Many people need to deal with pain, whether in the short term because of a specific injury, or on a daily basis for the long term due to chronic health conditions. For too long, the mainstream approach to pain management has been to rely on medication and other chemicals. This medication can have a number of negative side effects, so many people are discovering the natural alternatives to pain management.
Here are 7 natural ways to manage pain.
- Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice commonly used in dishes such as curries. However, not only does it add a unique colour and flavour to our food, but it can also be useful in helping to manage pain. Turmeric contains a type of antioxidant called curcumin. This protects our cells from free radicals, promoting better health of our cells and tissues.
Turmeric also helps to ease inflammation, and therefore relieves pain associated with inflammation. In this way, turmeric can be very useful in relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritis, a condition characterised by high degrees of inflammation.
- Exercise
This may sound counter-intuitive, but exercise can help to relieve pain. And of course, there are few remedies more natural than exercise! First of all, maintaining a level of physical fitness through regular aerobic exercise will put your body in a state where it much better prepared to deal with most pain conditions, and therefore the symptoms will be less severe.
Additionally, exercise causes the body to produce natural painkillers such as endorphins. Endorphins are hormones that not only make us feel happy, but they actually increase our pain threshold. This means that the sensations of pain we feel will be lessened. If you are experiencing pain, going for a run may not be desirable or even viable. However, starting slowly with a short walk, and working you way up from there can be highly beneficial.
- Fish Oil
Fish oil is an anti-inflammatory, and therefore can help to provide pain relief. Specifically, fish oil supplements containing eicosapentaenoic acid or decosahexanoic acid can provide active pain relief.
One study showed that patients with back or neck pain who took fish oil supplements with the about acids found them helpful in reducing their pain symptoms. In fact, over half of the participants in the study found the fish oil so effective, that they no longer needed their prescription painkillers after 75 days of using fish oil supplements.
- Heat
Another very simple yet effective tool for pain management that is completely natural is heat. Heat can help to relieve pain in a range of conditions. Heat packs, or a long warm shower or bath can soothe conditions such as tight muscles, spasms and aching joints.
On the other hand, a lack of heat can also be helpful in managing pain. Ice packs can be useful to manage pain in specific circumstances. Any type of injury that involves swelling, such as a twisted joint, should be treated with an ice pack. This will reduce the blood flow to the affected area and lower the pain.
- CBD Oil
CBD oil is also known as cannabidiol, and is a natural oil derived from either the hemp plant or the cannabis plant. It does not contain THC (the component in marijuana that gets you high), nor is it addictive.
CBD oil has a number of health benefits, including for pain management. The cannabidoids found in CBD oil bind to our pain receptors, reducing pain sensations. Research shows that CBD oil also helps to reduce inflammation, which can also be very helpful with pain management.
- Meditation
Meditation is another effective and 100% natural way to manage pain. Meditation has been found to reduce pain symptoms for people who follow a regular mindfulness meditation program. Additionally, meditation is very helpful in reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression, which can often accompany chronic pain conditions.
- Acupuncture
Finally, acupuncture is another natural method that has been found to be very effective in treating pain. This ancient Chinese healing technique has been used to treat a range of conditions for centuries, including managing pain symptoms.
There is little understanding of how acupuncture works exactly. The underlying theory of practitioners of acupuncture is that it balances the body’s energy pathways, therefore removing blockages that may cause problems, including pain. Although research has not been able to identify the reasons it works, there is evidence that it does work, if only as a placebo.
