Top Ten Ways to Control Pain Without Drugs

No one wants to live with pain from injury or from chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or back pain, yet the Institute of Medicine estimates 116 million adults suffer chronic pain. An injury that causes chronic pain can be hard to live with, but it's even harder to be dependent on painkillers to get through your day.

Prescription pain pills are not only addictive and a leading cause of overdoses, they are expensive and getting harder to obtain. As a result, many people who have developed opioid addictions are turning to heroin. Before you accept a prescription from your doctor, consider using some of these tried and true natural remedies:

1) Diet: add foods with anti-inflammatory properties, like tumeric, fish oil, olives and olive oil, tart cherries, ginger, red peppers.

2) Alternating heat and cold: use compresses on sore or spasming muscles.

3) Stress reduction: use yoga, tai chi, meditation or similar techniques to gently exercise your body and control pain.

4) Massage: massage therapists take different techniques to treating different conditions or injuries, so ask around to find one who can help you.

 5) Soaking: a hot bath is a good start, but you can add mineral salts (kelp or red seaweed is ideal) and essential oils (like rosemary or holy basil) to amplify the healing effects.

6) Topical herbs: depending on your condition, you might find relief from arnica or capsaicin cream.

7) Physical and occupational therapy: regular guided therapy can relieve pain associated with a sports injury and restore strength and range of motion.

8) Chiropractic care: this method of treatment can be helpful after a traumatic accident or sports injury.

9) Supplements: glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin, white willow bark, devil's claw or boswellia can be used as directed by a natural health care practitioner.

10) Alternative medicine: patients report results from techniques including biofeedback, hypnosis, acupuncture, acupressure and relaxation techniques. If you would like to learn more about the prescription painkiller to heroin connection, sign up for our FREE webinar on this subject or one of our regional sessions to learn more about this connection.