A lot of people ask, “is chronic pain a disability?” “What does treating chronic pain holistically mean?” “What are the Natural Treatments for chronic pain?” This article will try to provide answers to all these questions.
What is Chronic Pain?
Pain that persists for more than three months is considered chronic. The pain might be constant, or it can come and go at any given moment. Irregularities may occur everywhere in the body.
Chronic pain may make it difficult to go about your daily routine, including going to work, keeping up with friends and family, and taking care of yourself or others. It might worsen your discomfort by causing despair, worry, and difficulty sleeping. As a result, it’s tough to interrupt the cycle that’s created.
Even though chronic pain affects a big section of the population, therapy is not always implemented and/or appropriate. Clinically effective and cost-effective interdisciplinary pain care based on the biopsychosocial paradigm has not been widely accessible.
Holistic Treatment of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain affects 50 million people in the United States, with 20 million suffering from severe chronic pain. Significant increases in the likelihood of serious mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are associated with it.
According to scientific understanding, a body in chronic pain transmits stress signals to the brain continuously, resulting in a heightened awareness of the pain itself and the perceived degree of danger. It’s a vicious cycle that’s difficult to stop or maintain control of.
When a person is diagnosed with pain, the first line of therapy is often medicine to alleviate the discomfort using pain medication. However, although these treatments may be effective for some individuals, the adverse effects, which may range from nausea to cardiac issues, may exceed the benefits for others.
There are various choices available to individuals who are interested in exploring a holistic pain treatment approach, either on its own or in conjunction with conventional therapy, which is also referred to as a natural treatment for chronic pain. Let’s take a look at some of the more prevalent holistic tactics that are now accessible:
- Acupuncture
- Exercise
- Stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness and meditation training
- Aloe vera
- Chiropractic
- Massage
- Vitamin or herbal supplements
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a term used in Chinese medicine to describe the process of inserting very thin needles into certain points on the body. In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is supposed to control the flow of qi or life energy. Treatment and healing of pain can be accomplished by stimulating nerves and muscles in a way that Western practitioners believe is advantageous. Many practitioners are beginning to understand the potential benefits of acupuncture as it becomes more widely available.
Exercise
To improve your overall health and manage pain, exercise is one of the most important things you can do. You can always find a method to exercise, even if it’s simply a slight ankle movement or a squeeze of the hand. If you have trouble moving about, look for activities you can perform sitting or laying down if you have mobility issues. Always remember to begin modestly and gradually increase your speed. Exercising with a variety of different forms of movement may help persons who suffer from chronic pain. Consult your physician, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, or a personal trainer to determine the best course of action for you.
Stress-reduction techniques, like mindfulness and meditation training
Mindfulness and meditation activities, for example, may help to decrease muscle tension, which in turn can help to reduce pain levels in the body. It is possible to engage in meditation and mindfulness training in several methods, including via the use of breathing techniques, progressive relaxation, and guided imagery.
Aloe vera gel
An abundance of important nutrients and metabolic boosters may be found in the natural aloe vera gel’s more than 200 physiologically active elements. These include minerals such as calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, and zinc. Vitamins A, C, E, folic acid, B1, B2, B3, and B6 are among the 20 important amino acids included in this food. In this product, you can even get B12, a nutrient that’s generally found solely in animal meals.
Muscle and tendon discomfort may be alleviated by aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The gel’s anti-inflammatory components may alleviate pain when taken orally, but it is sometimes used topically in sports medicine to relax sore muscles.
When utilizing aloe vera to decrease inflammation, it’s crucial to remember that you should also change your diet. Aloe vera has a higher chance of functioning if you stop eating unhealthy foods.
Chiropractic Care
As a chiropractor, one of the primary goals is to correct the misalignment of the spine and neck to alleviate pain and facilitate the healing process. Chiropractors use a vast variety of chiropractic procedures, tactics, and products in their practice. Before beginning therapy, it is critical to select a reliable, skilled practitioner and fully understand the risks and benefits.
Massage
Numerous chronic pain syndromes have benefited from therapeutic massage. For example, massage may assist reduce the effects of stress and worry on a person’s body, which can worsen the pain. Swedish, deep tissue, sports, and Shiatsu are just a few of the many types of massages available.
Vitamins or Herbal Supplements
Pain-relieving vitamins, herbs, and plant-based remedies are available. These minerals may help relieve pain by improving overall health in certain cases. Supplements might provide instant relief by reducing inflammation or improving joint health in certain circumstances. Vitamin supplements include B vitamins, which may improve nerve health, and C and D vitamins, which may help bone health. Herbal treatments like turmeric and aloe vera are examples.
Addiction Treatment as Part of Treating Chronic Pain
One of the main issues with chronic pain is that the most common way to treat it involves highly addictive medications, which can be a reasonable option for some people but are very dangerous for people who struggle with substance use disorder.
Remember that no two individuals are alike when it comes to managing pain, regardless of the holistic approach. To learn more about treatment options available in southern California, contact The Right Time Recovery at 800-630-1218.
