Dealing with pain is a struggle most of us face in our lives at one point or the other, often for long periods of time. Among other things, injuries, illnesses, and any kind of stress, whether physical or emotional, automatically manifests as pain in our body, especially in inflammatory conditions as the chemicals that the body releases to fight these conditions also cause pain. There are ways of getting natural pain relief.
Why use natural pain relief?
Ingesting pain medication is the route most people take when it comes to pain relief, owing to the ease with which they can get over-the-counter drugs. However, there is a limit to which you can rely on these medicines, especially if you suffer from chronic pain. The adverse effects of being on medication for long periods of time coupled with the ineffectiveness of taking the same dose repeatedly have called for new approaches to dealing with pain, in a way that is not artificial. Fortunately, there is a host of natural methods you can use, all of which are easy to practice while also having a long-lasting effect on the body.
A Good Amount of Exercise
The fact that this is the first thing on the list shouldn’t come as a surprise. You are likely aware of the benefits of working out on a regular basis. When we exercise, our body releases chemicals which stimulate an enhanced state of health. Muscle, bone, and joint pain are all eased through exercise as it releases tension and helps keep all the body parts functioning well. This doesn’t mean that you should exercise more than you need to and put an excessive amount of strain on your body but maintaining a certain level of physical activity in your life is extremely beneficial for you. For those of us who work in offices and are confined to our desks the whole day, exercising daily is even more important. Sitting in front of a screen from 9 in the morning to 5 in the evening will always result in pain of some sort that will eventually become unbearable.
Essential Oils
This natural remedy is used to solve many kinds of health issues, from relieving pain to facilitating sleep and everything in between. There are many ways of using essential oils. You can either directly massage them into your body, use them in the form of mist sprays or soak in them by incorporating them in your bath among many other things. These methods also differ based on the particular oil. Regardless of the method of use, essential oils will almost always lead to excellent results.
Some essential oils that are most commonly used for their relaxing properties include German Chamomile, Sweet Marjoram, Eucalyptus,and Rosemary. Investing in them will help you say goodbye to pain woes.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that most of you are probably already familiar with, having likely used it in the kitchen when making your favourite Indian dish. Research has shown that turmeric can be used as a pain reliever because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Many people today have started using it as a means of dealing with their pain by making it more manageable and so can you. The fact that it is affordable and readily available makes it all the more attractive as an option when it comes to the methods of pain relief.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Using heat as a source of pain relief is a practice which has been used over the centuries and is still widely used today. Through the use of hot water bottles or by soaking in warm baths, you are sure to find a solution to your pain and suffering. Those who suffer from muscle and bone pain should specifically consider using this method as heat will stimulate your nerves and ensure that your pain is relieved.
Alternatively, people also advocate the use of cold therapy to counteract pain. This is also a tried-and-tested method which leads to beneficial results. However, when you are self-administering these methods, you should always do your research as different causes of pain require different modes of therapy. At the end of the day, it is always best to leave it to the experts if you are unsure of which route to take as you don’t want to aggravate the situation any further.
Yoga and Meditation
These methods of pain management are also encouraged by many experts because of the relief they provide to the sufferer. Through these methods, not only is your pain lessened, but your mind also begins to feel better. Yoga and meditation are designed to relieve stress and when stress levels go down, the amount of harmful chemicals which normally cause pain also see a decrease. This then leads to reduced pain levels overall, allowing you to lead a life where your physical and mental health is in a much better condition than they were previously.
Emotional Freedom Techniques
A relatively recent method of reducing pain which is becoming popular rapidly, owing to its many benefits, is EFT Tapping.
The basis for this treatment is that there are certain meridian points in our bodies which, when tapped, can lead to decreased stress and anxiety levels by returning energy levels in the body to their optimal states. The benefits of this form of treatment have been researched extensively and ithas been shown to have a positive impact on the lives of innumerable people. Once you have the appropriate knowledge regarding your energy meridians and how to tap them in the right place at the right time and in the correct manner, you can use this method to eliminate chronic pain.
Ending Note
Living life while also battling with pain can be extremely difficult. And there is a limit to the number of painkillers you can take to function normally. By finding natural methods to decrease pain, the ones that suit you in particular, you can easily tackle this problem and come out of the other end stronger and with much more in control of your life.
If you’re also suffering from depression, check out Natural Ways to Help with Depression.
The ways of managing chronic pain are growing in more ways than one, but the biggest way in which they are growing is the amount of coverage given to this issue by sites like yours.
