Pain is the body’s way of saying something is going wrong. But when it comes to chronic pain, finding truly effective treatments can feel like an impossibility. Pain medications are often prescribed to help with the physical sensation of pain, but the medications don’t actually do anything to treat the underlying cause of the pain, so it’s little more than a stop-gap treatment. Worse still, many pain medications are addictive, can have toxic effects, and can increase the risk of health issues like strokes and heart attacks. No one wants to live with ongoing, persistent pain, so what’s the answer?
Fortunately, there are a variety of natural ways to treat chronic pain so you can experience relief without the potentially health-threatening side effects that pain medications can bring. From massage therapy to acupuncture — and more! — here are several options you can try to get a handle on your chronic pain naturally.
Relieving Chronic Pain Naturally
When we refer to chronic pain, that’s an incredibly broad category. Chronic pain encompasses everything from fibromyalgia to sciatica and so much more. It’s important to remember this because the cause of your chronic pain will play a role in which natural pain relief methods may work better for you. In a broad sense, all of the methods we’ll discuss can help provide natural pain relief. But some may be more beneficial than others depending on the underlying cause of your pain. It’s a good idea to start with a visit to your local chiropractor. They are spine and nervous system specialists, which means your chiropractor has the training necessary to help get to the root cause of your pain and provide personalized guidance on the best treatment and pain relief options. Some of those treatment options include:
Acupuncture
This practice may be centuries old, but it still offers plenty of benefits as a modern treatment. Acupuncture uses very small, thin needles — so small you’ll barely feel them! — to target certain points on the body and help restore proper energy flow. Acupuncture treatments can be done as often as you need, and can be used to target pain in a variety of areas throughout the body in a single treatment. It also works well alongside other modalities like chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy.
Massage Therapy
And speaking of massage, if you experience chronic pain, massage therapy is a great way to provide you with natural, relaxing relief. For many who experience chronic pain, especially concerns like sciatica, pain can be caused by tight muscles and soft tissue pressing on nerves. Massage helps to boost blood circulation and flush out toxins, which can provide relief, but it also helps to loosen tight muscles to provide more lasting pain reduction.
Chiropractic Care
Similar to massage therapy, chiropractic care is a great option to provide natural pain relief and healing. Chiropractors focus on spine, joint, and nervous system health. Since your nervous system is how you feel sensations, their training means chiropractors are in a great position to offer natural pain relief through spinal decompression, chiropractic adjustments, and other treatments that focus on your joints, nerves, and muscles.
Dietary Changes
For many with chronic pain, especially fibromyalgia, inflammation can be a major cause of pain throughout the body. Avoiding inflammatory foods can go a long way toward helping provide you with ongoing pain relief naturally. Dietary changes can also lead toward weight loss, which can help with many causes of chronic pain. It’s always a good idea to start with a health plan geared toward your specific needs, so meet with a nutrition counselor for guidance.
Exercise
We know, for most with chronic pain, that when a flare-up hits, the last thing you want to do is get moving. But, if it’s within your capabilities, exercise can make a difference in ongoing pain relief. Regular, moderate exercise for even 15-20 minutes a day can increase blood flow, breathing, and body temperature — all of which can have positive benefits for your overall well-being. Of course, the exercise you do will depend on your body’s abilities, so start by meeting with a physical therapist for guidance if you’re recovering from an injury or other health concerns.
Heat & Cold Therapy
Both high and low temperatures can be used to reduce inflammation, relax tight muscles, and provide other pain-relieving benefits throughout the body. When it comes to chronic pain, cold is usually the better option, as it helps to reduce inflammation. Hot temperatures boost circulation, which can actually increase inflammation, so it’s important to understand what your body needs. For those with back spasms, tight muscles, or other ongoing pain, a warm bath or a hot pad can help ease pain naturally.
If you struggle with chronic pain, there are options to help you find relief naturally. Start with a consultation at Senara Health and Healing Center & Spa in Peoria to learn more about what your body needs. We offer chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, nutrition counseling, and more at our location so you can enjoy multiple pain relief modalities without needing to travel from place to place. Better still, our care team embraces a cooperative mindset, so we will consider how to best provide you with pain relief and healing and our team will work together to put that plan into action.
Stop struggling with chronic pain relief on your own. Connect with the team at Senara Health and Healing Center & Spa today to schedule your consultation and find relief, naturally!