The pain of a chronic illness or an injury can be unbearable. And all too often, you can turn to less-than-desirable methods to relive it. Prescription opioids have caused an epidemic in the United States, leading to illicit drugs. So you might be looking for other ways to help with your pain. Fortunately, there are many. Here are some non-addictive pain relief methods.
Perfectly Legal Cannabinoids
Chemicals known as cannabinoids are found in cannabis plants. They have physical and psychological effects on the body. For instance, cannabinoids control appetite, reduce pain and inflammation, and balance emotions. The hairs of the cannabis plant, which also contain THC, are used to make CBD. It’s THC that makes you feel high. But there’s also THCV. What is THCV? Well, THCV is a minor cannabinoid that isn’t as strong as THC but has some of the same positive effects. CBD is also found in foods like ginseng and dark chocolate.
Non-Addictive Pain Relief Includes Holistic Therapies
Many doctors do not believe that ancient medicines are genuine. However, numerous alternative therapies provide pain relief for millions of people around the world. One of the best techniques is acupuncture, followed by acupressure. Muscle relaxation is also provided by massage and energy alignment techniques like Reiki. Therefore, visiting a holistic doctor may help you get some of the pain relief you need rather than turning to more painkillers. In addition, most holistic therapists are familiar with physiotherapy even though they are not doctors.
Modern Biofeedback Treatment
One of the strangest ways to treat pain is with biofeedback techniques. Using visual and auditory feedback, biofeedback trains individuals to recognize the telltale signs and symptoms of emotional distress, such as anxiety and stress. The procedure for a biofeedback session begins with the attachment of electrodes to your skin. An image, sound, or flash of light is then displayed on a monitor based on signals sent by the electrodes or sensors. These signals indicate muscle activity, sweating, temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood flow.
Hot and Cold Treatments
Hot and cold treatments are well known for healing and helping relieve pain. Sports people and those with an injury might use them alternately. Fortunately, you can easily use heat and cold packs or take hot and cold showers to help with your pain. Heat increases the blood and nutrient flow to a particular area of the body. It frequently works best to warm up muscles before activity or to relieve morning stiffness. Cold reduces pain and swelling by slowing blood flow. It frequently works best for temporary discomfort, such as sprains or strains caused by activity.
Essential Oils for Pain, Inflammation, and Swelling
Essential oils are a type of holistic therapy, and their effects on pain are debatable from a scientific point of view. However, millions of people swear by essential oils for many ailments like indigestion, stress, and anxiety. Here are some of the best essential oils for pain:
- Lavender: helps relax muscles and calm you down.
- Eucalyptus: cools muscles and reduces inflammation.
- Clove: helps with pain by warming up your body.
- Sage: helps reduce muscle spasms and tension.
- Lemongrass: helps reduce swelling of muscles.
Essential oils are popular for pain, inflammation, and swelling. But they also have a calming effect only on your mind. However, you must be careful when using concentrated oils. Always check the directions carefully since you might need to dilute them first before application.
A Healthy Diet and Gentle Exercise
You won’t benefit from leading an inactive and sedentary lifestyle. Additionally, if you don’t exercise, back pain, musculoskeletal injuries, and joint pain related to arthritis will get worse. All you need to do to loosen up your muscles and reduce inflammation is to exercise for at least 15 minutes each day. You should also modify your diet to include foods that are anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants, such as bananas. Finally, since they can worsen muscle inflammation, trans-fats (solid at room temperature) and artificial sweeteners should be avoided entirely.
Healing Bath Soaks
Like essential oils, you can use healing bath soaks to help with your pain. Some are excellent for stress relief as well. All you need to do is find one that works for you and take a relaxing bath. Some are designed to heat up your muscles to relieve tension. While others will have a soothing and calming effect, slowing down blood flow and your heart rate. Bath soaks are an excellent accompaniment to other treatments such as essential oils, mild exercise, and OTC pain medication to relieve chronic pain such as a bad back, RSI, and broken bones.
Food and Drink Provide Non-Addictive Pain Relief
The food and drink you consume have a profound effect on your body. Some foods harm while others can heal. There are many anti-inflammatory ingredients with proven pain relief benefits. These include chilies, turmeric, and garlic. Including these in your recipes will help reduce the pain associated with issues such as arthritis. Additionally, toxins can build up in your body, especially if you need strong medication. So antioxidant foods such as blueberries, green tea, and even chocolate can help reduce the effects of pain from invasive treatments and chemicals.
OTC Pain Medication
Increasing the number of painkillers may seem counterproductive. Nevertheless, there are a lot of excellent non-addictive substances that can be purchased over the counter. For example, Ibuprofen, aspirin, and paracetamol are ideal for treating moderate pain, especially when combined with strong medications. In addition, by using such medications, you might need less additional pain relief overall. Drug interactions, however, can have adverse effects like drowsiness and slowed heart rate. So always consult your pharmacist or doctor.
Summary
Going through pain is a challenge for anyone. Pain can become unbearable for anything worse than a sprain, and you can reach for addictive medication. But there are many non-addictive pain relief methods such as cannabinoids, essential oils, and certain foods. And you can also try holistic and experimental therapies like Reiki, Yoga, and biofeedback as a supplement.