Pain relief alternatives to medication

[SUCCESSC]

Hi,

I am new to the forum.

What would recommend as an alternative to medications that have supported you coping with pain?

[PainConcernProjects Partner Community Champion Pain Concern]

Hi there, thank you for your post!

As well as medication, there are several techniques that can assist with pain management. To note also, do keep updating your GP on your pain concerns, if you are on any current medication and this is not working for you, it is important for you to be able to express this in order to find any other methods that may work better.

Self management can be an effective technique to help in coping with pain. This can work effectively by setting outcomes and goals for yourself, and focusing on the important aspects in your life. It is important to think about activities or goals you may be focused on if this pain was not in your life. Chronic pain can often prevent people from taking part in activities, or cutting back in general life. It is important to pursue activities still, even if on a minimal level depending on the level of pain, in order to make less room for the pain in your life. This coincides with why setting goals is important, starting with one goal or activity that is really important to you, to help you stick to this, making sure it is enjoyable to you.

If you would like some more information on this also, please do visit the resources tab on painconcern.org.uk/, which has several resources on coping strategies other than prescribed medication.

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Acupuncture,Chiropractic,medical marijuana,distraction techniques

[BadHare]

I use an infrared lamp morning & night. Small lamps for localised use are available online for under £20/€20/$20. I’ve just invested in a larger lamp for £68. I’d previously only used mine when in severe pain, but I’m finding twice daily use to be preventative.

Acupuncture is excellent. I also practice acupressure daily. Look up Sara Calabro’s Acutake website for simple information.

Yoga, pilates, & Qigong are good to stretch muscles & keep joints mobile.

Take magnesium at bedtime in an empty stomach with water only. Chelated or bisglycinate are the most bioavailable forms. There are skin sprays but some find they sting too much. A bath soak for >20 minutes with 500g of Mg hexahydrate crystals is soothing & a nice way to absorb Mg. 25kg sacks are reasonably priced.

[cyberbarn]

have a look at the pain toolkit website, there should be some ideas there for you. paintoolkit.org

[strongmouse]

There are quite a few things that stop the pain from flaring up. I take medication daily but have to watch my posture and make sure I change activities throughout the day.

In the past I have found tens machine helped and infared heat. Gentle massage and heat - hot water bottle - plus gentle exercise which avoids exacerbating the pain helps. Depends a little on what is causing the pain.