Put Your Prescription Cocktail To The Side With These Chronic Pain Alternatives
As many as 20.4% of American adults now fall into the chronic pain category, with 8% of those experiencing high-impact issues. Sadly, if you’re one of the 20.4%, your life is likely a struggle. Chronic pain makes everything from getting out of bed to completing daily tasks difficult. As such, many sufferers rely on a cocktail of drugs such as ibuprofen or stronger to meet even basic needs.
The trouble is that, in most instances, pain prescriptions like these aren’t intended for long-term use, and can actually cause significant damage when taken for extended periods. If you rely on pain pills right now, then you’re likely looking for long-term relief without the problems attached.
Admittedly, this isn’t an easy goal, hence why many people in your position choose to continue with even potentially harmful drugs. But, we’ve got some pointers that could kill the pain, while still allowing you to put the cocktail aside at last.
Find natural medication replacements
This may seem like an obvious point, but natural alternatives to your current medications are always worth pursuing. Perhaps the most notable option here is cannabis, especially when used in topical CBD treatments that you can apply straight to the source of pain. These are available from any cannabis dispensary and are fantastic for treating issues head-on without all the nasty stuff. Equally, things like essential oils and even certain foods such as turmeric could make a difference. All without the chemical build-up that your cocktail is inevitably causing right now.
Make meditation a regular part of your day
Stress can make your body more receptive to pain, meaning that if you’re tense and worried, your body’s going to hurt more. That’s why you may also want to consider calming habits such as meditation and deep breathing. By taking as little as ten minutes out each morning for these pursuits, you may find that you’re able to calm your mind, untense your body, and thus enjoy much lower pain levels throughout the day.
Move in any way you can
We understand that moving will be the last thing you want to do when experiencing a flare-up, but pushing through offers natural pain relief of its own. We aren’t saying that you need to set up a home gym, but the endorphins released from even gentle exercise like yoga can go a long way towards blocking pain signals. And, that’s before you even consider that exercise brings health benefits in the long-term, rather than posing risks after extended use. Hard as it might be, then, pushing yourself to gentle movement even when it seems impossible could be the way to get moving at last.
Fighting chronic pain naturally isn’t always easy, and there may be days when flare-ups get so bad that you still resort to heavier pain medications. Don’t beat yourself up about that, but remember to return to these natural methods afterward. Over time, you might just find that you can put that pain cocktail to the side for good.