Are you looking for a reliable alternative pain medication therapies? Discover the power of these treatment solutions that combat pain without hangover.
50 million American adults, or 20% of the country’s population, suffer from chronic pain. Patients often turn to prescription pills to ease the discomfort but it’s costly and certain medication can cause negative side effects.
Luckily, there are ways to offset pain without popping pills. Are you looking for alternative pain medication? If yes, read on to find out more.
What Is Chronic Pain?
Before we uncover natural chronic pain relief, we must explain what it is.
Chronic pain is discomfort that lasts over 12 weeks. Unlike acute pain from an injury, chronic pain persists for a variety of reasons like musculoskeletal injury (involving the bones, muscles, and joints), a dysfunctional nervous system, and autoimmune disorders.
Our Top 12 Recommendations
From using our body’s natural pain killer to other natural remedies for chronic pain, there are many solutions available. For example:
1. Release Your Endorphins
Otherwise known as our brain’s natural painkiller, endorphins are the key to relieving chronic pain. Endorphins bind to our brain’s opioid receptors to block our perception of pain and release feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.
Exercise is an effective way to release endorphins and you should do a mood check next time you’re doing it. Every five minutes, think about how happy you feel from one to 10 and keep going until the number goes up.
Aim to do low-impact exercises like stretching, walking, cycling, or water aerobics. Before you do this, check with your practitioner to see whether exercise is a safe option.
2. Attend a Support Group
Chronic pain has far more complications on our mental health than breaking your arm would. It’s a personal and often lonely experience so you should meet with others in a similar situation. There may be a chronic pain support group in your community or local hospital.
You can even use online forums like Pain Doctor to connect with others and learn how they cope with chronic pain.
3. Soak In Warm Water
Submerging yourself in warm water soothes arthritis, muscle pain, and spasms. You can either use a deep bathtub, whirlpool tub, or warm pool for water therapy.
4. Visit an Acupuncturist
Acupunctures are a viable treatment for chronic pain. This is one of the best natural remedies for spinal stenosis pain alongside fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. It’s important to find a reputable acupuncture practitioner as they know the relevant acupuncture points.
5. Supplements and Vitamins
There’s a wealth of evidence that supplements and vitamins can relieve specific types of pain. For instance, Omega 3 fatty acids lower inflammation and benefit those with joint and back pain.
Chili peppers contain capsaicin topical which helps with arthritis and nerve pain. But, like you would with prescription drugs, be mindful about how much to take. Always consult with your doctor for their recommendation first.
6. Relaxation Therapy
A fantastic way to reduce pain is by focusing on your breathing. Those suffering from fibromyalgia, headaches, and osteoarthritis benefit most from relaxation therapy.
Relaxation therapy includes deep breathing, body scan meditation, visualization, and self-massage.
7. Massage
Masseuses manipulate your body’s soft tissue (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) with a hands-on massage. It’s important to hire a qualified massage therapist as they know how to increase blood flow, reduce muscle tension, and boost your mood with specific motions.
8. Meditate
Meditation is an easy way to quieten your pain. You can either listen to an attractive sound (“om” is common), close your eyes and sit comfortably while repeating the sound in your mind. When your mind wanders, notice that you’re not focused, and return to the sound.
If your pain arises, notice it, and re-focus your attention to the sound. Start with a few minutes and gradually lengthen it when you feel more comfortable. Meditation relaxes you as it devalues pain signals which is useful when you’re suffering.
9. Laugh More
Laughter has many magical qualities like strengthening your immune system, boosting your mood, reducing pain, and protecting you from stress. If your pain becomes overbearing, turn on an episode of your favorite sitcom and laugh along.
You can even try “laughter yoga” where a group of people come together and focus on laughing for its own sake.
10. Sleep
Recent research shows that insufficient sleep leads to a heightened sensitivity to pain. Because of this, it’s crucial that you get enough sleep so you can manage pain and heal. Meditation and getting enough exercise make it easier to fall into a deep sleep so consider this if you’re struggling.
11. Use an Ice Pack
Those suffering from inflammation should apply an ice pack to the area as it slows down your nerve impulses and turns it numb. Only do this 15 to 20 minutes at a time with two hours between applications to prevent any skin damage.
12. Soak Up the Sun
Give yourself 10 to 15 minutes a day to enjoy the sunshine as it helps your body produce vitamin D. Not only does it boost your mood, but it can promote better immune function, important for those suffering from chronic pain.
Those Are Our Alternative Pain Medication Recommendations
Luckily, there are many alternative pain medication options that are noninvasive and inexpensive. Spend time in the sun to soak up vitamin D and exercise if your doctor permits. You should also consider vitamins and supplements to help reduce any pain or swelling.
Even though it can be a lonely experience, don’t be afraid to reach out to those in a similar situation and consider visiting an acupuncturist so they can help relieve your pain. Good luck!
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2 comments
@ Anastasia:
How old are you?
Well, all of that prevention methods do not always promise you that you won’t hurt yourself and the pain will not occur. Especially if you are in the middle age. But for sure, it is always easier to prevent pain, than to treat it. And in case of muscle pain, I was often advised to take aspirin. However, its only temporarily reduces pain, but will not accelerate healing. So I usually use some hot counterpain cream for muscles like https://www.tigerbalm-baumetigre.com/cheap/counterpain-analgesic-balm-cream-warm/ . Such warming ointments increase blood flow to injured tissues and improve heat metabolism.