Whether you suffer from arthritis, pain resulting from injury, or wear or tear it can be an unpleasant experience that can have a detrimental impact on your day-to-day life. If your pain is ongoing or continuous in nature you may be reluctant to rely on medication every day as this can not only be expensive but you may experience side effects of medications. If you are looking for alternative remedies to alleviate your aches and pains then consider some of the following.
Exercise
The exercise you undertake will depend on the level of pain you experience and the cause of that pain and you should always undertake professional advice before embarking on a new exercise or fitness regime if you suffer from aches and pains. That said exercise may reduce the pain you experience. For example, joint pain is a common complaint and regular exercise or strength building can help to strengthen muscles that support joints and in turn decrease the level of pain and discomfort you feel. Of course, if you suffer from joint pain then you may be limited on the type of exercise you undertake. Low-impact exercises such as walking and swimming can be particularly beneficial for people who are unable to undertake higher impact activities such as running. Exercise also produces endorphins which are known to help relieve pain and leave you feeling happier.
Oils
Essential oils can contain properties that help to reduce aches and pains. Some of the popular oils that are used to act as a natural painkillers are rosemary, lavender, and peppermint.
- Lavender oil is thought to help relieve pain naturally, aid sleep, and reduce anxiety.
- Peppermint oil is thought to have an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect and is often used by being diluted and rubbed into the area that feels achy or sore.
- Rosemary oil may help to treat headaches, muscle aches, and bone pain.
Herbs
As with essential oils, there are a plethora of pain relief herbs that you can add to your diet to help combat the aches and pains you experience. Here are some of the examples;
- Turmeric. Turmeric has been used in cooking and traditional medicine for thousands of years in Eastern Asia. Turmeric is thought to be an anti-inflammatory that will in turn help to relieve the pain you may experience.
- Ginger. Ginger has many positive health benefits from helping to relieve nausea to contributing to a healthy immune response. Importantly though for pain sufferers ginger is thought to contain anti-inflammatory properties. It is also thought that regular consumption of ginger may help to aid recovery and reduce inflammation due to exercise.
- Clove. Similarly to ginger and turmeric clove is thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect, which can help manage the symptoms of pain you may feel. Clove is also thought to have anti-oxidant, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties.
Hot and cold therapy
Soaking your body in warm water can alleviate many forms of muscle pain. You could run yourself a deep hot bath and add Epsom salts to help soothe your muscles. Other great hot water sources to help relieve aches and pains are hot tubs and hydrotherapy pools.
Conversely to hot water ice therapy can be a great way to help reduce pain and swelling because the cold constricts blood vessels and decreases the circulation to the area. Ice therapy can be applied by icing the affected area with ice packs or undertaking an iced bath.
Massage therapy
A good massage can help to promote blood flow, reduce tension and boost feelings of wellness. A massage can manipulate the soft tissue, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which when coupled with strengthening exercises can help to promote recovery. Massage alone is unlikely to solve all of your aches and pains but when complemented with other therapies and treatments it can have a real transformative effect on healthy physical health and wellbeing.
Collagen
Collagen is a supplement that can be taken in tablet form to complement your diet. You can also increase the amount of collagen you consume by eating foods that are rich in protein such as beef, chicken, and fish. When you are younger your body is rich in collagen but these stocks deplete as you age. Collagen is important not only for keeping your looking young but because it helps build joints, keep connective tissue strong, and supports healthy muscle growth. In turn, collagen can be a great supplement to help keep you pain-free.
Rest
If you have an ache or pain as a result of an injury then the best course of action may be to get ample rest or to at least rest the affected area. If you continue to push an injury you run the risk of making it worse and even causing greater long-term damage. For some, the idea of taking a step back and undergoing enforced rest may be a difficult adjustment. If that sounds familiar consider alternative exercises or activities you can do to keep active but not add pressure or strain to an injury. Swap your HIIT class for swimming or running for walking.
It is also important that you get adequate amounts of sleep. Sleep is the body’s way to recover and restore itself. During your hours of sleep, your body is working hard to heal itself so the more rest and sleep you can get the better your recovery will be.
Talk to someone
If you are experiencing ongoing or chronic pain it can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression, which in turn can make the pain feel worse. Before you know it you are falling into a downward spiral that is affecting your mental and physical health.
Living with pain can be hard and force limitations upon you you do not wish to consider. If you are finding living with pain difficult consider the benefits of talking to someone about it. It may be a friend or relative or professional. There are counselors who are specially trained to deal with clients who live with constant pain and will help to provide you with the techniques you need to help overcome your daily battles.
