5 non-invasive pain relief techniques that really work
Sometimes pain has a purpose — it can alert us that we’ve sprained an ankle, for example. But for many people, pain can linger for weeks or even months, causing needless suffering and interfering with quality of life.
If your pain has overstayed its welcome, you should know that you have more treatment options to address this. However, here we’ve listed eight techniques to control and reduce your pain that don’t require an invasive procedure — or even taking a pill.
- Cold and heat. These two tried-and-true methods are still the cornerstone of relieving pain for certain kinds of injuries. If a homemade hot or cold pack doesn’t do the trick, try asking a physical therapist or chiropractor for their versions of these treatments, which can penetrate deeper into the muscle and tissue.
- Exercise. Physical activity plays a crucial role in interrupting the “vicious cycle” of pain and reduced mobility found in some chronic conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. Try gentle aerobic activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling.
- Controlling your mind-body techniques. These techniques, which include extroverting your attention by focusing on the physical environment around you, help you restore a sense of control over your body and turn down the sources of stress, which can worsen chronic muscle tension and pain.
- Music therapy. Studies have shown that music can help relieve pain after surgery and childbirth. Classical music has proven to work especially well, but there’s no harm in trying your favorite genre — listening to any kind of music can uplift you from pain or discomfort.
- Therapeutic massage. Not just an indulgence, massage can help to ease pain by working tension out of muscles and joints, relieving stress and anxiety, and possibly helping to distract you from pain by introducing a competing sensation that can override pain signals.
Contact Lawrence health Wellness Clinic at 519-746-4144 for an exam and assessment of any pain symptoms you may be experiencing to help you get on the road to a happier and healthy life.