Most chronic pain sufferers leave no stone unturned in their search for pain relief. Over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can play an important part in chronic pain management and tendonitis pain relief, but prolonged use can cause side effects. Prescription drugs can also be effective, but they’re often addictive and the side effects can be severe. So, what’s the solution?
More and more people are choosing to go natural, as you can see from these real-life chronic pain stories from To Better Days. Natural chronic pain relief can be incredibly effective and make a big difference to the lives of those who might otherwise feel like they’re running out of options.
Natural Chronic Pain Management
People have been using a range of alternative therapies to manage chronic pain for hundreds of years. Although there are relatively few scientific studies into the success rates of these therapies, there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that the following natural chronic pain relief remedies can and do help chronic pain sufferers around the world.
1. To Better Days Active Patches
To Better Days Active Patches can be stuck discreetly onto the body at the source of the pain. They are all-natural and include ingredients that have been proven to improve the health of joints, nerves and muscles. The patented combination of vitamin D and dextrose is absorbed straight into the tissue, helping those with chronic pain enjoy a more active lifestyle.
Calvin was desperately searching for alternative tendonitis pain relief after painkillers left him feeling less sharp and less aware of his senses when he trained. He tried the patches for the first time and started to feel the benefits after just 15 minutes.
“I applied the patches to various other muscle groups including the VMO and the lower back. I started to feel less pain in the muscle group where I applied the patch about 15 minutes into the session. I also noticed some improvement in my movement range, which I think is really promising,” he noted.
2. Essential oils
Studies have shown that lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and rosemary essential oils may all relieve the pain associated with a range of ailments.
One 2015 review found that peppermint oil can be effective in the treatment of painful spasms and the problems associated with arthritis. Another study found that inhaling eucalyptus oil relieved the pain experienced after knee replacement surgery when compared to almond oil.
3. Acupuncture
Although acupuncture may not look like the most inviting way to manage chronic pain, this form of alternative therapy causes little to no discomfort and may benefit those suffering from more than 100 different conditions.
Although research into the success rates of acupuncture is still very much in its infancy, there’s a growing body of evidence that suggests it produces real benefits for those suffering from neck pain, lower back pain, knee pain and migraines.
4. Yoga and meditation
Yoga is one form of natural chronic pain relief that many people have tried, with varying results. There is some evidence to suggest yoga can help people with fibromyalgia, migraines, arthritis, lower back pain and other types of chronic pain conditions.
As well as physical stretching, yoga also incorporates breathing exercises and relaxation methods, so there’s something chronic pain sufferers of every age and athletic ability can benefit from.
5. Plants, herbs and spices
Plants, herbs and spices have long been used as home remedies for all sorts of conditions, and the advance of science means there’s now a growing body of evidence to show that they can be effective in chronic pain management.
Cloves, for example, have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, and have been found to be as effective as benzocaine gel in the treatment of toothaches. Another study suggests capsaicin, a natural ingredient found in chilli peppers, has pain-relieving properties, as does turmeric, which is as effective as ibuprofen at managing the pain of knee osteoarthritis when taken for four weeks.
6. Cannabidiol (CBD) oil
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is made by extracting CBD, one of over 100 active ingredients that’s found in cannabis plants, and diluting it into a carrier oil. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis that causes the sensation of getting ‘high’, CBD is not psychoactive. Instead, it’s gathering momentum in the health and wellness world as a natural reliever of conditions such as anxiety and chronic pain.
Studies have shown that CBD could help to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, and inhibit inflammatory and neuropathic pain, which are two of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat.
Finding the Right Method of Chronic Pain Management For You
Taking over-the-counter and prescribed pain relief medication can be a safe and effective way to manage chronic pain. However, it’s not the only route to pain relief. There are many forms of natural chronic pain relief that can work well over the long-term without the side effects some people experience from medication.
We hope this guide increases your awareness of the methods of pain relief that are available so you can explore your options and find a solution that works for you.
