Chronic Pain
Killer of personal peace and positive mood alike – if you have been suffering for more than three months and are not responding to any sort of treatment, you are said to have … dun dun dun… chronic pain. Maybe it’s an old injury, fibromyalgia or perhaps your dealing with something yet to be explained. If you want my advice, keep searching for the root cause and steer clear of prescription drugs (unless it’s completely life threatening). Why? Well, because drugs don’t fix anything! In fact, they create side effects that further complicate your daily experience of life which your doctor will (you guessed it) prescribe something for! That’s no way to live. On that note, I sincerely send you light and hope that you will find peace in your own body again. It’s my struggle too. Aside from getting a therapeutic massage by yours truly, here are a few things you can try that are affordable, easy to do and NATURAL!
7 Ways to Heal Chronic Pain
1. Exercise
“People who exercise and maintain a good aerobic condition will improve most pain conditions,” says Charles Kim, MD, assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine and anesthesiology and a certified medical acupuncturist at Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Medical Center.
Get out and walk for 30 minutes at least. Doing so will also release neurotransmitters that ease pain and boost your mood. Because being in pain makes us cranky!
2. Acupuncture
Did you know that in many communities, acupuncture businesses are opening up working on a sliding scale? Look into it, it’s truly affordable healthcare. Acupuncture may help with chronic pain, but it will surely help with the depression and lack of sleep that comes with suffering from chronic pain.
3. Turmeric Root
In one study, participants with osteoarthritis who took a concentrated form of curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) had minor signs or symptoms of the disease. At the end of 90 days, they had a 58 percent decrease in pain and stiffness and improved physical function and mobility for those suffering from chronic pain.
Other clinical studies have shown a 50-percent reduction in pain and stiffness, along with significantly reduced inflammation and swelling of the lower limbs. So, cook with it often and grab some turmeric supplements the next time your at the store. It is most effectively absorbed by the body when consumed with black pepper.
4. Heat
For lingering muscle spasms, heat is the way to go. Take a hot bath with Epsom salts to help the nervous system relax and reboot.
5. Resveratrol
Found in red wine, grapes and berries, resveratrol is known to have many beneficial effects including anti-cancer. It has been shown to significantly reduce chronic pain as well. But you can’t get enough of it through a glass of wine. You’ll need about 2,000 mg a day so grab this in supplement form.
6. Fish Oil
Fish oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and inflammation plays a large role in chronic pain. In one study, researchers instructed patients with neck or back pain to take 1200 milligrams a day of fish oil supplements with eicosapentaenoic and decosahexanoic acid. After 75 days on fish oil, more than half of the 125 patients who reported back pain said they had stopped their prescription painkillers. (Credit: Everyday Health).
7. Magnesium Malate
Approximately 80% of Americans are deficient in magnesium due to the SAD (standard American diet) we have grown accustomed to. Being deficient in this essential mineral can cause muscle spasms and cramps, headaches, fatigue, and depression. Make sure when getting a supplement that it is magnesium malate (malic acid) specifically. Prohealth.com recommends 125 mg of magnesium and 1200 mg of malic acid.
SAY WHAT?! Stopped painkillers, people! That’s a big deal!
There are some options for you outside of a doctor’s office. Read up on it, this is just the beginning. Chronic inflammation and dietary deficiencies may well be the underlying culprit as to why your experiencing chronic pain. Cut out inflammatory foods such as sugar and refined carbs. Eat lots of greens. Get on some supplements and do a full body cleanse. YOU HAVE THE POWER! Meditate on it.
