Top 10 Tips for Natural Pain Relief
You don’t have to live with pain and relying on pills is just not the move for many of us…
There are a plethora of natural treatments…. and activities you can try to stimulate the body’s natural response to reduce pain.
Whether you’re experiencing sore muscles after a workout, or pain from a chronic condition, these natural remedies can help.
Here are ten tips for natural pain relief.
Stimulate endorphin release
Endorphins are the body’s response to pain or stress.
They help to reduce pain and boost a feeling of well-being. There are plenty of ways you can help to stimulate endorphin release. The most effective is exercise. It’s been shown that exercise releases endorphins, so it might be time to take up a new sport or activity as a natural way to fight pain. Remember to stretch properly and speak to a professional trainer or doctor if you have any medical conditions.
Essential oils
There are several essential oils for chronic pain.
The most common include lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus. These have both anti-inflammatory and calming properties that promote natural healing. Add these to a bath and relieve your sore muscles and joints. The hot water also improves blood circulation which helps to ease pain. The steam from the essential oils works as aromatherapy. Alternatively, you can apply diluted essential oils directly to the skin and they also are used during massage therapy.
Heating and cooling
It seems like a strange contradiction that both hot and cold therapy work as natural pain relievers.
You can use different methods depending on the type of pain you’re experiencing and your personal preferences. A hot water bottle or heat pad is a simple way to reduce pain at home. A cold pad can also be used if you put it in the freezer. Heating and cooling can also be alternated to increase blood flow to the problem area. In general, heat treatment increases blood flow and helps muscles relax and cold treatment reduces inflammation. Always check with your medical professional if you have questions.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for Chronic Pain and it’s used to restore function.
It’s an ancient Chinese holistic therapy that is used to treat many other conditions including allergies, anxiety, fertility, and thyroid problems. Acupuncture focuses on stimulating different “acupoints” in the body which encourage the natural release of endorphins that help to reduce pain. The time it takes to work depends on the severity of the condition.
Massage therapy
Massage therapy is my favorite natural pain reliever.
It’s a great way to destress and helps you find your inner calm. Massage stimulates healthy blood flow and loosens knots in your muscles. It can be used to treat anything from headaches to sports injuries. Massage is often recommended as a treatment for anxiety and depression as well. It helps to improve your overall mental wellbeing.
Get back in touch with nature
Getting outside is therapeutic in many ways and there are many outdoor activities for pain relief.
It’s been shown that spending time outdoors is very beneficial for your health in general. It allows your body to absorb the recommended dose of vitamin D and the natural sights, sounds, and smells are very calming. Try forest bathing to relieve stress or pain, for example. Talk a walk into the forest let it awaken your senses. You’ll come home feeling calmer which can reduce pain naturally.
Guided imagery
Another sensory therapy used to relieve pain is guided imagery.
This is similar to guided meditation but it’s important to focus on your senses and try to visualize the pain in order to combat it. Guided imagery is also used to fight negative emotions. The idea is to recreate your perception of these and form more positive associations. In the approach towards pain relief, the technique is to imagine the pain leaving your body. By envisioning this, you are meant to be able to calm your sympathetic nervous system.
Natural anti-inflammatories
Depending on the type of inflammation you’re experiencing, whether it’s due to injury or a chronic condition, natural anti-inflammatories can be very effective. Some anti-inflammatories include turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and garlic. There are even anti-inflammatory foods. These include tomatoes, olive oil, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and oily fish. There are many benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet such as better physical and mental wellbeing and an improved way of life.
Rest and relaxation
If you are trying to recover from an injury or illness rest and relaxation is important.
Sleeping with pain can be difficult, however, and it can disrupt your sleep pattern. There are a few ways you can sleep better with pain. Practicing activities such as yoga can help improve your sleep. Yoga involves relaxation techniques such as meditation and controlled deep breathing. If you prefer exercising outdoors, go for a short walk in the evening. You could also consider herbal sleep aids or eating sleep-promoting foods. It’s important to avoid certain stimulants such as caffeine and sugar. If consumed in excess these may affect your sleep cycle.
Find a support group
Another natural way to cope with pain is by seeking advice from support groups.
There are plenty of groups online and you can make friends and share your experiences. Sometimes it’s better to speak to someone who knows what you’re going through, particularly in the case of illness or chronic pain. They’ll also be able to provide you with helpful tips and insights on how to cope with pain naturally. It’s important to ensure you have enough support around you from friends and family as well.
There are several natural pain relievers you can try and they complement each other and various therapies.
You could try a mix of exercise, massage, and essential oils. You could also make changes to your diet and try to include more anti-inflammatories. Get the emotional support and therapy you need to improve your mental wellbeing as well. Speak to a doctor for more information about pain relief, and they’ll find the most suitable solution for you.