A person may have chronic pain but not do anything to alleviate it. They believe their only option is prescription painkillers. However, many other treatment options exist today, including those listed below.
Cannabinoids and Pain Relief
One in five Americans today deal with chronic pain. Medical and disability costs associated with this condition reach $560 billion each year. Patients with chronic pain may find the answer to their problem is found in nature.
Cannabinoids, such as those found in this pain balm, interact with endocannabinoid receptors in the human body to provide pain relief. In a study of 984 patients who suffered from chronic pain, two-thirds of the participants reported they obtain relief from their pain with the use of cannabinoids.
As many people become addicted to opioids after being prescribed them by a doctor, alternatives are needed. Cannabinoids appear to be a safe alternative that many people use with great success.
Stress-Reduction Techniques
When a person is continuously under stress, they may have chronic pain. If they can find something to help them manage this stress, the pain may lessen or disappear completely. What are some techniques a person might use to bring their stress under control?
Some people find music or going for a walk helps relieve stress. Other people turn to foursquare breathing. This involves taking a deep breath so the stomach expands like a balloon. Inhale, counting to four while doing so. Hold this breath for a count of four, and then exhale, counting to four while doing so. Take a break for four seconds before repeating the process. Repeat this cycle ten times.
Exercise and Chronic Pain
A person who is in pain may not feel like exercising. However, doing so often relieves the pain. When a person exercises, they build muscle strength, which may help to ease the pain.
People who exercise find they are less sensitive to pain and they experience less fatigue. Inflammation, a common cause of chronic pain, decreases when a person engages in physical activity regularly, and exercise may help those who suffer from conditions such as fibromyalgia.
Work with a medical professional to learn which activities might help. Yoga and walks around the neighborhood are two ways a person may get more exercise and reduce their chronic pain.
Acupuncture as a Means of Treating Chronic Pain
Acupuncture helps individuals struggling with chronic pain. In a study, it was found that individuals who received acupuncture for chronic pain had a 50 percent positive response rate.
Of those who received sham acupuncture, 42.5 percent have a positive response rate. Only 30 percent of those patients suffering from chronic pain had a positive response rate after receiving no acupuncture. This shows acupuncture is of benefit to anyone with this type of medical issue.
In addition, acupuncture helps many other medical conditions. However, researchers still don’t understand how or why it works. They just know it does for many people.
Injections for Pain Relief
Doctors may recommend injections for those who struggle with chronic pain. The doctor determines which type of injection will provide the desired relief.
For some patients, minimally invasive nerve blocks may be enough. Other patients need more invasive treatments, such as lumbar injections. Only a doctor can determine which injection is right for an individual patient.
When a person suffers from chronic pain, their quality of life decreases. Don’t allow this to happen. Work with a doctor to find a treatment plan that reduces or eliminates the pain. The five alternative treatments mentioned above provide a good starting point.