I too suffer from chronic-pain and have done now for a relatively short period of time when compared to others. I cannot imagine how hard it is to live with such pain for 30 years or more.
When I started getting increased pain to the point of chronic pain diagnosis I decided to follow the doctors advice, which consisted of drugs, drugs and more drugs. He had said that I should exercise more and improve my diet too. I walked into the doctors room recently and said there must be a better way!
I told him I was going to change how my condition was managed.
My starting point was not with exercise.
I started with an improved diet and got that bit under control.
Then I went with Turmeric and Magnesium, after doing a ton of research.
This is as far as I have gone but my next steps will be to start the exercise bit and move onto Aromatherapy approach, but I need more research there. So I will adding your comments on the oils to my research.
My main reason for not starting with exercise is that my body could not tolerate exercise due to the pain. I needed to be able to take other steps first. These appear to be working.
Thanks for bringing this issue to our attention, and thanks for recommending an approach which I had not considered.
Hi Steve. You may wish to visit Dawn, the author of this article, at http://www.dawncady.com.au or join her Facebook group. Dawn is an inspiration and has overcome chronic and debilitating pain to help people like you suffering from chronic pain in a natural way.
Hello Steve,
Great work on challenging the norm, many unfortunately don’t and become a victim of addiction as I myself did.
In relation to exercise may I put something to you as to why you maybe resisting? If so, read on… I firstly will let you know a part of what I do is on language, as I know this is the missing link to treatment of chronic pain. Language has a huge impact on our ability to recover. And this is a wonderful example you have shared. The word exercise for many, believe it or not is a trigger word to activate the body’s fear response. Why? Because it is closely linked to the word exorcise, through my experience I have found by simply replacing the word with “movement” the body has less resistant to move. Interesting…
Hopefully you have success and would love to know if this shift works for you. 😊
I would like to also say thank you Steve for your kind words and taking the time to share what has worked for you, I know how powerful it is for those in pain; offers courage and hope.
Have a lovely day
Dawn x
Good morning Dawn! As a pharmacist I was so encouraged to read your article on pain management without medication. I heartily agreed with every point you made in encouraging patients not to seek pain solutions in a bottle of pills.
My husband was diagnosed with ALS about 5 years ago – and I’m sure you’re familiar with the multiple pain markers and discomforts of that disease. Quite accidentally (or through divine inspiration) we began making handmade soaps using essential oils as an opportunity to assault his olfactory senses in an effort to awaken his sense of smell – and taste. I cant explain on a scientific level how his improvement occurred, but here we are 5 years later and the doctors are saying, “we don’t know WHAT your diagnosis is, but you DON’T have ALS! Praise God! Essential oils do have benefits – and I’ve often wondered if research has been done comparing the stress reduction of Roman Chamomile versus Lavender (a less expensive alternative). Would love you to share if you any insight!
Since that time, I’ve developed several different pain management methodologies using high potency magnesium solutions. Working on the principle that magnesium interrupts the flow of chemical mediators and reduces inflammation, we use high potency magnesium added to Himalayan and Dead Sea Salts, as a compounded 25% spray (not the commercially available Magnesium oil although it too can give some relief), and in a high potency magnesium cream to relieve pain, reduce muscle spasm and induce relaxation. Perhaps in magnesium we have found a potent medicinal that is effective across a wide range of pain inducing pathologies. It is entirely safe and incredibly effective!
Personally, due to a severe NSAID reaction I can no longer take them for my osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. By combining the use of high quality turmeric capsules and turmeric added to foods, I find I have less pain and more freedom of movement! (And no more costly COX-2 inhibitors either!)
Knowing that the topical use of CBD oil is on the rise, I’m wondering if you use that in your practice at all and how extensive a modulation of pain your patients have experienced.
I’m also fascinated about the topic of tapping and have heard of using “cupping” as well. I’m wondering if you have experience comparing the two modalities.
Thank you for a very well-written and educational piece!
SharonRPh
Hello Sharon, thank you for taking the time to read and firstly I would love to say well done to you for taking control as it’s not easy to break away from mainstream; sounds as though you really have made huge changes to your husbands health 😊
In relation to lavender vs Roman Chamomile from my limited knowledge of the comparison. I am told it’s within the vibrational energy of Roman chamomile, and this is why it’s much more powerful. However, I’m a great believer we are all unique and some may find a greater benefit using Lavender.
Magnesium to me is one of the wonder healers for pain, I use it in several forms, for example, with acute pain it’s my go to I recommend clients spray directly. Also I suggest for daily intake using the roll-on magnesium as a replacement for deodorant, offering great benefit to the lymphatic drainage system.
