Chronic pain is a nightmare, and it’s one that many people live with on a regular basis. Learning how to manage your chronic pain means taking an individual journey that might go beyond pain medication. Medical help and treatment are always going to be important, but if you can use holistic methods to reduce your reliance on pain medication or complement your medication even a little bit, you might be better off in the long run. There are many great ways to help you manage your pain with various products, such as the best pain patch, therapies, and lifestyle changes, with these top five being a good place to get started.
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1. CBD
CBD is a plant-derived product that may have a positive effect on pain for some people, which is why many have adopted it into their pain management strategy. Each individual’s response might vary, of course, the same way certain foods or medications will impact a person differently from one to another. CBD may not work for you, or it may not work in low doses. A good way to determine is to test. You could try some CBD gummies for pain and test out different doses and track how you feel with a number system for your various health issues so you can determine the right dose for you. However, it’s important not to go over the recommended dosage. Also, speaking with your doctor before taking CBD is recommended, especially if you have existing health issues and/or take medication.
2. Green Tea
Green tea is another anti-inflammatory drink that’s full of antioxidants and is excellent for your immune system. While it won’t help stop pain outright, it might help reduce issues like inflammation in your joints. Since it’s great for your overall health in general, this is an easy new habit to adopt regardless of its impact on your pain.
3. Hot/Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy is a great tool you can do at home. The process is simple: place your pained body part in cold water, and then use a warm compress, and rotate. The cold works to bring down inflammation, while the heat boosts circulation. This treatment could help with bruising, nerve pain, and joint pain, though it is best saved for new injuries.
4. Compression Therapy
Compression is a great tool to reduce inflammation and support proper posture. It’s particularly useful for the joints. Getting a wrist compress can help minimize arthritis pain in the hands, for example, while a knee brace can give you extra support while you walk. You don’t want these to be too tight to the point where they cut off blood flow. Instead, they simply need to be tight enough to offer some counter-pressure relief.
5. Physical Therapy
There are many different kinds of physical therapies out there to suit your individual pain issues. One of the most common types is chiropractic care with chiropractors in Naples Florida. If you have nerve or back-related pain, chiropractic care may help release some of that pressure and bring about pain relief in the process. You can also go through a physical therapy regimen to help you build strength and flexibility with a professional so that you can work around your pain. This last option is a good choice in particular if you’re recovering from a physical injury. A pool from Austin pool builders, fire pit, or outdoor kitchen can be good ways to use backyard space.