A person may experience pain in the body, and a variety of reasons generally causes it. If there is no medical condition behind the cause of pain, it can be fixed with some home remedies. It is important to know such remedies because you won’t take medicine every time you experience pain.
Taking too many painkillers can possibly affect cardiovascular health as it tends to increase blood pressure. Also, it may lead to kidney failure and damage to the liver. Excessively relying on painkillers may even impair proper brain functioning.
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Causes of Pain
There are many causes other than a medical condition that results in a sensation of pain in muscles and body. The most common reasons are linked with a stressful lifestyle and certain habits, including the following:
- Stress & anxiety
- Dehydration
- Sleep problems
- Alcoholism
- Certain medications
Managing a healthy lifestyle is as important as giving up bad routine habits such as unnecessarily taking medication and drugs. Many rehab centers provide naloxone treatment for life-threatening addiction of painkillers and heroin.
Knowing and identifying the core cause of pain might help in selecting the right remedy for it. Also, it might help in managing to cope with pain with some natural remedies.
Cold Compress
A very common yet effective way to get rid of pain is by giving it a cold compress. Cold therapy or a cold compress immediately reduces the intensity of pain. This happens because cold compress limits blood circulation in the affected area and hence limits inflammation and swelling in that particular area of pain.
It is very simple to apply a cold compress. All you need is an ice pack; apply it directly to the pain area for about 5-10 minutes. You may even repeat therapy till the intensity of pain declines to a minimum.
Willow Bark
The bark of the plant, white willow, contains salicin. Salicin is a chemical that is similar to aspirin and has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties like aspirin. It helps to relieve body and muscle aches. It can be used in numerous ways. You may chew a small piece of bark directly, or you may even use it in tea. Even now, you may find it in the form of a capsule nowadays.
However, it has certain side effects, such as it might upset your stomach if you are using it for the first time. Furthermore, it slows down kidney functioning and extends the bleeding time. Only adults may use it but in moderation. It helps to get relief from headaches, back and joints pain.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice with yellow color; it resembles ginger in appearance. For centuries turmeric is known and used as a powerful pain relief tool. Turmeric has curcumin in its composition. Curcumin is identified as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in nature. It is excessively used in many pain-relieving home remedies.
The Most recommended dose of turmeric to get relief from pain lies in between 400-600 mg. It might be taken twice and thrice a day based on the intensity of pain. However, it is important to note that the dose should not exceed above 2000 mg.
Cloves
Clove is another important spice that is used in cooking and is part of many delicious recipes. Clove is also known for its pain-relieving effects. Eugenol, an ingredient found in cloves’ composition, is mainly responsible for the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving actions. You may find it in the form of clove-based OTC rubs.
It is also available in the form of clove oil, which helps get temporary relief from tooth and gums ache. However, it is not an absolute cure and requires proper treatment. Apply clove oil with caution as it may worsen the pain and increase bleeding if not applied correctly.
Meditation
Stress and anxiety cause the brain to release stress-related hormones, increasing inflammation and pain in the body. Stress-related body pain can be treated or fixed with the help of meditation. Meditation in any terms such as yoga tends to release endorphins, a chemical that is a natural pain reliever.
Meditation soothes the mind, makes it calm and quiet. In addition to the mind, meditation has a soothing effect on the body. It has a greater influence over the joints and muscles around the joints.
Acupuncture
It is a traditional Chinese technique used to relieve pain, but it has gained enormous popularity nowadays. In this method, fine needles are inserted into special acupoints of the body that simultaneously relieves pain. It is also helpful for a peaceful mind and helps with a good mood.
Initially, experts might suggest two or three sessions a week. Over time with improvement and more relief in pain, the sessions might be reduced further. Acupuncture stimulates the release of a natural pain-relieving chemical in the brain called endorphins
Exercise
A regular habit of exercise helps in maintaining a healthy mind and body. It is advantageous in soothing chronic body aches and pain. Additionally, it helps the body in maintaining good posture and, in turn, gets a person relieved of pain associated with bad posture. Exercise also helps with the mobility of joints and muscles. It also tends to decrease the severity of body pain.
It is crucial to know your limitations and take advice from a doctor before beginning any exercise. Also, look for more low-impact yet effective exercises. Exercise is very useful in building stamina. There are countless benefits of exercise, making it worth adopting.
Take Away
To some point in life, everyone experiences pain in the body. However, it is a more serious issue for many and interrupts routine tasks. Though pain-relieving medications are available, they have many side effects. If the cause of pain is not a medical condition and it is mild in nature, then home remedies can prove helpful.
There are several spices and herbs which are helpful in decreasing pain intensity. Other than that, several techniques, including meditation, exercise, and acupuncture, can also help.