Mother Nature Will See You Now: 10 Ways To Manage Pain Without Drugs
While modern medicine can eliminate pain, it may also come with many complications, such as side-effects, intolerance, or even organ damage with long-term use. If you're looking for simple pain management solutions with fewer pharmaceuticals, here are 10 that may help you:
1. Don't Stay Still For Too Long
Physical inactivity won't just exacerbate your chronic pain, it might actually be the cause of it. People who are inactive suffer with more musculoskeletal pain than those who keep moving, and although it's a cruel catch-22 to have to move around when movement hurts, in the long-term, you're helping yourself curb chronic pain and inflammation by avoiding that couch.
2. Ask Your Doctor About A Gluten-Free Diet
Even if you're not allergic to wheat, a gluten-free diet can reduce inflammation throughout your body, which may be contributing to your pain. Many people without Celiac disease have discovered that they feel better after eliminating gluten from their diets; however, be sure to include all the vitamins and nutrients (such as iron and fiber) that may be devoid in a gluten-free regimen.
3. While You're At It, Cut Processed Foods And Sugar
Unfortunately, the most convenient and delicious foods are often the worst for you. Processed foods and too much sugar may be aggravating your pain by causing complications like inflammation. Try eliminating these detrimental elements from your diet and see if you don't feel better.
4. Stretch!
You don't have to become a gym fanatic to benefit from exercise—just keep it moderate and consistent, according to your abilities, tolerance, and doctor's advice. If needed, stretch from bed, where you're safe from falling. You could try leg lifts and other simple stretches that increase circulation, among other benefits.
5. Change Your Shoes
Most people don't give their shoes proper credit or blame for minor and even major aches and pains. Cheap, worn-out or impractical shoes contribute to back pain, knee or ankle pain, and problems within the feet themselves. Look for sales on shoes that support your arches, protect your toes, and make sense for your whole-body health.
6. Move To A Different Climate
While it sounds extreme, if moving your home alleviates even some of your chronic pain, it might be worth it. Leave the extreme winters of Vermont or the obnoxious heat of Texas and opt for something more mild, such as Portland or Seattle. There are plenty of peaceful suburbs if you're not the city type, but just be sure to take advantage of the sunny days in such areas to get your Vitamin D.
7. Get More Vitamins Naturally
Deficiencies wreak all kinds of havoc on your body, from muscle cramps to swollen joints. Many people, though, are turned off by the supplement industry or simply skeptical of its authenticity. If you know what you're deficient in, try getting it from nature. For example, selenium is necessary for proper thyroid function (and thyroid issues can cause all kinds of problems for your body), as is iodine; if you want to get these elements naturally, take a few Brazilian nuts every morning and eat Nori a few times a week. The more you know about vitamins and what you may be lacking in, the more you can aid your body's healing process through natural, necessary means.
8. Listen To Classical Music
Endorphins and dopamine are your brain's natural pain killers, and if you listen to music like Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons, your brain continuously pumps them out. When the pain strikes, put some classical music on and let it soothe your thoughts as it opens up your brain's medicine cabinet.
9. Take Up Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a total mind-body-environment healing concept, focusing on how everything around and in you changes your health. For pain management, Ayurveda helps you make healthier choices in terms of food, exercise, and even your train of thought, all of which can cleanse the body of things that are contributing to your pain and sluggishness.
10. If You Live Alone, Get A Pet
An animal brings lots of joy to life, but they also keep you active and in most cases, laughing, which is great medicine. A pet can distract you from discomfort, and they certainly alleviate loneliness. You might also benefit from a service animal, who could help you around the house or warn you or others about urgent medical situations, like hypoglycemia or seizures. A service animal is especially helpful to those with apartment restrictions on pets; the Disability Act provides for legal exceptions when animals are not allowed.
These methods of pain management are natural and often very effective, so discuss these alternative with your doctor as soon as possible. Lessening your dependence on pharmaceuticals alone may have an immediate and positive effect on you, but being in charge of your own health comes with a separate set of benefits, too. For more information on your pain management options, contact a medical center like the Pain Relief Center.