by Samantha Peters
We all live with pain to some extent or another, whether it be sore feet from a day of work or a pained back from sitting improperly. But some have it far worse than just the aches and pains of day to day life. Chronic pain is a serious issue, and one that is only increasing in both severity and number as time goes on. We need to analyze both new and old ways of dealing with pain and apply it so that it helps those in need.
The first thing you should do if suffering chronic pain is to see a doctor. They will diagnose you, and often will recommend a course of action to minimize your pain. It’s also a good idea to do your own personal research on the matter, both to supplement the doctors advice and see if there are alternatives to what they suggest.
A good place to start would be some Lifescript pain management articles, and work your way from there. In the meantime, here are a few tips that can be applied to most chronic pain and are worth trying.
1 – All Natural Remedies
A good place to start is with simple methods that don’t require chemicals, surgery, or other invasive and expensive methods. These include exercises, vitamins and changing our day to day lives to better minimize the pain we get.
Taking vitamins usually does not have a large effect on serious pain, but if your pain is connected to a health problem such as stomach cramps they can help amend the issues.
Turmeric and omega-3 supplements can also help by reducing inflammation in the body. Saw palmetto is another herb that reduces pain and inflammation in the body.
Cinnamon and clove oil are other natural remedies to get rid of pain. Especially clove oil provides relief from tooth pain.
2 – Stretching
Tai Chi in particular is known to minimize pain, especially those in the joint areas. If on the other hand you are having chronic back pain it can often lead back to the way you sit or your core strength. By working out your core, it’s proven that you will stand and move in such a way as to prevent strain on your body.
Even the sorts of shoes you’re wearing can contribute to leg and back pain. The list is comprehensive, and is intimidating to wade through, but if a simple lifestyle change can end your chronic pain it is the best option.
3 –Yoga, Pilates and Mild Dance Classes
Like Tai Chi, enrolling in aerobic classes like Yoga, Pilates, or even some mild dance classes can really relieve pain like nothing else. A great stretch, accompanied by proper breathing, posture, and mindset guidelines taught in these types of classes can be hugely beneficial for a number of pains, aches, sores, or illnesses.
Breaking a sweat while practicing physical activities is a well-known cure for the emotional complacency common in many cases dealing with pain – exercise makes you feel better, and your body will thank you for it. The best part of these methods is the fact that you have fun and learn something new while in the process of pain management.
4 – Conventional Medicine
Conventional medicine is another route that can be taken. In some cases this is not just a choice but a necessity if your chronic pain is a symptom of a serious problem. If it is a little more minor, elective surgery can still solve many chronic pain issues.
A less intrusive method is medication. If a doctor believes your chronic pain is bad enough, they will often happily prescribe a potent painkiller that isn’t available over the counter.
5 – Alternative Medicine
An increasingly popular way to treat chronic pain is alternative medicine. This includes both herbal remedies and procedures not readily available from conventional medical practices. Chiropractic procedures, though more mainstream than many methods of pain treatment, can do wonders for a back suffering chronic pain.
Another widely known procedure is acupuncture, though it has far more skepticism associated with it. This is without much good cause, as acupuncture has been proven to soothe a lot of different types of aches and even chronic pains when done correctly.
Myofascial release techniques are also extremely effective for muscle pain. You can use these techniques at home with a tennis ball or a foam roller.
Herbal remedies can also be a great source of pain relief. Chinese herbal medicine in particular has recently caught on, with numerous herbal teas being used to dull pain. Aromatherapy is far less potent than any of the other methods listed here, but it can ease the body into a relaxed state that makes it more receptive to loosening up and letting pain fade away.
Pain is not something that should be ignored, even if you know it’s not connected to a larger scale issue. Our day to day lives are simply made so much worse when we need suffer pain in them. Though whether you choose to change your lifestyle, rely on conventional medicine or use alternate treatment methods will be different for everyone, everyone should be proactive about making your pain go away.
(Samantha Peters is a regular contributor to healthonabudget.com, who writes for a variety of issues such as the acai bowl fad, finding medical discounts on the internet, and turning your commute into a workout.)
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