By now, over 90% of people will have broken their New Year’s resolutions, many having failed as early as the end of January. However heart-felt and earnest the original intention, for many, time, energy and lack of motivation lie at the heart of the broken promises but for some there is a more serious underlying cause. With ‘getting fit’ and ‘being active’ the most common New Year’s resolutions, for those suffering with pain, the hurdle to achieving this goal may seem too big to overcome.

With a reported 19% of adults across Europe suffering from moderate to severe pain, many are prevented from enjoying an active lifestyle or rely heavily on over the counter pain relief. Looking at this issue, the experts at ActiPatch® have put together some top tips to help those living with pain achieve a healthier lifestyle:

Make that first step, no matter how small it may seem, the first step is the most important. The importance of exercise to maintaining health is well documented but it doesn’t mean you have to start training for a marathon on day one. Just ten minutes of low-impact exercise every day will start you on the road to better health.

Use a natural pain reliever for long-term recovery. Taking over the counter pain relievers may help in the short-term but many have problematic side effects and cannot always be used for long periods of time. ActiPatch® pain relief devices work using electromagnetic pulse therapy and are totally drug-free and clinically proven to be very effective in the long-term for easing the symptoms of arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle and joint soreness, sprains and strains.

Remember to warm-up properly, by walking slowly and stretching your muscles before any activity, you decrease the risk of injury. A warm-up will loosen the joints and increase your circulation, allowing blood to flow to the muscles to prepare them for exercise.

Find an exercise partner, you’ll stay more motivated if you have someone to exercise with you. From joining a Yoga class to simple chair exercises, by working together you’ll benefit from a greater sense of commitment and have someone to encourage you through the slumps.

Ben Fichter, Marketing Manager for ActiPatch®, commented:

“For many, keeping to our New Year’s resolutions is not easy, however, if you live with pain on a daily basis the idea of an active life can feel unobtainable. With more evidence than ever pointing to the fact that exercise helps lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, those in pain don’t have to miss out any more. Our ActiPatch® pain relief products will benefit any pains and strains without the need for taking pills, thereby helping to increase quality of life and aid the natural healing process.”