In relation to Tapping Sharon, for me, it’s the holy grail. The reason I say this is many chronic pains sufferers are experiencing their pain due to the body sensing danger threats, in turn signals the nervous system to be triggered.
When we are triggered for an extended period the sympathetic nervous system becomes the dominant system we run from. Unfortunately this wreaks havoc on the body leading to a whole host of issues. Tapping allows to retrain the brain to switch to the parasympathetic NS and offers the body respite from cortisol production. Along with those amazing benefits it takes away the emotional charge from traumatic events, in which the body may still feel is an immediate threat.
I hope this answers all addressed. Feel free to connect with me on social media Sharon.
FB:- @pain.trf.coach on FB and Freedom from Pain Community (group)
Have a lovely day ahead.
Dawn x
Interesting article Dawn,
My life is full of pain not physically but emotionally. I used to exercise and meditate a lot but after I got busy, I didn’t really have time to do all of those so I resorted to smoking and vaping. They help distract the pain temporarily but it’s not a permanent fix so I’m looking for an alternative and I found the Emotional freedom Techniques quite intriguing.
I know that I needed to tap into the meridian points but I’m still a bit blurry on that one, perhaps you could write another article about it on your next post? It’ll be super amazing to know more about it.
I must agree with you. Using painkillers so much can badly affect our body and health instead of curing it. I always run for the natural remedies because they definitely work the best. I did not know that turmeric is good for pain. I am using it as a spice because it clean our body. I will recommend it to my aunt who suffer from neck pain.
when I am in pain, I do my mediation. meditation to help me relax.Deep breathing and meditation are techniques that help your body relax, which may ease pain. I have less tension and tightness from muscles as they receive a quiet message to relax. Although there are many ways to meditate, the soothing power of repetition is healing.
Hey Dawn,
my life is filled my pain not physically but emotionally. I used to meditate and exercise a lot back then but after I got busy, I resorted to something that requires less time like smoking and vaping. I find the Emotional Freedom Techniques quite intriguing and I’d love to hear more about it and how I can apply it. Do you have any plans on writing a guide about it?
I think the addict aren’t addict on drug.They are addicted on the behaviour and habit they prone of.My opinion manage pain was to let their body work the wonder as our body would able to adapt and create their own “felt good chemical ” (Dopamine) within in their body so that could lives through it.The main reason people are suffering chronic pain and wanted to surrender their own life majority lacking of mindset of vision.As a person contain themselves with plans ,vision and hope so that they will have a great willpower to stay strong .As also with the support of family and loves one ,i think it would able drive people to stand strong withstand any upcoming obstacle .
Hey there,
Natural methods are the best ways to decrease pain. All among mentioned, Yoga is the one which really helps to control pain in a natural way.
As you practice Yoga, your brain releases dopamine, which creates a feel good feeling. Turmeric can be really helpful in combating pain. Essential oils can be helpful, but you must be very careful while applying. Some essential oils are very strong and never to be directly applied on skin.
All the methods you mentioned are really good, one just need to find out which one is more suitable to get relief from pain.
Thanks for this articles Dawn. I can really relate to your point about exercise easing pain. I suffer from occasional back pain and what surprised me is if I do core muscle exercises at the onset of the pain, the back pain is usually gone by the time I have finished the exercise.
I have chronic pain and the best medicine that is all natural is Marijuana, I know it is illegal in my state, which is North Carolina. It is legal in 30 states and more every year find the need to have medical Marijuana legal. I have used Marijuana for over 47 years and know the benefits of it use for chronic pain. I am going to a pain management doctor this morning and I know that all they will want to do is stick needles with some kind of meds in it that don’t work but for a few days. I am going to go anyway, because I have had 7 total knee replacement surgeries on my right knee, my back has been broke twice, I have hammer toe and have arthritis all through my body. I would be fine with medical Marijuana for my pain management if it was legal in my home state. Maybe before I die North Carolina will see what the benefits are of this totally natural pain relief medicine. What are your thoughts on Marijuana for pain management?
I really appreciate this article for helping people to deal with pain without drugs.
I am just curious about Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) because there is some inconsistency about the study and effectiveness of EFT.
I would just like to point out that there was a “systematic review in EFT which found out that it was effective in reducing anxiety compared to controls, but also called for more research comparing its effectiveness to that of established treatments.” (Wikipedia)
It is just my opinion. Hope I give some additional information that may help your readers.
Thanks.