Everyone has experienced some level of pain in their lifetimes. A cut, scrape, muscle pull, headache, cramp, or sprain can cause pain and discomfort, but in most of these instances, the pain isn’t long-lasting. In other scenarios where you’ve suffered a severe injury or require extensive surgery, the pain can be excruciating and last for what seems like forever.
Though most are prescribed medications to help subside the pain, many find it ineffective or start abusing it. As taking more pain meds than prescribed or instructed can result in dependency and addiction as well as damage your vital organs, it’s best to find alternative solutions. Below, are few you can try:
CBD Products
Cannabidiol, known as CBD is a chemical compound found in the marijuana and hemp plants has been proven to work for those who are in pain. When taken in oral or topical form, CBD helps to reduce inflammation which is the biggest pain culprit. This natural supplement does not have any harmful side effects and is non-psychoactive meaning you won’t get high.
Massages
If ever there was a reason to treat yourself to a bit of luxury, pain management is one of them. Massage therapy practices have been helping patients to manage pain for centuries. You can visit a salon or search for a mobile massage therapist. They come to you with their portable massage chair, essential oils, and linens and provide you with a spa experience at home. The massage helps to reduce inflammation and increase circulation which both help to reduce pain.
Movement
When you’re in a lot of pain it may seem counterintuitive to start moving around. However, movement can go a long way in reducing pain. If you suffer from joint pain from an injury or even from a long-term disease like arthritis, things such as walking, swimming, and stretching can ease the tension. It boosts your mood, helps lubricate your joints, reduces inflammation, and gets your blood pumping.
Diet
What you eat can directly relate to the amount of pain you’re experiencing. It is best to steer clear of food groups like dairy which are known to increase inflammation. Instead, try to eat foods that reduce inflammation like berries, fatty fish, broccoli, and avocado.
Meditation
It is a well-known fact that stress can dramatically increase your pain levels. As being injured or recovering from a surgery can be emotionally taxing, it is very possible that it’s escalating your pain. To rectify the problem it is important to try and center your mind and relax. Meditation is a very useful tool for this. Sitting in a quiet area, listening to soothing music, and focusing on your deep breathing helps to lower your blood pressure and relax your mind which can help the pain subside. Try meditating for 5-15 minutes a day.
Warm Baths
Water can be a very calming agent when you’re in pain. Draw yourself a warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes. To add more healing properties to the mix you can throw in some Epsom salt, or essential oils like lavender or peppermint.
Rest
Though it may be hard at times to get a good night’s sleep it is imperative to managing your pain. Your body needs time to rest and repair which is done while you’re asleep. Overnight, your body can repair small muscle damage and heal wounds. It also helps to reduce the stress hormone levels and reduce inflammation. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body doesn’t get the time it needs to heal causing you to feel more pain.
Pain isn’t something anyone wants to experience – let alone for an extended period of time. If you or someone you know is struggling to deal with pain after an injury or surgery, there are effective solutions out there. Outside of following the doctor’s orders, taking your medications as prescribed, and attending physical therapy, you can incorporate each of the above pain management practices to your daily habits for relief.
