Meet Our Physicians Banner Image

Home Remedies for Chronic Pain Management

Over a 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain and many find it impossible to manage without over the counter or doctor prescribed medications. While discussing treatments with your doctor is an important way to combat the pain, there are many home remedies that can be effective natural pain killers. Although chronic pain represents a variety of ailments, from back pain to a toothache, these home remedies may help you manage and cope with its different forms.

Ridding Yourself of Stress

Stress and other negative feelings have been noted to amplify chronic pain. By learning to control it you may be able to find relief. Mediation and deep breathing helps the body be put into a relaxed state because it loosens tension in the muscles by calming the mind. Focusing on breathing and ridding yourself of thoughts -primarily stressful ones- aids in helping sore muscles and helping the body feel more at ease.

Make Lifestyle Changes

Classic lifestyle changes such as exercising, eating healthy, and cutting back on bad habits can have a huge impact on your body in many ways including fighting off chronic pain. When you exercise, your body produces endorphins and hormones that change your body’s perception of pain and act as natural painkiller. Start by slowly exercising and building up your body’s pain endurance to safely make changes.

A well-balanced diet will also greatly benefit you, as many forms of chronic pain can be caused directly from the foods you eat. By eating healthy, it can aid your digestive system, reduce the risk of heart disease, and lower blood sugar.

Cutting back on bad habits like high alcohol consumption and smoking may also aid in chronic pain management. Alcohol consumption often leads to sleeping problems which can be a direct reason for chronic pain, so cutting back can improve your quality of life. Smoking worsens painful circulation and increases the chances of heart disease and cancer, by quitting, you have a much better chance against chronic pain and other illnesses.

Natural Supplements and Herbs

A number of natural supplements can act as chronic pain management relievers. Ask your doctor first before making them an alternative or addition to your medication:

Fish Oil: a supplement high in anti-inflammatory properties that have a direct correlation to pain. In one study, researchers gave 1200 milligrams of these pills each day to patients with chronic neck and back pain. By day 75, more than half of the 125 patients reported to have switched over to fish oil supplements.

Turmeric: a root that contains an antioxidant called curcumin that helps protect the body from molecules that damage cells and tissue. Turmeric has been used for many illnesses including ulcers, indigestion, and cancer.

Willow Bark: a bark that can come in the form of herbs or supplements and has been used for centuries to relieve inflammation. It contains the chemical salicin, which is similar to the main ingredient found aspirin that can be used for headaches, back pains, and many other conditions.

Cloves: an herb often found in meat and rice but can also be purchased in oil, powder, or capsule form. Cloves contain eugenol which is a natural pain reliever found in many over the counter pain rubs. It is used for a wide of variety of pains including nausea, toothaches, headaches, and arthritic inflammation.

Heat & Ice

For certain types of chronic pain, different methods of hot and cold treatments should be considered. For headaches, as well as strained muscles and tendons, placing an ice pack will temporarily relieve pain. If the pain comes from lingering spasms or arthritis apply heat to the affected area to relax the muscles or joints. Soaking in warm water can also aid in helping sore muscles and joints by relaxing and stretching them.

Going Outside

According to one study, out of 150 people with unexplained chronic pain, 93% were found to be deficient in vitamin D levels. Getting your daily dose of vitamin D from the sun by going outside for 10-15 minutes a day may help against pain.

Be Mindful of Your Pain

The best way to be mindful of your pain is by contacting your doctor first to learn its causes and treatment options. Home remedies should help as a way to alleviate some of the pain, but may not work for all specific types. However, changing your lifestyle habits and taking natural supplements can also be beneficial in other ways outside of chronic pain management and help your quality of life. Trying different remedies will also help you get a feel of what does and doesn’t work for your body.

CRPM also understands that there are unique levels and types of chronic pain that must be managed and treated differently in order bring about relief. By contacting us, we will recommend a variety of treatment options that can go right alongside your home remedy.