Nobody wants to cope with chronic pain, or the pain that you feel after a major surgery. Usually, doctors will prescribe strong medications to people to help them through their pain. This is effective for many people to cope with pain in the short term. In the long term, Many people will be able to move forward with their lives. But some of them may experience dependency issues. The source of the opioid epidemic in the United States was not street drugs—it was prescription opioids. These strong painkillers were approved by the FDA, yet came with major side effects like addiction.
Whether you’ve got migraines, muscle pain, or something else, this is enough for most people to consider other options that may be far less dangerous than powerful prescription drugs. There are a variety of natural remedies that companies offer for sale on the internet and in health food stores. But do they work?
Common Natural Products that People Have Tried
The list of natural remedies is endless. The truth is that some of it is junk. Often, people rely on the testimonials of others who have tried products out. If enough people leave good reviews on a particular product, then a consumer might take a risk and try it out. Sometimes, they luck out and the remedy works wonderfully. At other times, they aren’t so lucky, and the products they buy have no effect at all. And sometimes, it’s possible that you can have an adverse reaction. That’s why it’s important to always do your research. The FDA states that one of its goals is to reduce the number of Americans addicted to opioids. However, they are slow to approve any natural alternatives. For example, CBD has not been approved for anything other than as a treatment for epilepsy. And, only one company has that designation. Yet, many Americans have tried CBD in the hopes of reducing their pain. Clinical studies have varied results, “ranging from placebo-equivalent to highly effective.” The challenge of course is that other drugs are far more profitable, and pharmaceutical companies are more likely to invest in studies of their own intellectual property.
People also report that they believe that green vein kratom powder is helpful when trying to deal with chronic pain. This powder has grown in popularity over the years. It is made from the dried leaves of the tropical mitragyna speciosa tree, which is part of the coffee family. As with CBD, there is very little clinical evidence as to its effectiveness. Yet, there are an estimated 15,600,244 kratom users in the US. Although kratom is reported to have other effects, it is a popular item that people use when they are feeling pain. Willow bark contains salicin, which is similar to Aspirin (or rather, aspirin is similar to salicin). Turmeric and cloves are other examples of plant products that people consume when they want to reduce their pain.
Massage and Acupuncture
Some people wish to avoid putting chemicals into their bodies altogether. To them, it makes no difference whether a substance comes from natural plants, or synthetic drugs. Under these conditions, some possible remedies include massage and acupuncture. There are many types of massage, including: Swedish massage, trigger point massage, hot stones, sports massage, aromatherapy massage, deep tissue massage, reflexology, Shiatsu massage, Thai massage, prenatal, and chair massages. Some types of massage are more pleasurable than others. A deep tissue massage is among the least pleasurable, yet it is reported to help with pain associated with muscle knots.
Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM. Practitioners will twist thin needles into the skin at various points on the body. There are two philosophies behind acupuncture. The modern version is “eight principal” TCM. The traditional form is the “five elements” version. As with natural remedies, there is very little research to support the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing pain. The results are inconsistent, and even suggest that the possible short term effects do not last very long, making it an ineffective way to treat chronic pain. Still some people go to see an acupuncturist every week.
What Should You Do About Your Pain?
One thing is certain: pain can be unbearable. If yours isn’t so bad, then you might be able to avoid drugs and possible remedies altogether. Over time, it may go away, or you may get used to it. But, if your pain is unbearable, then you should go see your doctor. Ask him or her which options would make the most sense for you. And, get your doctor’s opinion on whatever you plan to put into your body. All that said, make sure you get a second opinion. Doctors have been wrong in the past, and many Americans are addicted to opioids as a consequence. Good luck!
