Pain Relief With These 5 Natural Remedies

Around the world, people suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain can debilitate you and decrease your quality of life tenfold. If you are always trying to cope with chronic pain, it is not only going to take a toll on your physical health, but you will suffer emotionally. Using natural pain relief, you can take control of your chronic pain and improve your quality of life without harming your body with synthetic chemical painkillers.

Many people worldwide will turn to intense opioid painkillers to combat chronic pain, but over time, this can result in dependency and addiction. According to NIDA, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, opiate use kills approximately 128 people a day in the USA. As more people are becoming aware of this crisis, a spotlight is turned toward natural remedies. While many natural products can effectively curb chronic pain, the search continues for something that can be just as effective, if not more, than opioids.

Outlined below are some proven ways that you can help to reduce chronic pain. While one might not be useful for your condition, others might. If you speak to your healthcare professional about these remedies and you want to use more natural solutions, they will help you determine the best course of action.

1. Exercise

Exercise is a great way to unlock your body’s natural pain-killing potential. The body is fantastic because it can produce chemicals that reduce pain and increase mood: endorphins. Endorphins can combat pain by targeting the opioid receptors in your brain. These work in the same way as many prescription opioids like oxycodone or morphine.

The best way to utilize your body’s natural pain-fighting potential is by starting with moderate exercise. With moderate exercise, you will find that your pain is reduced, and the pain’s emotional burden decreases. If your mobility is significantly limited because of chronic pain, then you can start with very docile, low-key exercises. Even stretching and movements of the limbs can help with the pain. Over time, you can work up to a brisk walk or jog that is sure to boost your endorphins.

2. Eat Healthily

The food you eat can significantly affect how you feel physically and mentally day-to-day. If you are eating junk food, your body and brain will suffer. The best way to combat pain using food is to eat whole foods like vegetables and fruit regularly. Processed foods with additives and chemicals are bad for your body and can make inflammation worse.

By eating properly, you can fend off vitamin deficiencies while also helping your body make endorphins. Spicy foods and dark chocolate have been shown in some cases to increase endorphins, where some intense sugary foods can have a severely detrimental effect on your pain levels.

3. Increase Vitamin D Intake

Vitamin D is essential for many bodily processes. The only thing is many people do not get enough. There have been studies done that link Vitamin D deficiencies to chronic pain and several other conditions. One of the best ways to get more Vitamin D is through exposure to sunlight.

Going outside for walks or sitting in a park for an hour or two a day is a great way to increase these levels, but it is not always possible. Thankfully, there are tons of Vitamin D supplements that you can take to help reverse the deficiency. While there are capsules and tablets, the drops tend to offer a higher absorption level.

4. Anti-Inflammation Remedies

Inflammation is a leading cause of pain, and there are several types of remedies available. While you may have heard of ibuprofen or aspirin, others like turmeric can be just as effective. Depending on your pain level, taking ibuprofen or aspirin can be an excellent way to eliminate the edge associated with chronic pain.

Sometimes if it is just unbearable, taking these occasionally can reduce some of your distress. For long-term use, however, turmeric capsules or drinks will be an excellent way to reduce inflammation throughout your body, and you will notice pain starts to go away. Some will also opt for CBD, a cannabis product that effectively reduces pain but is not as widely available.

5. Hot & Cold Therapy

Hot and cold therapy has long been an effective treatment to reduce pain, whether it is chronic or from a recent injury. Hot water bottles and other heat compresses are the most effective for chronic pain, whereas cold therapies can be best for recent injuries. Heat compresses work by dilating the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the compromised muscles.

Cold therapy, in contrast, restricts blood flow and thus minimizes the body’s inflammatory response. The cold will also numb the areas, which can provide temporary relief during the most painful times.

Your Pain-Free Future

As the search for a highly effective natural pain reliever continues, you can hope for a pain-free future. While there may not be the precise remedy you need available now, there is bound to be something coming in the next few years. These will offer you the relief you need without the adverse effects of many prescription painkillers like morphine oxycodone.

If you need support, contact the American Chronic Pain Association and start living a more productive, happier, and pain-free life.