The Centers for Disease Control estimates that chronic pain affects 50 million adults in the United States. Trying to manage pain is difficult and trying to manage pain without drugs, even more challenging. Harvard Medical School recently identified several natural methods that are effective. Obviously, pain is an indication that something is wrong in the body, so be sure that you consult a doctor if pain persists.
Chronic Pain
- Cold and heat. It sounds like trite advice because we’ve all heard it so much. The reason we’ve heard to use cold and heat so much is that they work. The challenge, at times, can be knowing whether to apply cold or heat or both. Typically, “…use ice for acute injuries or pain, along with inflammation and swelling. Use heat for muscle pain or stiffness.”
- Exercise. Movement is very important in keeping your body pain-free. For those experiencing chronic pain like arthritis, reduced mobility is a serious issue. Finding gentle exercises like water aerobics, walking or cycling are good ways to keep moving and reduce pain.
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy. Seek out a physical or occupational therapist to provide long term solutions to pain. These specialists can design exercises to strengthen weak muscles, and improve mobility. Occupational therapists, specifically, can find ways to help you through your daily tasks that minimize pain.
- Relaxation techniques. Look to techniques like mindfulness, meditation, prayer, and breathing exercises to provide a sense of control over your body. Our office also provides PSiO therapy (light and sound neurotherapy) as discussed in an earlier blog post which helps with stress reduction and relaxation. All of these techniques decrease the “fight or flight” response, and ease chronic muscle tension and pain.
- Practices like yoga and tai chi. The New England Journal of Medicine conducted a study on tai chi and reduction of chronic pain. The group of chronic pain sufferers that practiced tai chi saw a decrease in pain. Find a discipline that uses breath control, meditation, and gentle movements while strengthening and stretching muscles.
- Music. Music is scientifically proven to relieve pain during and after surgery and in childbirth. While most studies have used classical music to prove pain relief, any music that you enjoy should provide distraction from pain or discomfort.
- Therapeutic massage. Massage rids tension and toxins out of muscles and joints, reducing stress and anxiety.
Additional Pain Relief
Another pain relief strategy not mentioned by Harvard is essential oils. Essential oils can be used topically to ease pain as well as diffused in the air. Oils like eucalyptus can help with muscle aches, while oils like lavender can promote a sense of relaxation and calm. Contact our office for specific questions about how essential oils can help you manage pain.
Managing chronic pain is not an easy task, and varies greatly from person to person. Rarely will one activity completely resolve chronic pain. But trying a variety of methods and incorporating several of them may make some relief possible.
About the author
