How to naturally relieve pain at home?
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We’ve all been there, sitting at home in pain, wondering what on Earth we can do to make it go away. Whatever your pain is, there’s probably a way to curb it and get you feeling 100% again. We are going to show you some of these methods and help you get back to fighting fit in no time! Read on to find out more.
Why choose natural remedies?
There are of course many medications you can buy at a pharmacy or get from your doctor to relieve pain. However, there are some issues with the regular or long-term use of painkillers. Studies have shown various side effects in the overuse of painkillers. There is also a serious issue that some medications are addictive, which can lead to even more long term issues. If there are natural ways to relieve pain, why choose anything else? But what kinds of natural painkillers are there?
Heat pads
A very simple and effective relief for various pains is heat pads. Debra Wilson from CPOE.org says that heat pads “alleviate the pain and stiffness of arthritis, help relieve muscle soreness after workouts, and reduce discomfort from menstrual cramps.” If you are taking lots of painkillers to try and cut out pain from any of these issues, consider trying a heating pad instead! Studies have shown prolonged warm exposure from heat pads can greatly reduce inflammation pain in muscles, at the same sort of levels as ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs. So give a heat pad a try, and be surprised at how much it can help your pain!
Essential oils
There are a few essential oils that have been shown to have various medicinal properties. You can pick them up at most health food stores and some bigger supermarkets. Some of the best are:
- Lavender oil
Drawn from the lavender plant, this essential oil is used by many for lots of reasons. One of which happens to be pain relief! Studies have shown lavender oil can reduce inflammation and give adequate relief from pain when applied topically to the skin. It should not be ingested, however. People also use it for relaxation, reduction of anxiety, and to aid sleep. What’s not to love?
- Eucalyptus oil
The Eucalyptus plant has been used for many years for various treatments. Recently, it has been used as a painkiller. Also, like lavender, it has been shown to have properties that are anti-inflammatory and aid in the reduction of swelling. Eucalyptus oil tends to be inhaled in a diffuser. One word of warning, though, it can cause asthma attacks in people who have asthma or other breathing issues. Always check for side effects before taking any remedy!
- Peppermint oil
Finally, peppermint oil. Maybe more associated with its nice smell than painkiller properties, but this product may actually be a viable form of pain relief. Peppermint oil applied to the forehead and temples has been shown to give relief from tension headaches. It has also been shown to be antimicrobial, another oil with multiple uses!
Ginger
Not just to be used in curries and smoothies, ginger may also be a great natural home remedy. Ginger shots containing at least 2 grams of ginger root have been shown to reduce pain in runners within just a matter of days! Add some to your orange juice in the morning, or take it as a shot, and see if your joints and cramps feel better after a week!
Turmeric
Another popular curry ingredient! Turmeric is a bright orange-colored root, similar in look to ginger. It has an active compound in it called Curcuma which has anti-inflammatory and long term pain-relieving qualities, proven in many studies. It is also often added to shots or smoothies, but you can purchase supplements in tablet form also.
Yoga and stretching
It might be the last thing you want to do, but believe us when we say yoga can work! Especially for joint pain, stiffness, and muscle aches. There are yoga programs specifically designed for certain body parts, for example, hip pain, back issues, or neck pain. Yoga is gentle and relaxing, and there are plenty of resources out there which you can try out for free at home, even at a very beginner level. If you have body aches, it is certainly worth trying.
There are many more herbs, foods, exercises, and methods for relieving pain at home naturally, but we think these are the best. Consider what type of pain you have and how you feel it would be best treated at home, without the use of modern medicines. Almost always lower risk than painkillers, these pain-relieving ideas are surely worth a try!