If you suffer from chronic pain, you will appreciate the number of painkillers you need to take. The only problem with traditional medicines is that they can sometimes cause upset to your digestive systems. For those who suffer from this, the alternative is to find other ways to deal with the pain. There are many alternatives to traditional painkillers, and they all have their unique properties.
Cannabis
There are many states now in the US that have licensed marijuana for medical use. It contains many properties that can help with many medical conditions. Among those, are the reduction in inflammation and the easing of chronic pain. Companies such as Leafblower now supply high CBD strains that have all the benefits of cannabis, but none of the unwanted side effects.
Willow Bark
Willow bark has long been used for the easing of inflammation and relieving aches and pains. The bark of the white willow contains the chemical salicin which works similarly to Aspirin. Originally, people used to chew the bark to get the effect, however, now it is brewed much like tea, and the infused water is drunk. It can also now be obtained in a capsule form for those who don’t like the taste.
Turmeric
The fragrant spice Turmeric has been used in curries to give it its yellow color and unique flavor for centuries. It contains a compound called curcumin that has an antioxidant effect. The compound helps protect the body from free radicals that damage tissue and cells in the body. It has also been found to help with indigestion, ulcers, psoriasis, and cancer. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is also sometimes be used as a painkiller.
Cloves
Cloves are used mainly in cooking to give the food a unique flavor. However, there are many other uses for this herb such as to treat nausea, colds and also as a pain reliever. Studies have also shown that cloves can treat fungal infections, although more research is being carried out. Many people use cloves for its ingredient eugenol which can be used for a toothache if you rub the area with clove oil.
Acupuncture
The use of acupuncture by the Chinese goes back many hundreds of years. The practice of placing needles in certain areas of the body is thought to help rebalance the body’s natural energy pathways. Because of these pathways, the needles may be placed far away from the source of the pain. However, the effect is that the body releases the chemical serotonin which gives the patient a feeling of good health and eases the pain. Acupuncture has also been found to help those people suffering from addiction.
By using some of these alternative and ancient practices, many people have found relief from their symptoms and even been able to do things that they previously were unable to do. Although the advice of a doctor should always be sought, the benefits of alternative medicine for those with pain has been widely documented.
Photo by lkonstanski 