibuprofen, for example) can result in ulcers and other bad things so it’s important you follow the recommended dosage and talk to your doctor if there’s any chance you’re at risk of developing one. Some medications can react with specific pain killers so make sure to check with your doctor what ones are safe for you to take.

3. Heating Pad/Ice Pack

Illustration of a heating pad. The pad is light pink and the cord is white.

Some pain wants heat, some pain wants ice, and some pain wants both. The more familiar you get with the pain you have the easier it is to tell what will help more. Having both an ice pack and a heating source on hand is vital for pain management.

Illustration of an old fashion ice pack that’s dark red.

Admittedly, I rarely use cold therapy so I just have a basic ice pack. My dad swears by this ice pack that’s big enough for his whole back, though. As far as heat goes, I have plenty of recommendations. A basic heating pad is a must have for back pain and any cramping. I also love my wrap around heating pad for wrist pain and I could not live without my corn bag for more targeted heat therapy.

Illustration of a knee brace that’s light pink.

4. Braces

Braces are available for any joint that needs supporting. As noted, these are something you might want to talk to your doctor about before using one.

Oftentimes braces can be bought from stores like CVS or Target as well as from Amazon. There are different types for most of the major joints (this wrist brace is different from this one and this one). Finger splints are also a thing and are available for purchased from Amazon but also from Etsy.

5. Mobility Aid(s)

The reality is that sometimes chronic pain gets in the way of us living our day to day lives. Mobility aids can help you get around and get through the day. A doctor can best help you figure out what’s right for you.

A cane is good for stability and for pain in your hip/leg; I like this one because it’s foldable so I can bring it with me in case I need it later in the day. A forearm crutch (or crutches) might be a better choice if you are susceptible to pain in your wrist or shoulder, however. Wheelchairs can also be helpful for days when you otherwise wouldn’t be able to get out of bed. There are other options, which I’ll explore in an upcoming blog post. In the meantime, here’s a video you can check out this video to get more ideas of your options.

6. KT Tape/Wrap

Illustration of a roll of light pink KT tape.

Kinesthesiology tape (KT tape for short) is used by athletes to help mitigate and prevent pain (fact check this Robin) but it can also be used to help stabilize your joints.

Although it’s best to be shown how to do it for your specific needs by someone who knows what they’re doing (like a physical/occupational therapist or a sports medicine practitioner), there are a lot of videos online that can also show you how to do it yourself. You can get it from most drugstores and from Amazon. I use the name brand one because I’ve found my skin doesn’t react well to the store brand adhesive. It comes it tons of different colors. Personally I use KT tape a lot to stabilize my ankles and I find it stays better throughout the day if I use athletic wrap to secure it— just a tip!

7. Massager

If you like me struggle with holding tension, some sort of massager is super important. Luckily, there are lots of options out there. From low-tech rollers to high tech back massage devices, the choices you have are nearly endless.

Where your pain is will dictate what kind of massager would be best for you. If your pain is all over it can help to look at something more general like a handheld roller like this one. If you generally have pain in your back, something that specifically targets the back (like this massage pillow that I love) might help give you the most relief.

8. Percussive Massager

A percussive massage is exactly what it sounds like: a massager that repeatedly hits you. But in a nice way. Most of the time. These are excellent for releasing tension from muscles and mine is a must have for me.

I am lucky enough to have a mini Theragun, which is a very expensive brand of percussive massager. There are options at all price ranges however. If you’re interested, a YouTuber named Ali Spagnoli made a video comparing a bunch of them here that you can check out to find a good one in your price range.

9. A Tens Unit

A TENS unit (or transcutaneous epidermal stimulation unity) is a pain relief machine that uses a very mild electrical current to “reduce the pain signals going to the spinal cord and brain, which may help relieve pain and relax muscles" (NHS). This can be really helpful to release tense muscles and interrupt pain signals to help reduce pain.

There a lot of options for TENS units at a lot of different price points. I can’t speak to quality based on price, but I’ve never had a problem with cheaper ones. Whatever unit you choose to buy, make sure that it’s FDA approved! This one is pretty big so it’s best for at home use whereas this one is good for on the go (note, I have not tried these ones).

Other People’s Must Have Lists

Kelsey Darragh, who you probably know from her time at Buzzfeed, has spoken a lot on her YouTube channel about her health and her pain. She made this video about what she finds helps her chronic illness most. It has a lot of good information in it especially for those who are open to using CBD/marijuana for pain relief.

This list is from The Mighty, a website the focuses on chronic illness. It’s for things everyone with chronic pain should keep on their nightstand. The list is substantially different than mine so it’s worth checking out.

This list from Buzzfeed runs through all the products on Amazon that reviewers swear by for chronic pain. Make sure you check that everything is FDA approved or considered safe before trying it.

What are your chronic pain must haves?

Do you absolutely swear by something that’s on my list? Did you see something on the list that you’re now dying to try? Talk to me in the comments and let me know :)