Natural Pain Relief Methods You Can Try Instead of Opioids

If you’re one of the millions of people who experience pain on a regular basis, you may be considering taking opioids to find relief.

But while prescription opioids can be helpful for managing pain, they come with serious risks and side effects. Substance abuse is one of the serious side effects that resulted in the opioid epidemic in America today.

If you are not comfortable in taking medications like opioids yet, you may be looking for pain relief alternatives that are natural. Fortunately, there are many different ways to manage pain naturally without resorting to opioids immediately.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most effective natural pain relief methods. Keep reading to learn more.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is not only a relaxing experience, but it’s also an effective way to manage pain. When you get a massage, pressure and strokes are applied to your body to help improve circulation and relieve tension. This can be helpful for relieving pain in the muscles and joints.

You can combine massage therapy with natural essential oils like lavender and eucalyptus to further enhance the relaxation and pain relief benefits.

Physical Therapy

When you think of physical therapy, you may think of it only as a way to recover from an injury. But physical therapy can also be used as a pain management method.

Physical therapists use exercises and stretches to help improve range of motion and flexibility while also reducing pain. If you have chronic pain, working with a physical therapist can help you find relief.

Ice and Heat Therapy

One of the oldest and most effective methods of pain relief is ice and heat therapy. When used correctly, both of these therapies can provide significant relief from pain.

Ice therapy is most often used to manage acute pain, such as after an injury. Applying ice to the area for about 15-20 minutes can help reduce inflammation and also numb the area to provide pain relief.

Heat therapy is often used for muscle pain and stiffness. When you have muscle pain all over your body, you can try soaking in a hot bath with added Epsom salts. This can help relax the muscles and provide pain relief.

Yoga

Yoga is an ancient practice that combines physical and mental exercises. When you do yoga, you will move your body into different positions while also focusing on your breath.

Yoga has been shown for many years to be a natural method for managing pain. There have also been various studies that support the effectiveness of yoga for pain relief.

Meditation

Meditation is another effective way to manage pain naturally. When you meditate, you focus on your breath and clear your mind of all other thoughts. This can help you relax both your body and mind, which can lead to reduced pain.

Restful Sleep

A lot of people don’t manage to get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Not getting enough sleep can lead to fatigue and chronic pain.

If you’re struggling with pain, make sure to get enough restful sleep. This means going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, avoiding caffeine and electronics before bed, and using relaxation techniques before bed.

Spending Time Outdoors

When you’re in pain, you want to counter this by boosting your mood. A great way to naturally uplift your mood without medication is to spend time outdoors.

Many studies suggest that spending time in nature or near a body of water can improve your mood and make you happier. A bonus? Spending your time in nature is a free and natural way to manage pain.

Laughter

When you hear the saying, “laughter is the best medicine”, there’s actually some truth to that. Laughter can trigger the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers in the body.

So next time you’re in pain, try to watch a funny movie or TV show, read a humorous book, or spend time with friends who make you laugh. By laughing, you can help reduce your pain naturally.

Eating Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Not a lot of people are aware that there are foods that cause inflammation in the body. Some examples include processed foods, sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol. When you eat too much of these foods in your diet, it can increase your pain.

For instance, drinking alcohol has been shown to increase inflammation in the body. This can result in joint pain after drinking. So if you’re struggling with pain, it’s best to limit your alcohol intake or avoid it altogether.

Instead, focus on eating anti-inflammatory foods, such as Omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric, ginger, berries, and green leafy vegetables. By eating more anti-inflammatory foods, you can help reduce inflammation and avoid pain.

There are many natural ways to manage pain without medication. These are just a few of the most effective but natural methods.

If you’re struggling with pain, be sure to try out some of these methods and see if they work for you before going to the opioid route.

If you are struggling with substance abuse, help is available.

Contact 24 Hour On Call Physical Rehab Center today.