When you’re in pain, it can be a quick fix to reach for the trusty bottle of painkillers in the medicine cabinet. This habit that we often slip into can have a detrimental impact on our health if we suffer from recurring pain.
Painkiller addiction is real, and as well as causing us mental turmoil, it also has horrid effects on our insides. Painkiller addiction can lead to serious health problems, such as stomach ulcers and heart attacks.
If you suffer from recurring pain from an old injury or the effects of aging, then it’s time to give natural pain relief techniques a try. You’ll be shocked at the results!
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy isn’t just something the doctor orders you to do at home or with a professional after an accident. You can self refer to a physiotherapist. They hold expertise in building muscle and tendon strength, repairing aching joints, and nerve damage.
Physiotherapy is often the go-to choice for those who suffer from sporting injuries. A physiotherapist will work with you through exercise. The exercises aim for you to gain functionality and get you back in full working order, pain-free!
Chiropractic Adjustment
Around 22 million Americans visit a chiropractor annually. If you’re experiencing pain in your back and neck, then a chiropractor can realign your musculoskeletal structure to relieve the pain. The theory is based upon the proper alignment of the spine specifically to relieve you of your pain and allow your body to heal naturally without surgical intervention.
The main difference between physiotherapy and chiropractic adjustment is in their name. Physiotherapy involves repetitive exercises designed to work on a specific area. Over time the therapy will build up strength to alleviate the pain in the long term.
Chiropractic adjustment is a method in which the professional uses hands-on techniques to move and align your skeleton back into the correct posture with the belief that this will take the strain off of a pained area and encourage healing.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is growing in popularity in the western world of medicine. It’s one of the oldest forms of traditional medicine and boasts the ability to cure headaches, migraines, anxiety, and stress, as well as neck pain and other areas of specific chronic pain in the body.
The professionals at Activa Clinics say that acupuncture works through the stimulation of nerves, muscles, organs, connective tissues, and the immune systems by using needles.
Massage
A regular massage is not just beneficial for our mental health, but it’s also a great way to manage pain. By massaging the muscles, you’re dampening the cytokines released in our bodies that cause inflammation and pain. It also triggers the muscle to release mitochondria, which produce the energy muscles we need to recover.
Massage is not a long term cure but should be used for a pain management and prevention regime, especially for those who involve themselves in high impact sport.
Aqua Therapy
Aquatic therapy for chronic pain is an excellent alternative for those who find physiotherapy too painful to continue with daily. When submerged, 80% of the body’s weight is reduced, taking the pressure off of joints to be able to practice exercises and build strength for mobility.
Chronic pain can be deliberating, and people find aqua therapy as a means to regain independence and be active again. There are a number of exercises you can do in the pool to build strength. Which you use will depend on the affected area and your level of pain.
It’s best to start slow and simple and build up your confidence in the water to a comfortable level of pain and work from there. Pushing yourself too hard and too fast can have a negative impact on your recovery.
Final Thoughts
Before going ahead with any type of therapy for pain relief, it’s always safe practice to consult your physician. The last thing you want is to try therapy and make your pain worse. Remember that natural therapies can be used alongside medicinal help, so don’t throw away what the doctor has ordered just because you’ve booked your acupuncture appointment.