4 Alternatives to Medication for Chronic Pain

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With the amazing innovations that modern medicine provides to us, it is incredibly easy and attainable to live the healthy life we’ve always dreamed of. We have more cures for thousands of ailments like chronic pain than we’ve ever had in history.

It’s now possible to be treated for severe chronic conditions without ever having to swallow pills. All you have to do is research your symptoms online, speak to your doctor for a diagnosis, and discuss what treatment options will be best for your condition.

If you are suffering from a chronic condition and would prefer to try a solution other than traditional medication, here are 4 natural alternatives to deal with your pain once you identify your condition. These resources might be exactly what you need to spark a positive change in your life.

1) Consider Visiting a Chiropractor

Many people are suspicious of chiropractors, and it’s understandable: how can cracking a few bones help anything when you can pop your own neck every day? However, this practice can dramatically reduce pain in the neck, back, and joints. It is a remedy for headaches and other chronic pains.

The idea behind the practice is to get the spine and bones in proper alignment. This is so that the body can heal muscles that are crying out in pain from being so out of alignment. To find a trustworthy chiropractor in your area, simply look up “chiropractic care in Bellevue” or whatever city you’re nearest to. Research the top 5 results and call for a consultation – choose based on customer reviews and their demeanor.

2) Exercising Moderately

Assuming you’re not in so much pain that you can’t walk, exercise is proven to reduce those irritating aches and pains in your joints that keep you up at night. An increase in heart rate and blood flow can promote healing in your body.

Exercise also releases pleasure chemicals in your brain that can boost your mood. If you already have diagnosed health conditions, check with your doctor before jumping into an exercise regiment.

And make sure that you start your exercise by warming up by implementing a regular stretching routine.  This increases your flexibility, and increases range of motion through your joints and increases blood flow to your muscles. Stretching also warms up your muscles and reduces your recovery times and “training pain” or soreness after physical activity.

3) Look into Taking Vitamins or Supplements

Most people are not getting the recommended amounts of vitamins they need to be healthy because of diet and lack of motility. Considering most people work desk jobs indoors, we are really lacking in natural vitamins that promote health and happiness, like Vitamin D.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps your body fight off infection. Researchers say vitamin E is one of the most effective nutrients for your immune function. That’s because it helps keep your T-cells working at peak performance.

There is evidence that certain vitamins can help with chronic pain. Before asking your doctor for medication for chronic pain, consider getting blood work done to see if you’re deficient in any important vitamins and try replenishing those first, with a doctor’s directive.

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If lower back pain is your primary concern, adding vitamin B to your diet may be helpful. In fact, taking vitamin B supplements can provide almost immediate relief of your symptoms on a temporary basis. A combination of B1, B6, and B12 appear to be the most effective. High doses of vitamin B do not have negative side effects like some medications.

4) Go to Therapy

This might seem counter-intuitive – why would you go somewhere to talk about your mind, when your pain is physical?

There’s actually evidence that supports talk therapy as a treatment for physical pain: moderate depression or anxiety can contribute to chronic pain. Pain can become a physical manifestation of internal turmoil. Depression can actually even lower your tolerance for pain. If you believe this may be something you’re experiencing, consider trying therapy before trying medication for chronic pain.

Bottom Line

There are, of course, real and tangible ailments that cause unbearable pain, which must be treated with medication. However, take a moment to reflect on your life and ask yourself if you’re treating your body and brain right.

Are you:

  • Eating well?
  • Sleeping?
  • Moving around?
  • Stimulating your brain?
  • Going outside?

If you don’t attend to your car’s check-engine light, it won’t keep working for very long; the same goes for your body. Try taking these basic steps to care for yourself. This may change your life!

Author
Lonny C. Skjervheim, DC,CCSP,CSCS,CCEP

Dr. Lonny is a long-time Bellevue chiropractor who serves Bellevue and the surrounding communities in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Lonny uses chiropractic care to improve the health and wellness in all areas of patient’s lives, whether they are having problems with back pain or neck pain, or just want to start feeling better when they wake up in the morning. Dr. Skjervheim takes a “whole person” approach in chiropractic care, which means looking for the underlying causes of disease, discomfort, and pain, as opposed to just treating the symptoms.

2 Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. Easing pain without dangerous prescription meds - Just Naturally Healthy
  2. Treating Pain at the Source - Alternative Medicine Magazine

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