In this blog post, CLD delves deeper into different ways to manage pain. When considering alternative pain management, it is important to explore your options. Do your own research to ensure that the strategy you are considering is the right one for you. Consulting with a doctor is also a good start; this makes sure you stay safe with whatever method you choose to try and can help you make the most informed decision. There are many different alternative pain management options to consider and it is important to remember what works for one person might not work for you. This list is by no means exhaustive, but we want to give you some different strategies that could be beneficial for you or someone you know.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture uses very thin needles to stimulate energetic pathways that heal and balance the body’s systems. It can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including insomnia and migraines. It can be beneficial for those who experience fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, back injuries, and sports injuries. It can help reduce pain after a series of treatments by stimulating nerves which then leads to the release of beta-endorphins. Acupuncture can also provide relief from inflammation and stimulate nerve growth to help with nerve regeneration.
Yoga
Yoga can bring relief to those who suffer from back pain and headaches. Yoga involves a mind-body connection which uses breathing techniques and poses that loosen up the muscles and joints. It can help increase range of motion and spine alignment, which thusly helps ease fibromyalgia, neck pain, back pain, along with arthritis. Moving and stretching your joints using range of motion exercises can decrease the intensity of pain.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy can help with stress, injuries, and physical exertion. It can also help with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, knee osteoarthritis, and lower back pain. Massage pain can help those with arthritis by increasing grip strength to increase rain of motion in the hand and wrist, along with those who have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can include the use of foam rollers, fitness balls, and resistance bands to manage pain. Physical therapists use flexibility and strengthening exercises to help those who suffer from pain be able to move with less discomfort. Exercises from physical therapy can help improve coordination and movement, reduce stress on the body, and decrease pain. It can also help with posture correcting, which can ease stress on the body. With physical therapy, one should gradually introduce exercises in order to not overexert the body.
Supplements/Vitamins
There are many different supplements and vitamins available that can help to reduce ailments. Fish oil is an anti-inflammatory and can help with swelling, topical capsaicin can provide relief with arthritis and diabetic nerve pain. Glucosamine can help with osteoarthritis in the knee. Devil’s claw and white willow bark can decrease joint pain and help with rheumatoid arthritis, along with easing inflammation. Ginger can help with chronic muscle pain that comes from fibromyalgia. When taking supplements it is important to consult with your doctor on the benefits that they can provide and to see if they are an option for you. It is also important to consult, especially if you are having surgery to make sure that there won’t be any interference from a supplement. Some supplements might also interfere with prescription medications.
Pharmacist
You can utilize the knowledge of a pharmacist and ask for their advice on what alternative substances would work. You can talk to them about the pain you are experiencing and they might be able to recommend an alternative medication that you can take. If you are taking a heavier substance they will be able to inform you of any serious side effects or hazardous interactions you might experience while on a narcotic.
Dietitian
Consulting with a dietician can help manage pain, due to them knowing how different foods react with different substances along with the benefits of certain food items. They have the knowledge to help you come up with an anti-inflammatory diet that can help aid you with pain management and also be preventative with certain illnesses. They can help you if you have any food sensitivities that are causing you to experience headaches or stomach pain.
Support Groups
Support groups are a way for those who suffer from chronic pain to connect with other chronic pain sufferers. These groups provide an opportunity to talk to others experiencing similar issues and talking about how they manage their pain. It can help you get ideas on different ways you can manage your pain and what solutions might be worth trying out.
Alternative Pain Management Strategies
Pain management is something that takes time and doesn’t happen in a day; it’s not a one quick hit solution where you try something and immediately see results. It is important to remember to be continuous and consecutive with it in order to see if the method is working for you.
When trying a new alternative pain management solution, not only is consulting with your doctor an important step, but keeping up with them and updating them on your progress is important as well. If the method you are trying is not working they might be able to brainstorm with you on a different path you can try. It is also important to remember if you choose to try an alternative solution to not stop taking your medication and instead to try these methods while also taking your prescriptions. If these methods end up working for you, you can then try and incorporate them into your daily routine as a way to decrease prescription drug use.
Sources
https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/relieving-pain-with-acupuncture
https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/treatments/complementary/acupuncture/acupuncture-pain-relief
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction
https://www.yogauonline.com/yoga-for-pain-relief/7-ways-yoga-keeps-chronic-pain-wearing-you-down
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2936076/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1876616/
https://www.moveforwardpt.com/SymptomsConditionsDetail.aspx?cid=dd79c11d-9ac3-42cc-bcc2-2edd5079a57a
https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/surprising-natural-pain-killers#heat-and-ice
