Do you know painkillers do not treat pain? They only reduce sensation by interrupting pain signals to the brain. That is why we take over-the-counter painkillers only for a few days; otherwise, we will end up with severe side effects like dizziness, nausea, hormonal imbalance, etc.
The best approach towards pain is eradicating its root causes with different pain management strategies. Natural therapies like hypnosis, cold or hot application, and oil for pain relief are backed by scientific studies. In this article, learn more about these methods and how they work for pain reduction.
How to Get Rid of Pain Without Painkillers
Too much reliance on painkillers results in addiction or other side effects. There are different non-pharmacological pain management strategies leading to reduced discomfort:
- Hypnosis
Mental distraction is an effective way to reduce pain and discomfort. How can you control pain mentally? Organizations like guided imagery can help you divert your focus from pain to something relaxing and enjoyable. For adults, such distraction techniques include reading, writing, solving riddles, or deep breathing.
For younger kids, interesting videos and poems are easier techniques for diverting their attention from pain. This practice reduces the severity of pain and makes it tolerable without taking any medication.
- Heat/cold Application
Both hot and cold therapy are recommended to reduce pain and discomfort. Figuring out the cause of the pain can help select the right therapy. Cold therapy works best for inflammation as it shrinks the blood vessels and reduces blood flow. This improves the swelling, resulting in lower associated pain.
Moreover, heat packs quickly treat muscle fatigue and spasms by improving blood flow. With higher blood circulation, the affected area receives more nutrients, resulting in a speedy recovery. You can find a variety of heat packs and recovery products on amazon.com. However, be cautious with hot or cold applications to avoid burns or frostbite.
- Massage Therapy
How can pain be overcome in a particular body area? Massaging using natural oils like lavender, olive, jojoba, etc., relieves tension in a specific body part and improves mobility. These oils are more potent than various painkillers and are recommended for issues like arthritis, muscle tension, and neuropathic pain.
Moreover, there are different self-massaging techniques for foot, neck, shoulder, etc. For desired results, make sure you use the right technique and oil with the consultation of a professional physiotherapist. Remember to use natural oils after dilution with carrier oil to avoid allergy.
- Hot Water Bath
Hot water baths work effectively in getting rid of pain naturally with a massive reduction in severity. When we take a hot shower, our body’s natural pain-killer endorphin is released. It helps relieve muscle soreness and is a quick therapy for athletes for post-training fatigue. However, it’s recommended to take a hot bath for 15 minutes before your meal. Also, the ideal water temperature is around 100 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy involves putting your body into deep water up to the chest and performing certain exercises like stretching squats, jumping jacks, etc. This strategy effectively deals with chronic pain issues like back and joint pain with uniform pressure. Our muscles relax with reduced body weight and tension and speed up the healing process.
Underwater physical activities enhance our mobility with buoyancy, and you perform your workout without an injury. This practice is highly recommended for health issues like arthritis, where stretching under normal conditions becomes difficult and more painful.
Final Thoughts
Acute or chronic pain is both possible to administer without medications. Pain management strategies, as mentioned earlier, have proven results in improving the symptoms of various health issues with a consistent approach. However, everybody responds differently to various techniques. You need to figure out what works better for you in your scenario.
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