5 alternatives to pain medication

Here are 5 ways you can fight pain without the use of medication.

Chronic pain or pain that one suffers from for a long time is definitely quite bothersome. Often the only choice a person has are NSAIDS (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) and over-the-counter drugs that help ease the pain. Unfortunately, more often than not, these medications have severe side effects. Apart from leading to ulcers in the stomach, these drugs canalso cause liver failure, and in some cases may even lead to addiction. So, if you have been looking for an alternative way to beat the pain, here are five natural alternatives that can help.

Herbs: Nature abounds with natural and harmless methods to beat pain. Some of the most common are chilies (containing capsacin), turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and ajwain (or carrom seeds). Chilies contain a compound called capsacin, an effective agent in relieving pain. In the case of turmeric, ginger and carom seeds they have very potent anti-inflammatory agents that also go a long way in easing pain. The best part about using these herbs (apart from the fact that they do not have any side effects) is the fact that they are cheap, easy to use, and are non addictive in nature.

How you can use them: To use chilies as a pain killer, there are a number of capsacin extracts available in the market that you can apply. Make sure you use a small amount, as it can cause an intense burning sensation and be uncomfortable. To use turmeric just add a spoonful to a glass of warm milk and have some haldi doodh just before you go to bed. In the case of cinnamon and carom seeds, roast them and crush them with some water, to make a paste. Apply this paste to the area where you have pain. You can also place a cloth on the area to help keep the paste wet for longer.

Yoga: Yoga can be very beneficial in beating pain. Not only does the practice help relax the body and mind, it also helps to stretch out muscles that might be hurting. Another benefit of the practice is that it helps increase blood circulation and oxygenation of the area that hurts. This in turn helps beat pain. Additionally, the practice of yoga also helps release happy hormones, that help beat pain.

How to use it: Practising yoga poses like shavasana (or yog nidra), cat stretch and other simple poses helps in pain relief. All you need to make sure of is that you do not harm the area that is paining and that you perform the exercises in the presence of a trained yoga practitioner.

Relaxation: Research has found that there is a mind body connection we all have. In some cases, relaxing and allowing your body to simply resolve the problem can be the difference between suffering with pain and a pain free existence. Research has shown that relaxation therapy can help with fibromyalgia, headaches, osteoarthritis, and other conditions by helping the body relax and release tension.

How you can do it: There are a variety of ways you can do this. One of the best methods is to lie down, play some soothing music and simply concentrate on your breathing. Allow your mind to zone in on the place where the pain originates and breathe through the pain. Other ways you can use relaxation as an effective tool are by trying relaxation therapy, deep relaxation methods (scientifically proven to provide relief from pain), meditation techniques and hypnosis.

Massage: A popular method to beat pain is massage. Used widely in Ayurveda, massage involves the application of certain oils (which are used depending on the type of pain you are suffering from) on your body and massaging the area using certain massage techniques. Extremely effective in relieving pain caused due to rheumatoid arthritis, neck and back injuries, and fibromyalgia, techniques like shirodhara and other forms of massage have been found to help beat pain.

How to use this: The best way to get effective pain relief using a massage is to go to a trained Panchakarma practitioner to help diagnose the problem and prescribe an appropriate form of massage.

Dietary changes: According to experts there are certain foods that do lead to inflammation and in turn can lead to pain. According to Racchna Chacchi, nutritionist, certain acidic foods are best avoided by people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. This is because these foods are acidic in nature and have been found to cause inflammation and pain in joints. Other dietary changes most experts suggest are lowering one's consumption of sugary, fatty and carbohyderate rich foods in order to lose weight and to include pain fighting foods in your diet like turmeric, chillies, green leafy vegetables, etc.

How you can use this: The key to using this tip is to understand how food affects your body. Add foods that contain vitamin D, K and C, green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits into your diet and avoid foods that contain additives, red meat, milk and milk products (if you are allergic to them), and citrus fruits as they lead to inflammation. The best way to do this is to have a set diet and plan for every meal.

You may also like to read:

• Ayurvedic medicine health benefits of Guduchi
• Cinnamon a natural remedy to relieve arthritic pain
• 7 tips to get rid of nagging back pain

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