Contributed by – Healthians team
Pain is essential because pain is the way your mind tells you that something is wrong in your body. Different types of pain could mean different things like a sprained ankle or a small cut or even a serious condition like arthritis. Painkillers and medications are usually our quick fix to deal with these frequent and annoying pains, but, when you have chronic pain, turning to medication means inviting its side effects. So, is there any solution to relieve pain, especially when it’s chronic? Well, there are some home remedies for pain relief and natural pain relief methods that are being used to relieve pain for hundreds of years. In this article, we will look at these 7 natural ways to relieve pain so the next time pain comes to interfere with your life, you can try these instead of reaching out for that handy paracetamol.
Exercise
Your body is designed for movement. When you don’t move around much because of the pain, the inactivity can make the pain worse. What happens when you do any kind of exercise is that your body produces its own set of painkillers like endorphins which increase your pain threshold. You can start with gentle stretches or walk around a little and from there you can build up your pace and intensity. It is also not necessary to join a gym or fitness center for a workout, you can try exercises at home, there are thousands of resources on the internet that can help you.
Turmeric
Turmeric has great anti-inflammatory properties. Its main ingredient called curcumin is mostly responsible for the benefits it offers. You can add turmeric powder to your food along with other masalas. You can add it to smoothies, shakes, sauces, or tea as well. Besides, there are curcumin supplements available in the market which can be effective. But check with your doctor before taking any supplement to be assured that it will not interact with other medications you are taking or put you at risk of certain health conditions.
[Alse read – These turmeric benefits will make your health richer]
Heat and cold therapy
Using heat and cold therapy are age-old methods to relieve pain. But the key is to know when to use which method. Heat therapy works by improving circulation and blood flow of the affected area by increasing the temperature. And cold therapy works by reducing the blood flow which significantly reduces inflammation and swelling that causes pain. So, you can use cold therapy for recent injuries and strains, while heat therapy can be used for chronic irritation and stiffness and relieving the pain of neck and back.
Meditation
Meditation is the quickest way to relax your mind and body. Some people feel anxious about it, thinking they need to do it in a certain way. But the truth is, you can meditate in many ways. The easiest one is listening to a piece of soothing music which has no particular meaning and you sit or lie comfortably and repeat the sound in your mind. Or you can try a guided meditation. Start with a few minutes of meditation per session and then gradually increase your duration. With continuous practice, you’ll definitely start to feel relaxed both mentally and physically and you’ll notice more pain relief as well.
Fiber-rich foods
A fiber-rich diet can help in relieving pain. Foods high in fiber produce a lot of short-chain fatty acids which promote the growth of healthy microbes in the digestive tract. An imbalance of microbes is associated with inflammation which may lead to pain.
Sleep habits
Amongst the many benefits of a healthy sleep routine, one is that it helps in pain management and promotes healing. So, you need to work on making a healthy sleep routine and follow it consistently to get the most benefits. You can start by eliminating distractions from your bedroom and doing activities that help you relax your mind before your sleep time.
[Also read – Do not overlook these 7 benefits of a good sleep every night]
Essential oils
Essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus may help relieve pain naturally. These oils can also ease anxiety and help you relax. But you should always be careful when using these oils. You can dilute them in carrier oils like olive oil before applying to the affected area.
These are just a few of the many natural ways to relieve pain. These can help in reducing your pain to some extent. You may combine them with other methods to relieve pain or ask your doctor for further suggestions.
