People who struggle with chronic pain – that is, pain that is persistent or that comes and goes over a period of more than twelve weeks – might be prescribed medication for relief. But taking medication over an extended period does not sit well with some folk. To that end, they will look for alternative methods to help relieve their pain. Thankfully, there are plenty of options when it comes to non-drug pain relief. Below are a few examples as well as what painful conditions they can be used to treat.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a focused state of mind that can help patients to manage their pain by relaxing them and redirecting their attention away from the pain. It is often used to treat conditions such as:
- labor
- fibromyalgia
- cancer
- migraines
- tension headaches
- irritable bowel syndrome
- arthritis
- cancer.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy that involves fine needles being inserted under the skin near to various nerves. The needles are then stimulated with an electrical pulse which then causes the brain to release endorphins, blocking the pain. It is typically used to treat pain associated with the following conditions:
- fibromyalgia
- labor
- musculoskeletal injuries
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- rheumatoid arthritis
- osteoarthritis
- cancer.
Sound Therapy
Sound therapy involves the use of instruments and sounds to induce relaxation and relieve stress. According to the experts at Maloca Sound, it can also be used to help distract patients from the pain associated with the following:
- cancer
- arthritis
- fibromyalgia
- surgery
- labor
- muscle pain.
TENS Machines
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machines connect to various parts of the body with electrodes, through which electrical impulses are sent to block pain and relax muscles. TENS machines are becoming more common for the treatment of conditions such as:
- labor
- endometriosis
- arthritis
- fibromyalgia.
Massage
Chiropractic massages are a nonsurgical treatment for a variety of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions that cause pain. Massage helps to relieve the stress and tension that are often the cause of pain in various areas of the body, particularly in the back and neck. Massage is also used as a treatment for headaches.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is often recommended by doctors to improve motor function and ease pain. It involves the use of various exercises designed to increase movement;it can help relieve pain associated with the following:
- surgery
- injury
- accident
- arthritis
- recovering after giving birth
- recovering after a stroke.
Can Exercise and Diet Help?
Some people with chronic pain do not know what is causing their pain as they have no obvious condition (such as any of those mentioned above). Sometimes, for example, back pain might be caused by poor posture or obesity.
Pain doctors are specialists in the field of pain and know that treatment for chronic pain often requires more than just medication. That is why an alteration to diet and lifestyle can often bring about change. Incorporating exercise into your life can help to minimize pain associated with stiff muscles, and it can also help people to shed excess weight. Furthermore, eating a healthier diet could also massively improve a person’s physical and mental health. Getting the right nutrients is important because many of the aches and pains that people experience is actually related to their what they eat.
Conclusion
Those who want a drug-free way of relieving their pain have many different options, such as sound therapy, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, TENS machines, and hypnosis. For many individuals with chronic pain however, a change in diet and lifestyle could mean a massive improvement in their health, improving any pain as well. It may help to speak to a pain doctor, who will assess you and create a plan of care based on your individual needs.