The cost of dealing with chronic pain can go further than just impairing your physical and mental health. The steep costs of pain medications can be overwhelming for many people, making it tough to get the relief that they are looking for.
With over 20 million Americans from Seattle to Boston dealing with the discomfort of regular pain, it’s no wonder that many patients are seeking alternative treatments.
The good news is that for many people there are non-prescription ways to get a break from their chronic pain. Depending on where your pain originates, there may be alternative treatments that don’t carry the cost or the side effects of a powerful narcotic pain killer.
Working with your doctor and a pain management specialist like Seattle Pain Relief can help you come up with a plan to make your life more comfortable. If you are looking for ways to cope with your pain but want to avoid the high costs and side effects of pharmaceutical medications there are a few things that you can try.
Reduce Your Stress
Stress can have a powerful impact on all of the systems in your body. When your body or mind is under stress it can be even tougher to manage your pain. With stress comes a natural tendency for your muscles to tighten up, which can make your pain more intense. It’s important to identify the areas in your life that cause you the most outside stress and try to make changes where you can.
Exercise
Most people who are dealing with the daily discomfort of chronic pain can’t imagine getting out and exercising. The fact is that just adopting a regular routine of 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day can have a huge impact on your pain levels.
Regular exercise can help you to loosen tight muscles and lubricate your joints and tendons. It can also lift your mood as exercise has been shown to increase your endorphin levels.
Change Your Diet
There are many foods that can help to ease your pain. Most chronic pain comes as a result of inflammation. Adopting a diet that is high in anti-inflammatory foods like berries, fish, and spices like ginger and turmeric can help to relieve some of your regular pain.
Many people who suffer from chronic pain end up adopting a fairly sedentary lifestyle that can result in unwanted weight gain. Carrying extra weight on your body can intensify your pain. Sticking to a lower fat, higher fiber whole foods diet can help you to manage your pain more effectively.
Meditation
The mind-body connection is more powerful than it is often given credit for. By practicing regular breathing and relaxation techniques through daily meditation, you can learn to manage your pain and reduce your stress levels.
Conclusion
Living with chronic pain feels like being in a prison. To break out of the cycle of heavy narcotic medications with many harmful side effects, you can try these alternative remedies to help you cope. Talk to your doctor or pain management specialist today about the benefits of these more natural and affordable ways to live a more pain-free life.