Does Natural Pain Relief Really Exist?
Eddie Tobey
Everyone will suffer pain at some point in their lives. Grim as this may sound, some pain is necessary - it's a signal from our brain that something is wrong in our body, something we need to address to protect our health and well-being. It can be caused by anything from a dental cavity to a broken bone to a disease. Once we determine where the pain is coming from, we can diagnose and address the health problem, thus alleviating the pain.
Sometimes, however, pain isn't done away with so easily - it remains with us despite all efforts to banish it. This is called 'chronic' pain, distinguishable from 'acute' pain by its persistence. Common examples of chronic pain include backaches, migraine headaches, and arthritis.
The most popular treatment for chronic pain are prescription medications, but these often have adverse side effects ranging from nausea to fatigue, and can cease to be effective once a patient builds a tolerance. Acupuncture has been used as a form of natural pain relief and cure for many chronic conditions for over two thousand years. Originating in China, acupuncture involves piercing the skin with thin needles on specific points of the body. Patients have claimed acupuncture has proven effective in treating ailments such as neck pain, migraine headaches, arthritic pain, and even depression.
Herbal remedies offer another time-tested alternative to conventional therapies, providing natural pain relief to sufferers without many of the unwanted side effects of conventional medicines. There usually several herbal treatments for a particular condition; popular herbal remedies include emu oil, which can alleviate the pain of arthritis, and good old Vitamin E, which helps minimize scarring. The downside of herbal treatments is that they often take longer to achieve noticeable results; the upside is that you aren't introducing man-made foreign compounds into your body, and run less risk of side effects or damaging your overall health.
Although it may sound like well-worn advice with little glitter or pizzazz, perhaps the best advice is to take care of yourself - get proper nutrition by eating fewer processed foods and more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Take care to get enough sleep each night, and take time out of each day for exercise - even simple activities like taking the stairs at work or a walk around the block go a long way towards improving your health.
About the author:
Pain Relief Info
provides detailed information on arthritis, back, joint, lower
back, natural, chronic, neck, sciatica, knee, fibromyalgia, and
muscle pain relief. Pain Relief Info is the sister site of Acid Reflux Web.
The latest information and news on Arthritis Advice :
BERNARDS - The Somerset County Office on Aging will offer an Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi program at the Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, located at 202 Mt. Airy Road. Classes will be held on Thursday afternoons at 1 p.m., starting...
The "Cold" Truth About Arthritis Pain (WMBD - FOX 43 Peoria)
WMBD/WYZZ - Peoria - The cold, winter months can cause a few extra problems for people with arthritis, but the temperature outside may not be the only thing causing those aches and pains.
Movie Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Box Office Prophets)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button tells the epic story of a man who ages in reverse. When he's born in 1918, Benjamin appears weathered and wrinkly, as if a 70-year-old man shrunk down to the size of a baby. A doctor says Benjamin's insides are on the cusp of giving out and he has arthritis.
Coming up (This Week Delaware)
Arthritis Foundation Warm Water Exercises, various times Monday-Thursday, at the Comfort Inn. No age requirement for classes and no contract to sign. Cost of class is $1 per person, per class, paid at each class attended. Scholarships are available.
Nuclear knuckles (Times of Malta)
A British arthritis sufferer has his knuckles replaced with new ones made from material used to line nuclear reactors.
Autopsy completed for Jett Travolta: Bahamas officials (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Officials in the Bahamas on Monday conducted an autopsy on Jett Travolta, the teenage son of actor John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston, who died here last week during a family holiday, police said.
Arthritis Foundation 'Movement Monday' (Great Neck Record)
The Arthritis Foundation's Long Island Chapter announced the upcoming launch of Let's Move Together, a nationwide movement created to improve the quality of life of the one-in-five Americans suffering from the pain of arthritis.
Steelers Will Host San Diego In Divisional Round (WTOV 9 Steubenville)
There are a lot of things that can cause joint pain. Find out how psoriasis can lead to arthritis. Full Story ?? Think you can?t own a vacation home for less than $100,000? Check out these lesser known spots where you can relax without the high price.
Fido? He's in rehab -- for his knee (or is it his elbow?) (Los Angeles Times)
A Santa Monica clinic provides physical therapy for dogs, cats -- even a rabbit. The regimens and treatments look familiar to anyone who's undergone rehabilitation. They come in with arthritis, back pain, sore elbows. Some are recuperating from car accidents or surgery or just bad judgment (a leap off a balcony). Others are coping with the ravages of old age. The most common problem: a tear ...
Arthritis is a joint project (News Interactive)
WHEN it comes to bendy bits, it's best to take it easy if possible. Perhaps there should be a saying, "Overuse it and you may wear it out"!