Chronic Pain Living With Energy Conservation to Prevent Fatigue in Chronic Pain By Erica Jacques Erica Jacques LinkedIn Erica Jacques, OT, is a board-certified occupational therapist at a level one trauma center. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 05, 2020 Medically reviewed by Scott Zashin, MD Medically reviewed by Scott Zashin, MD LinkedIn Scott J. Zashin, MD, specializes in the treatment of rheumatologic and musculoskeletal conditions using both traditional and alternative therapies. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Chronic pain can make it difficult to get out of bed in the morning, let alone get things done. That's why energy conservation is so important. Learn about this technique that can help you manage your energy and feel better in spite of chronic pain along with tips to put it into practice. Hero Images / Getty Images Energy in the Bank When occupational therapists use the term "energy conservation," they are referring to managing your body's energy levels. Think of your energy level like money in a bank: There is only so much you can spend before your account runs low. Learning to use this bank wisely means you can conserve your energy for the most important tasks, and avoid unnecessary "spending." Energy conservation techniques can be especially useful for people whose energy levels may be affected by their chronic pain, such as those with arthritis or fibromyalgia. Who Should Practice Energy Conservation? Learning about energy conservation can be helpful for anyone with chronic pain. But it can be especially useful when it's disrupting your day-to-day life. You can benefit most if your pain is making it difficult to do these things: Caring for yourself or your homeParticipating in your jobEnjoying your leisure time and family time Techniques Ready to take control of your pain and have more energy? Here are some energy conservation techniques that may help. Prioritize sitting: Whenever possible, sitting instead of standing during tasks can help you conserve energy. Consider your daily tasks: Can gardening or folding laundry be done sitting down? Giving your legs some rest can save up energy for that exercise class later in the day. Take breaks: There's nothing wrong with rest! Taking breaks to rest between activities may mean that you're able to participate in more of your favorite things, instead of overdoing it without breaks and suffering later. Rest before you're tired: Resting only when you're already tired is like drinking water only when you're already feeling thirsty. Avoid fatigue by resting throughout the day. This can mean taking a nap or simply sitting down for a while without stressing about getting something done. Sit up straight: Practicing good posture and body mechanics can help to reduce muscle fatigue. The less unnecessary stress you're putting on your muscles and joints, the less pain you're likely to experience. If you find you have the energy, try things like the Alexander Technique, tai chi, or yoga for ways to keep your body moving without putting more stress on it. Avoid unnecessary stress: Don't let stress bring you down. While some stress is normal in anyone, being overly stressed can make you feel exhausted. And that's the last thing you need when you're living with chronic pain and trying to fight fatigue. Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. (n.d.). Ask an OT about managing pain. By Erica Jacques Erica Jacques, OT, is a board-certified occupational therapist at a level one trauma center. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit