Struggling with pain throughout the day can become completely unbearable. However, becoming addicted to pain medication can create a number of problems for you and your family. Therefore, if you are dealing with pain on a regular basis it may be appropriate for you to consider alternatives to pain medications that can be addictive. It can certainly protect you and your family in the end.
One option that you have is acupuncture. Now, there was a time when this may have been seen as odd but it is actually growing rather quickly when it comes to the management of pain. It has been found to be effective for pain related to a number of different causes as well. This includes sports injuries and even arthritis and back injuries. Professionals are not really sure why it works and some people believe that it will release pain blocking chemicals in the body. Others think that it can actually block pain signals from even being sent from your nerves.
Supplements and vitamins have been found to be effective when it comes to specific types of pain. When the pain is related to swelling then you may want to consider fish oil. Those individuals that are dealing with pain related to arthritis may find relief from a topical treatment made from chili peppers. Individuals suffering from diabetic nerve pain have also reported that this topical treatment has been effective.
Kratom as an Alternative Natural Pain Supplement
Another popular supplement making waves, is a product known as Mitragyna speciose (aka. Kratom). Kratom works similar to synthetic pain-killers however, it is all-natural. Kratom works by targeting the opiate receptors in the brain. This supplement has not been approved by the FDA and has not been tested on humans however it has been around for a long time as a natural medicine in South-East Asia. Kratom is certainly becoming a popular alternative natural pain medication. Recently, many online kratom vendors how made appearances within the USA.
What about seeing a therapist? There are a lot of people that feel like they will be labeled if they see a therapist. But, what must be realized is that pain and depression often go together. By working with a therapist, through the depression, an individual’s threshold for pain can be increased. Coping skills can greatly decrease depression and pain. While this may not be the only option for pain management, it can play a very important role. Using this as a secondary treatment can be very effective.
Relaxation Techniques
Learning effective relaxation techniques have been found to be helpful when it comes to pain management. When individuals learn how to relax they can release tension in the body and decrease pain. You may find that as you go through relaxation training you may learn how to focus on your breathing. Focusing on something other than the pain is extremely beneficial when it comes to pain and reducing stress. Individuals that find this helpful can even consider guided imagery as a way to focus their thoughts on a specific image.
Alternative Medications
Individuals may still want to consider pain management in the form of a pill. If you would like to supplement your treatment with medications then you can always consider nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These will often be a little more powerful than over the counter medications but they are not going to be addictive. Some of these may include naproxen and ibuprofen. It is important to understand that these can have negative side effects as you become older. If these are taken regularly they can cause complications with your kidneys or even ulcers.
Anti-depressants will help with skeletal or muscular pain. There are even anti-depressants such as Cymbalta that have been approved for fibromyalgia. When this is combined with therapy for depression and pain the effects can be very beneficial. This medication can also decrease anxiety and help individuals sleep if they are suffering from a great deal of pain at night.
Many individuals will find some relief from topical treatments and creams. These could include lidocaine and capsicin. While you may find that these are helpful from time to time you should know that there are some negative drawbacks to this option. For example, they will only be effective from one specific part of the body rather than the entire body.
Radiofrequency Injections & Neurostimulators
If you are in need of treatment for pain related to the entire body then you might want to talk to your doctor about injections. Pain suffers may not realize that there are a number of different injections that can be received. These may include nerve, trigger point, or even radiofrequency injections. When these are given they can help with localized or even regional pain. Steroids, or other types of medications, will be injected into the body when these shots are given. That is why the person will have positive effects and feel better.
Another treatment that has been approved by the FDA is neurostimulators. This treatment involves implanting electrodes that have been found to be effective by interrupting the signals that are sent from the nerves. While this can be helpful for many individuals, you should know that it will not correct the cause of the pain. Rather, it is only going to mask the pain
Finally, it can be very effective to try exercise and physical therapy. There has been a great deal of research to show that gentle exercises will increase the mobility of an individual and help to decrease pain. When people become more flexible pain may be lessened.
Tai Chi and yoga has been studied and has shown positive results related to back pain and even arthritis.
In the end, what works for one individual may not work for someone else. It is worth trying these alternatives to avoid becoming addicted to pain medications. You may find great relief and protect yourself and your family.
