Before going any further, let us first get to know what the different types of pain are.
Different Types of Pains
Knowing the types of pain will help you determine the help that you need to treat it. The different types of pains are:
Acute Pain
This type of pain is short-lived. It is usually experienced in minor situations like an injury or a medical condition. This is your body’s initial response to injury or harm.
Chronic Pain
This type of pain takes a lot longer to go away or heal. It usually lasts for months. Chronic pain is also more severe, giving you deliberating and discouraging discomfort.
Causes of Pain
What causes pain? How do you incur one? Here are the main causes of pain:
- Injury caused by a fall, slip, or collision
- Medical conditions such as gout, sore throat, cancer, etc.
Conventional Treatments for Pain
The most common treatment that people use for pain is prescribed medications. Among these are:
- Opiates
- Corticosteroids
- Benzodiazepines
- Antidepressants
- NSAIDS
These conventional medications can help manage pain. However, there is no guarantee that these will give you the results you expect. Our bodies react to medications in various ways. One medication may work for you but not for others, and vice versa. The problem with these medications is that you could be reaping their side effects, especially when you have been taking them for a very long time. Plus, they can also be addicting.
10 Natural Pain Relievers
There are different ways to relieve pain naturally. These are cheap, non-addictive, non-invasive, and sometimes readily available in your home. Some of the common natural pain relievers are:
1. Cold and heat packs
This helps provide pain relief quickly. Cold packs work well on injuries and inflammation, while heat packs work best on relieving muscle or joint injuries.
2. Cayenne pepper
This hot ingredient is also effective in relieving pain. When this is applied to the affected area, heat is produced, allowing for better blood flow. It can reduce inflammation, which will also result in less pain. Cayenne pepper is best used for pains felt in the muscles, joints, and back.
3. Ginger
Ginger has been known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties. It offers lots of medicinal benefits that can work best for menstrual pain, arthritis, muscle pain, and nausea.
4. Turmeric
This can reduce pain and increase movement. It is anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants. Turmeric is completely safe to consume, even in large quantities daily. It gives relief from gout, arthritis, asthma, and throat infections.
5. Ashwagandha
This may help in preventing pain signals from traveling along the central nervous system. It has anti-inflammatory properties. By taking this, it is easier to manage pain. It can work on conditions like infections, severe anxiety, muscle injuries, and headaches.
6. Fish oil
A small amount of fish oil daily can help reduce joint and muscle pains. It can help reduce pain and swelling. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. If you are suffering from arthritis, heart disease, back pain, or a muscle injury, then you should include fish oil in your daily regimen.
7. California poppy
This is a close relative of the opium poppy. It has pain-relieving properties but no addictive properties. With California poppy, you are taking a natural combination of opiates and benzodiazepines. It is effective for chronic pains. You can use this if you are suffering from neck pain, muscle injuries, migraine headaches, or chronic fatigue syndrome.
8. White willow bark
This is often called “nature’s aspirin,” mainly because it is the source of aspirin. It is a good all-around pain reliever that works well on conditions like joint pain, lower back pain, menstrual pain, and muscle damage.
9. Cloves
This is as effective as benzocaine gel, which is used to reduce needle pain. This has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. It relieves toothache and gum swelling.
10. CBD oil
This has anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and pain-relieving properties. It is non-psychoactive, which means that you do not have to worry about getting high. It can help with different conditions such as headaches, arthritis, epilepsy, and neuralgia. These are easily available from the comfort of your home. The best thing about these is that they are drug-free, all-natural, and safe.
Alternative Activities for Pain Relief
Aside from using these natural pain relievers, you can also do activities that help manage pain, such as:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
When to See a Doctor
Any time you experience severe and intolerable pain, you should give your doctor a visit. The pain could be related to an existing health condition. The doctor will give you advice on how to properly manage pain.
You should also seek a doctor’s advice if you feel pain but do not know its cause. It could be a health condition that also needs treatment.
In addition, if your medications and natural pain relievers are no longer effective, you should see your doctor. They can prescribe a new medication or give you a different method to help you get pain relief.
To Sum It Up
Not everyone wants to take medications for pain. Some people are concerned about the side effects that medications can cause. This is why many are looking for natural, drug-free, and invasive-free methods to relieve pain.
Natural pain relievers can help, especially with mild to moderate pain. There is no guarantee that it will work well with severe pain. However, the good thing about these is that they do not have side effects. It is also important to note that what works for one person may not work for another, and you should consult a professional before adding anything new to your routine.
Aside from the ones mentioned above, there are other ways to manage pain naturally. You just need to find those that will make you pain-free.
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