Pain is something everyone experiences at some point in their life, yet many turn to natural methods as a means of relieving discomfort rather than traditional medications that may come with serious side effects.
Implementing a holistic approach to pain management may involve using natural substances with analgesic properties such as ginger, turmeric and essential oils to ease discomfort.
Herbal remedies
Herbal remedies offer an efficient and natural means of relieving pain without resorting to synthetic pills. Herb remedies range from anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric and ginger to analgesic ones such as chamomile and lavender for optimal pain relief.
Pain may be short-term and go away once an injury heals; while chronic pain, often caused by arthritis, can linger on for more than three months and interfere with daily activities. While acute injuries typically heal quickly, chronic ones can remain bothersome for months at a time and seriously limit daily life activities.
Traditional pharmaceuticals can provide relief, but can have serious side effects. Herbal medicines that use mixtures rather than pure compounds may provide similar analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits as their synthetic counterparts but with reduced side effects. Some remedies can be applied topically while others must be taken orally such as capsules or supplements containing capsaicin from hot chili peppers as a powerful pain reliever.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy utilizes essential oils derived from roots, leaves, barks, seeds and blossoms of certain plants to treat various conditions. Inhaling or applying to the skin these essential oils is possible and they may even be combined with massage therapy – studies have found lavender oil to significantly decrease anxiety and depression in cancer patients.
Lavender can also help ease headache, insomnia, indigestion and menstrual cramps. Furthermore, lavender may even provide temporary relief from chronic rheumatoid arthritis pain as well as chemotherapy treatment-induced discomfort.
Essential oils can generally be safe to use, though some can irritate the eyes or mucous membranes in your nose and trigger asthma or other breathing issues. Therefore, diluting them before applying them topically or diffusing them is recommended; taking essential oils internally by mouth should only be done under supervision from trained professionals. Also keep in mind that citrus oils can make skin more susceptible to sunlight.
Physical exercise
At some point in their lives, almost everyone experiences discomfort. Luckily, natural ways are available to alleviate it: herbal remedies and physical exercise. Exercise increases endorphin production which reduces pain while increasing happiness; in addition to relieving stress levels which increase pain levels further and improving circulation while aiding healing.
Physiotherapy can also be an excellent way to alleviate back pain. Working with a physical therapist, you can create an exercise plan tailored specifically to ease any discomfort. Be sure to check with your physician first as any movement which increases discomfort should be avoided while gentle stretching should instead help soothe those sore muscles.
Studies have demonstrated that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, commonly referred to as NSAIDs, can effectively manage pain but their side effects have led to growing concerns among healthcare professionals. As a result, alternative medicine such as herbs and dietary supplements are becoming more widely sought-after; many of them work by inhibiting inflammatory pathways similar to their NSAID counterparts.
Mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a non-pharmaceutical way to alleviate pain, and has been linked with decreased stress levels and improved immunity. Studies have also demonstrated its success at relieving symptoms associated with IBS, Fibromyalgia, Depression, Anxiety as well as improving sleep and increasing natural immunity against illness.
Mindfulness meditation comes in various forms and each type offers distinct advantages. Some mindfulness techniques use physical objects or mantras as focal points; other practices focus on understanding your thoughts and emotions without judgment.
Start practicing mindfulness meditation by finding a quiet place away from distractions and sitting upright comfortably with legs crossed, wearing loose clothing that allows for freer movement of your spine, using a cushion or pillow as needed for support, relaxing your breathing and allowing thoughts to come and go; when they wander off track simply bring them back onto breathing or mantra again when your focus has strayed from either of those elements.
