Are you suffering from chronic pain and looking for natural ways to relieve your pain? Then, this article is just for you. Here are the 5 most common natural remedies for chronic pain that you can use to relieve your chronic pain.
5 pain relief natural remedies
These are the 5 most common natural remedies to manage chronic pain:
- White willow bark:
This herb has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for inflammation and pain. It contains an aspirin-like compound known as salicin which works as an anti-inflammatory medicine for knee and musculoskeletal pain.
In addition to salicin, it also has chemicals such as polyphenols and flavonoids which support basic body functions and significantly reduce inflammation.
Researchers believe willow bark can be used to treat headaches, ease muscle pain, and calm inflammation. It doesn’t work with fever, however, it may alleviate acute back pain, joint pain, and osteoarthritis. However, similar to aspirin, it may affect kidney function, stomach upset, bleeding time, and risk of increased bleeding. That’s why it is not recommended for children.
- Turmeric:
This ayurvedic spice contains an antioxidant compound called curcumin which can reduce pain by directly acting on your nervous system.
Animal-based studies found that it can control inflammatory proteins called cytokines. If cytokines aren’t managed properly, it can cause cytokine storm syndrome which can lead to serious illness and inflammation.
Turmeric can also decrease pain associated with these two disorders:
- Autoimmune diseases: They occur when your immune system starts attacking healthy body cells or organs under the influence of viruses, bacteria, and other foreign substances. For example, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is caused by an underactive thyroid gland when the immune system attacks your thyroid gland.
- Tendonitis: This condition occurs when your tendons (a part that connects muscles to bone) become inflamed and cause pain and difficulty moving.
- Acupuncture:
It is an ancient pain-relieving technique that developed in China. This is a well-known alternative medicine, which is used to treat chronic pain and migraines. It involves stimulating nerves around the body with long, thin needles, which should be inserted into the muscles carefully. This process can release pain-relieving endorphins. Studies show that it is used to treat chronic pain including back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis.
Acupuncturists insert tiny, thin needles into your skin where the source of pain is located. Based on the body’s natural energy, it should be inserted far from the part where the body is experiencing pain.
It makes the body release serotonin, a feel-good hormone in the brain to ease the pain. It also reduces stress levels and promotes healthy healing.
- Heat and ice therapy:
These are the most common home pain remedies that everybody uses at home during pain. Just apply heat and ice to sites of pain to reduce it.
Ice contains anti-inflammatory properties and works as a pain reliever for acute musculoskeletal injuries, post-surgical incisions, and dental issues. Whereas, the heat can ease the pain and stiffness of arthritis and joint-related issues.
You can use an ice pack to reduce swelling and inflammation from a strained muscle, tendon, or ligament. Once your inflammation is decreased, use heat to reduce the stiffness from sprains and strains.
Both heating pads and cold packs can be used to relieve headaches, but ice packs are also used to relieve lower back pain. If the pain is due to arthritis, then a heating pad is more effective for joints than ice. Most heat pack can be warmed in a microwave and used many times, which make them more effective to use.
- Exercise:
Regular exercise is the best way to relieve chronic pain naturally. It can also reduce inflammation, improve mobility and sleep, and release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers chemical. Low-impact exercises such as yoga, walking, and swimming can be good for people who suffer from chronic pain because they do not put too much load on the joints. That’s why you should exercise every day even in pain. It doesn’t mean high-intensity workouts in the gym, you can even do walking, swimming, dancing, yoga, stretching, etc.
When to go to a pain management specialist?
If your pain is not manageable by home or natural remedies or supplements or your pain does not improve, then it’s time to see a pain management specialist to find the underlying source of pain and treat it accordingly.
These are 5 natural remedies for chronic pain relief that you can use in everyday life to manage your pain and inflammation. This way you can manage your pain better and lead a meaningful life.
For more natural remedies for chronic pain relief, come to us; our pain management specialists offer a variety of treatment options for diverse types of pain. Medical professionals at Doral Health & Wellness’ Pain Medical Clinic can give you advice on how to deal with your pain. The location at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 is well-served by public transportation, including many bus routes, and the subway line. Visit our website at http://www.painmanagementbrooklyn.com/ or to contact us on +1-347-384-5690 for additional details.
