Everything today has an app. So why not your health and chronic pain? There are a number of different types of apps that can be used to track your health, your pain, your mood, and your symptoms. Here are a few different types of app that you can consider for health tracking.

Pain Management Apps

Pain management apps do a few different things. They track your pain level and your mood, and they also often include features such as writing in a journal or logging your diet. The goal of pain management apps is to make you mindful of your pain levels and to determine whether your pain levels are fluctuating (and why).

Pain management apps are useful when you're changing the course of your treatment. A pain management app may show that a medication is working, even though it doesn't feel like it is.

Pain management apps may also reveal correlations you haven't noticed, such as being in higher levels of pain when you haven't slept well. While it may not address the underlying condition that's causing your pain, it's been shown that things like a lack of sleep or a poor diet can contribute.

By using these types of apps, you may be able to determine some triggers for your pain and, hopefully, reduce your pain levels.

Online Doctor Apps

Do you need to talk to a doctor immediately? Today, many doctors and pharmacies have their own apps. You can call in and talk to someone immediately through video chat. This is important for those who are on a lot of medications and who are continuously trying new medications. You may experience a symptom that is alarming and want to discuss it.

In addition to online medical doctors, there are also online therapists. Dealing with chronic pain can take a significant psychological and emotional toll, and it can be useful to be able to talk to someone quickly.

Online doctors usually aren't used as your primary contact for treatment, but they can be a useful connection when you need someone to talk to after hours. You can check with your insurance company regarding whether they support online doctors or whether they have a specific network that they recommend.

Mindfulness Apps

Mindfulness apps seek to reduce chronic pain through a series of behavioral adjustments and thought exercises. While chronic pain isn't in your head, it has been shown that patients can have better outcomes through positive and focused thoughts.

These mindfulness programs are usually run by a company that provides specific exercises that chronic pain patients can do throughout the day. Blending things like cognitive behavioral therapy and holistic tracking, these programs seek to treat the entire body rather than the pain alone.

Medication Apps

Can you not track all of your medications? A medication app can help you with that. Medication apps that are provided by a pharmacy can help you track when your prescriptions need to be renewed and refilled.

As a chronic pain patient, you likely already have a lot on your mind. Many chronic pain patients also experience a brain fog or fatigue and may not necessarily be able to remember their medications on time. An app can help.

There are hundreds of apps out there for helping with medical troubles, but not all of them are reputable. If you want to start incorporating apps into your pain treatment plan, you should talk to your doctor. We can help you sort out what apps can help you with your pain.

Contact us at Specialists in Pain Management for more recommendations and for assistance with your pain management needs.