Chronic pain impacts around one in five individuals in the U.S., making it the leading cause of disability and often limiting social activity. Pain is classified as chronic when it persists beyond six months and is frequently linked to underlying conditions like arthritis or previous injuries.
While medical treatments are widely available, many individuals with mild to moderate pain seek natural methods for relief. Today, we’ll explore some of these natural remedies and their potential to ease chronic pain effectively.
Pause for a Stretching Break
Chronic pain can stem from past injuries, poor posture, or prolonged periods of sitting. Incorporating stretching exercises into your routine helps counteract these issues. They gently lengthen the soft tissues surrounding your joints. This reduces the risk of pain and injury. Regular stretching also helps keep muscles flexible and resilient.
Be sure to stretch all major muscle groups a few times each week, targeting areas from your neck to your lower legs. Practices like yoga and tai chi include beneficial stretching elements, but you can also seek personalized advice from a doctor or physical therapist to find stretches suited to your specific discomfort. When starting, take it slow and avoid bouncing, as that could strain the muscles further.
CBD Oil
CBD oil, extracted from the cannabis plant, is widely used to address issues like pain, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Unlike THC oil, which is another cannabinoid found in cannabis known for its psychoactive “high,” CBD oil does not cause this effect.
It works by engaging with the brain’s endocannabinoid receptors, which handle signals triggering cellular responses like pain. By blocking these signals, CBD oil delivers anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits. Other options like CBD pain relief cream are also available for targeted pain relief.
Chiropractic Therapy
People who rely on their chiropractor often do so with unwavering confidence in the results. This hands-on approach focuses on spinal manipulation, and occasionally addresses other areas of the body, to improve physical function, enhance range of motion, and correct alignment.
Chiropractors believe that correcting spinal alignment reduces pressure on the central nervous system, boosting the body’s ability to heal itself and alleviating chronic pain as a result. While its effectiveness is best supported for musculoskeletal issues like:
- Low back pain
- Sciatica
- Migraines
- Headaches
- Neck pain
All this may also offer benefits for individuals with conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or osteoarthritis-related hip and back pain. However, the technique is not recommended for individuals with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Meditation
Meditation is a powerful tool for managing pain effectively. While our natural reaction might be to resist the pain, this approach often intensifies discomfort. By practicing meditation, individuals can learn to acknowledge and accept their pain, ultimately reducing how intense it feels over time.
Research shows that regular meditation positively alters brain activity in areas responsible for processing pain, proving its tangible effects. Beyond reducing physical discomfort, meditation also helps alleviate depression and anxiety, two conditions frequently linked to chronic pain, making it an essential part of holistic pain management.
Exercise
Engaging in physical activity may feel daunting when dealing with chronic pain, but it’s essential for maintaining optimal body function.
Regular movement helps strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce inflammation, which together can significantly alleviate and manage pain.
Gentle exercises like yoga, tai chi, walking, and stretching are excellent options to enhance mobility and support your overall well-being. Beyond physical benefits, exercise triggers the release of endorphins, natural mood elevators, making it particularly valuable, as chronic pain is often closely linked to depression. Prioritizing movement, even in small steps, can contribute to both physical and emotional relief over time.
Endnote
Natural remedies often need time to show results. Many people stop using them too soon, expecting instant relief. To see their full benefits, it’s important to stick with any new treatment for at least six to eight weeks.