Unexpected Ways to Manage Pain

Most of us, at some point, have to live with pain. It might be a recurring headache that keeps coming back, a toothache that we have to cope with until we can get to the dentist, the pain that comes with a healing wound or injury, or it might be chronic pain that we’ll never fully be without. Often, our pain can be managed with medication, but this isn’t always possible or effective. Sometimes, you need something extra to get through the day. 

Fortunately, medication isn’t the only way to reduce pain. There are plenty of other pain management techniques that you can either use instead of medication or to complement and support medical treatment. Some of them, like using heat packs and hot water bottles, are common and well-known. While these are effective, there are some lesser-known pain management techniques that you might want to try too. 

Try Herbal Remedies

Medicine has evolved a lot over the years, but some more traditional herbal remedies are still effective for treating pain and are still widely used around the world. Lavender can help you to sleep, choose your first dab rig, and you might find pain subsides and that you are able to relax, and clove oil can reduce inflammation.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Well, maybe not the best medicine, but laughing can certainly help to reduce your pain and make you feel better. Laughing releases endorphins in your brain. These can help to distract you from pain, but also to reduce inflammation and stress on your body. Spend time with people that make you laugh, watching funny films, and otherwise enjoying yourself, and your pain might be easier to bear. 

Find Ways to Reduce Your Stress Levels

When we’re stressed out, everything seems worse, pain included. But stress can also have a physical effect on your body, causing or worsening pain. Reducing your stress levels can lessen your pain and help you to manage it. 

Look at things that are stressing you out. Are you taking too much on at work? Committing too much of your free time to help others? Are you putting too much pressure on yourself? Do you ever give yourself time to rest and relax? 

Make Changes to Your Diet

A healthy diet filled with vitamins and minerals can help your body to respond to pain better, as well as boosting your immune system and reducing the risks of other problems. Eating more ginger, garlic, turmeric, and cinnamon can help to reduce inflammation, giving you a greater control over your pain levels. 

Distract Yourself

Don’t underestimate the power of distraction. When we’re in pain, it’s all that we can think about, and so it gets worse. If you can manage to stop thinking about it, even for a short time, you might find that your pain lessens. Try listening to music, going for a walk, and talking to friends to distract yourself.

Swear

Studies show that swearing out loud can help us to deal with pain and even raise our pain threshold. Find a quiet space and swear aloud when it starts to get too much.