4 Surprising Natural Painkillers
In this article, you’ll learn and discover 4 surprising natural painkillers you can use to treat pain.
Pain in some form is one of the most common problems faced by millions of people. Many of these suffer from chronic pain that stays with them all the time. For these people, in particular, traditional pain medication is essential, but it can also have its side effects. Therefore, if you are looking for alternatives to the traditional pain relief, then here are some of the options you can choose.
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Side-Effects of Pain Medication
Most doctors and medical professionals are geared to prescribing traditional pain relief to their patients. While these can be great at reducing pain and inflammation, an increasing number of people are developing problems with them. One of the most common problems is addiction, especially for certain medicines. There are also many teenagers that have become addicted to painkillers, and this trend is causing concern for many medical professionals. Other issues concern side effects such as gastrointestinal problems that can damage the stomach and bowel.
Endorphins
The body releases endorphins naturally, and they can be as effective as traditional medication if used in the right way. One of the best ways to release them is through exercise. For those people that are in severe pain, exercise can be difficult, but even small amounts can have an effect, and enable you to do more as time goes on. Endorphins can also help to relieve anxiety and depression which is another common problem for pain suffers.
Chocolate
There aren’t many people that will refuse chocolate, but it can be used for more than comfort! Studies have shown that eating chocolate can reduce the sensation of pain. It can also be effective if you are baking with chocolate, as the smell alone is thought to have a similar influence.
TENS Machines
TENS machines have been around for a long time, and many people find them to be an effective way to reduce the sensation of pain. It works by placing electrode pads on the area of the body near where the pain is located. You then pass an electrical current across the area, and this blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain. There are downsides. For example, you will need to replace the batteries often if you use them a lot, and it can be difficult to wear under clothes.
Warm Up Your Joints
Applying heat to joints that are inflamed and painful can be a good way to relieve some of the pain. The heat not only helps to increase blood flow to the area but also blocks some of the pain signals from getting to the brain. You can use a hot water bottle or a gel-filled pad that can be warmed up in the microwave. You can also get heat pads that you can stick to your clothes, so you can still move around.
These are just a few of the natural alternatives to pain medication that can help you limit your dependence on painkillers which can become addictive. As always, you should consult your doctor before changing your medication.
