You Have Options

In my work, so many of my clients come in reporting some type of chronic pain in their bodies. What I have realized is people have very limited self-help options. In the medical system, unfortunately, many health care providers do what they are trained to do. They push you into prescription medications which have side effects or suggest tons of medical procedures. It’s a deal with the devil. I don’t know if you’ve seen anybody on heavy duty chronic pain medication, but it really affects how they live their life. And even with anti-inflammatory drugs, there are health issues. The purpose of this post is to educate people to other options available.

Natural pain remedies can prevent and ease your symptoms while lessening the risk of liver damage, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure and heart attack that can come along with some drugs.

Try This:

Yoga
While yoga has been shown to relieve various types of pain, much of the research has looked at back pain. In one study from West Virginia University, back pain sufferers who did yoga twice a week reduced their discomfort by 56 percent and relied less on medicine than before beginning yoga. Researchers suspect that yoga poses increase mobility, while deep breathing puts exercisers in a relaxed state that makes pain easier to tolerate. In addition, practicing yoga has been shown to improve sleep quality. And because research shows that sleep deprivation is linked to pain, a regular practice could help.

Antioxidants
These compounds have been shown to help neutralize free-radicals—substances that damage cells and may contribute to chronic pain. To up your antioxidant intake, fill your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables like spinach, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, kale and bell peppers.

Herbs and Spices
Spices like ginger, cayenne, turmeric, garlic and onions, as well as herbs like rosemary and licorice root, may help block enzymes that fuel the processing of pain and inflammation. Season your dishes liberally with herbs and spices to reap the benefits. And use fresh herbs when you can—they have higher levels of antioxidants than dried versions.

Aerobic Exercise
Studies have found that aerobic exercise helps curb premenstrual pain, menopause discomfort and even headaches. A study in the journal Arthritis Care & Research found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who regularly did cardio exercise enjoyed improved mobility, less joint pain and greater quality of life compared to those didn’t exercise.

Energy Healing
Chronic pain can arise from many sources, both physical and emotional. By opening up a channel between healer and patient to transfer energy, a energetic healer restores the body both physically and mentally. Muscles are relaxed and energy flow is unblocked. This helps reduce physical tension and pain. Anxiety and stress also are reduced, helping to unblock and release emotional pain. Although the patient may not be completely pain free, he or she feels relaxed, refreshed, and is better able to cope with his or her condition.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These healthy fats have been shown to reduce inflammation throughout the body, reducing swelling and pain. In one study of people dealing with pain, those who took an omega-3 fatty acid supplement reported a decrease in morning stiffness and tender joints. Foods rich in omega-3s include salmon, rainbow trout, walnuts, flaxseed, fortified eggs and soybeans. Fatty fish is also a good source of vitamin D, which is associated with widespread musculoskeletal pain in people who are deficient in it.

Meditation
In a study in the Journal of Neuroscience, researchers mildly burned 15 men and women in a lab on two separate occasions, before and after four days of daily meditation. (A 120-degree heat was applied to the participant’s calf.) During the second session, after the participants had meditated daily, they rated the exact same pain stimulus as being 57 percent less unpleasant and 40 percent less intense, on average. Experts hypothesize that it’s easier to handle pain in a relaxed state. The people in the study did 20 minute–long meditation sessions, but you can begin by practicing deep breathing in a quiet place for a few minutes each day and work your way up to longer sessions.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Pain is usually directly associated with some sort of inflammation. Eliminating foods that can trigger inflammation in the body can completely change your life. Sugar is a huge culprit. Everybody’s different. It took many years of trial and error, but I’m finally finding a true connection between what I eat and how I feel. If you struggle with chronic pain related to inflammation, I highly recommend figuring out if certain foods are causing – or at least exacerbating – your symptoms. Trying an elimination diet and/or working with a holistic nutritionist (especially if the concept is new to you or if you have a serious health condition) may be helpful.

Massage
You may think of massage as the ultimate indulgence, but getting a rubdown is good for more than just pampering: Slow, deep strokes target the deep layers of muscle and connective tissue to promote flexibility and movement while reducing pain and stiffness. Massage therapy can ease aches and improve function in back pain sufferers for up to six months, according to report in the Annals of Internal Medicine. If you suffer from chronic pain, you may also consider seeing a physical therapist for a posture assessment to work on an underlying postural habits or structural issues that may be contributing.

Acupuncture
While most studies have been small, research shows that acupuncture therapy triggers a surge in pain-numbing endorphins and releases anti-inflammatories, which reduce swelling and help healing.

Have you done any of these alternative options? I would love to hear from you below in the comments.

 

With a Grateful Heart,