By Tara Heath
Guest writer for Wake Up World
Chronic pain is a condition that literally tens of millions of Americans. While chronic pain isn’t always debilitating, it’s often enough to make some people change their daily habits and alter their lives in ways they don’t want to, or wouldn’t choose to in other circumstances.
The most common remedies for chronic pain — pharmaceutical medications — have their drawbacks. They tend to produce side effects that are nearly as bad as the pain itself. Naturally, this drives many to search for alternative remedies.
Although there are widespread “remedies,” the problem is that not all of them are proven successful at relieving pain. If you’re looking for help to relieve your chronic pain naturally, then read on. Below, you’ll find five of the best natural cures for chronic pain, meaning no more negative side effects.
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Acupuncture
Acupuncture was once viewed as a strange treatment from the East. But today, many doctors recommend acupuncture because of the great response from patients, who claim to experience greatly reduced pain after several rounds of acupuncture. While conventional medicine does not understand exactly how acupuncture works to block or reduce pain, numerous studies prove that it does indeed work, and is successful in considerably lessening pain. Furthermore, it has been shown to be free of damaging side-effects, making it worth a try in almost all cases of chronic pain.
To learn more about the benefits of acupuncture, read:
Vitamin Supplements
There’s some evidence that vitamin supplements may help individuals with certain types of chronic pain. However, you’ll need to talk to your preferred health practitioner before adding vitamin supplements to your diet, especially if you’ll be using it in addition to traditional pain management medications.
- Fish oil is commonly used by patients who suffer from pain related to inflammation of the joints. When digested, fish oil breaks down into a hormone-like chemical called prostaglandin, which reduces inflammation.
- SAM-e has helped some patients report reduced pain related to stiffness, inflammation, and swelling of the joints.
- Magnesium, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D deficiencies have also been clinically linked to chronic pain syndromes such as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
Massage
A variety of types of massage are commonly recommended for reducing back pain, osteoarthritis, neck and shoulder pain, tension headaches, and pain related to surgical procedures.
In general, the most effective type of massage for pain is Swedish massage, as it works with the grain of the muscle, helping to reduce inflammation and get rid of soreness. However, for some people, deep tissue and other forms of massage, including sports massage, work well and greatly lessen the pain they experience.
If massages aren’t something you’ve tried before, you may need to talk to a qualified massage practitioner and try several types of massage to see what’s right for your particular pain. Everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work for you. However, for many people, a few massage sessions per week help reduce pain significantly.
Yoga
When you experience daily pain, the idea of doing any sort of exercise is almost unthinkable. However, because of the mild nature of yoga and the poses used, it can help individuals with chronic pain feel more comfortable and mobile – especially when doing it regularly throughout the week.
Yoga is beneficial for reducing inflammation and improving circulation, but for some individuals with chronic pain related specifically to bone problems, it can actually aggravate the condition. If in doubt, talk to your health practitioner to make sure you’re healthy enough to begin yoga – even if it is just a light form of yoga that isn’t too physically taxing.
Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is often a last resort for many because of its potential side effects, but in many studies, marijuana has been shown to reduce pain. While many people feel a certain stigma about smoking marijuana, since it is still illegal in many territories, it is used a legitimate medical treatment in numerous areas of pain management.
If your doctor does recommend medical marijuana, make sure you track any side effects and avoid anything that could be potentially dangerous, such as driving a vehicle while under the influence.
For more information, read: Man Heals His Excruciating Pain With Cannabis After A Battery of Pharmaceuticals Failed
Addressing the Cause
Chronic pain is a serious problem – one that many doctors unfortunately don’t know how to treat. Ongoing pain makes it difficult for those suffering it to get through their daily tasks, and can be extremely frustrating. The problem is compounded when pain comes from conditions that aren’t well understood, like fibromyalgia.
While some natural remedies are very beneficial at helping reduce chronic pain, you may find that they don’t completely relieve your problem unless you also take steps to address the cause of your pain. If you suffer from pain, consult your preferred health care professional.
In the meantime, natural remedies have been proven to reduce pain significantly enough that you don’t have to rely on dangerous over-the-counter or prescription medications. And for many suffering from chronic pain, this is a relief in and of itself.
About the author:
Tara Heath is a freelance writer from Southern California with a passion for natural health. Although she does not struggle with chronic pain, she knows that this condition affects thousands daily, and enjoys helping these individuals find natural means of relief. Tara recommends Bellezza Spa for those seeking massage therapy for pain relief.
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