Natural Pain Relief?

[shadowicewolf]

Does anyone know how to get rid of pain without taking something for it (for example: NSAIDS or any other type of pain relieving medication)? I know that heating pads can help. Any other ideas?

[Adalaide]

I use three forms of natural pain relief. With my CRPS I've had to get creative because I hate the opiates I'm on and take them as little as possible. The first, as you mentioned is heating pads. For people capable of using them, ice is also a possibility. I unfortunately can't use ice. The second thing I use us essential oils. For me, ylang ylang and frankincense work, although other people may find other things work for them. The third (warning, not PG) is orgasm and/or sex. There really isn't anything like it for immediate, effective, and lasting pain relief. Bonus, it's also more fun than heating pads or essential oils besides being immediate.

 

Feel better!

[SMRI]

Where is the pain and what is the cause. If you sprained your ankle, for example, heat can make it worse, where ice will make it better.

[LauraTX]

For chronic pain, the mind over matter thing can help, it is hard to do and of course doesn't work 100%, but there are actually counselors who specialize in helping people with chronic pain and illness, so you may want to check one of them out.

[kareng]

I think it depends on the pain - what is causing it? Is it chronic? Where the location is? etc

 

There are different kinds of "shots" & nerve blocks that a pain management doctor can administer.  Some people find that, for certain kinds of pain, acupunture or acupressure helps.  Botox is supposed to help with migraines. Marijuana, in pill form, is supposed to work better than smoking it and isn't as hard on the lungs.

 

If you are just talking about an occasional pulled muscle or headache, I wouldn't see any reason not to use acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen.  The issues are with continued use of them. 

[1desperateladysaved]

. I use ice, heat and essential oils as my first line of defense for many ailments.    Peppermint essential oil can numb the pain of a toothache or mouth pain.  For tummy cramps I like to rub in essential oil and use a hot water bottle.  If you have plantar fasheitis (pain in your heal), I think mild exercise and then 20 minutes of icing it really helps.  Also I like to ice right away on whatever hurts in the morning and it helps to keep it at bay all day.  When needed, I keep frozen plastic ice blocks in an insulated bags near the bed.   The essential oils are a whole world of things to learn I have found them effective. 

 

Herbs is another branch of natural medicines that one could study out.  White willow (the herb that is used to make asprin is a natural pain reducer. Once I burned my husband's leg using a mustard plaster on it without oil on the skin!  These things are natural, but I found out they can be really powerful also.

[shadowicewolf]

I am writing on the behalf of someone i care about that has really bad back pain as a result of an injury many years ago.

 

Can you tell me some more about the essential oils?

[GottaSki]

I use ice and soaks in epsom salt.

 

What part of the back?  upper/neck, Mid Back, Low Back?

[nvsmom]

I would advise physio for the back pain.  Treating the problem will help more in the long run. 

 

I had back pain for years and was a pro at ignoring the pain.  I let it go too long though and now I have paralysis down one leg and walk a bit funny.  Best to get it fixed up.  

 

In the meantime, I had a great accupuncturist who, along with resitsance pressure (can't remember what it was called) could really help with back pains and spasms.  I used to leave his office standing almost straight.  

[LauraTX]

Another thing I have done, since I have joint pain and muscle spasms with my lupus, is osteopathic manipulative therapy.  They don't do anything crazy with me, but they basically realign my stuff up since it seems to go out of place all wonky all the time.  I understand the whole not wanting to take pain meds thing.   Since I have a chronic pain condition but can still function, I don't take pain meds unless there is something acute going on.  I am all for trying alternative remedies first, especially when it isn't something that will heal up soon.  

 

I have thought about trying the essential oils thing myself.  I just haven't made the step to find someone to introduce it to me, I am very hesitant to go to the natural medicine type of people.  

[1desperateladysaved]

I have an essential oil reference book.  The title is Reference Guide For Essential Oils it is compiled by Connie and Alan Higley.  In this book one can look up back pain.  There are specific recommendations for various back ailments.  The main oils listed are combinations of oils.  PanAway blend contains Wintergreen, Helichrysum, clove, peppermint.  My book also lists the various oils and what they help with.  Example are good antiseptic or good at relieving inflammation.  Wintergreen is also listed separately of the list of back pain helpers.  Several oils are listed as possible helpers or substitutes.  I know that I have used peppermint and cloves in order to numb pain.  I think that "Ben Gay" has peppermint essential oil in it just to give an example that oils are used in products you have heard of.

 

I buy my oils from a natural food coop.  Young Living has excellent products, but tiny bottles at high prices, and I find my coop purchases are effective.  I have also been known to order oils online from an Apothecary.  Make sure you get therapeutic grade oils:  NOT PERFUMES!  Some should be used with olive or coconut oil to dilute them for the skins sake.  I check the oils on my wrist before using a new one as I am sensitive to some.

 

I am currently using oils to balance hormones and help move lymph.  Formerly, peppermint helped with dizziness which I think I got from cross contamination in the house.  I do recommend that, if you are not sensitive to peppermint.  I have tried various other oils and found them effective for the books recommended uses.

 

Whatever I am doing:  IT is working!  You probably can find a similar book at a library or find information on line.   I grew interested in natural alternatives to drugs when the pharmacist said that eczema cream was extremely dangerous and doctors could offer no alternative.

 

I am willing to discuss essential oils with people if they should want it.  I am not selling oils, but just enjoying my reference book and the effectiveness of the oils.  I also have a functional medicine nurse which checks me on whatever oils I am regularly using.

[GF Lover]

I would recommend water therapy for chronic pain.  Most YMCA's have warm water therapy pools.

 

Also, Almond oil is a good carrier oil and smells wonderful.

 

Colleen

[Adalaide]

I would recommend water therapy for chronic pain.  Most YMCA's have warm water therapy pools.

 

Also, Almond oil is a good carrier oil and smells wonderful.

 

Colleen

 

Water therapy is great! It's important though to either know your limits very well and stay within them or work with a doctor or physical therapist to get a regimen set up to keep from hurting yourself further. Because you're in the water you don't realize how much you're working your muscles until you get out, or possibly even until the next day. Better to underachieve and slowly work up to a limit than overachieve and cause injury.

[GF Lover]

Water therapy is great! It's important though to either know your limits very well and stay within them or work with a doctor or physical therapist to get a regimen set up to keep from hurting yourself further. Because you're in the water you don't realize how much you're working your muscles until you get out, or possibly even until the next day. Better to underachieve and slowly work up to a limit than overachieve and cause injury.

Absolutely Addy.  When I started water therapy my therapist warned me.  I took it real easy and still was sore the next day.  A little goes a long way.