Pain is an unwelcome visitor for anyone experiencing it. Our skin is chock full of sensory receptors that send messages to our brain as they travel along nerve fibers. From here, the brain processes these messages as pain. In times of crisis, such as what we are currently experiencing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are suffering from chronic stress. These prolonged periods of anxiety have been shown to intensify pain or cause aches and pains that we normally don't experience.
Understanding the science behind pain can help you gain a better grasp of how your mind and body react in compromising situations. However, the miracles of modern medicine come with its drawbacks. Many Americans have built up a dependence and addiction to prescription painkillers, while others are burdened with a cocktail mixture of daily prescription pills that may compound health complications in the long run. Integrative medicine combines both traditional forms of treatment, like medication, and natural forms of treatment. In this post, we'll focus on relieving pain the natural way.
Vital Field Therapy
Vital field therapy is the process of manipulating the naturally-occurring electromagnetic frequencies that exist all around us and within us. You may not realize, but your body contains very low levels of electricity, and every process in your body can be traced back to vibrational fields and electromagnetic movement. By mimicking and introducing currencies to the body, it can help encourage the nervous system to repair itself.
Through vibrational tactics, the body can stimulate its own wound healing and promote efficiency in the lymphatic system, the area of the body responsible for transporting white blood cells that fight infection. There are many different types of vital field and vibration therapy, depending on the type of injury you've sustained and your overarching goals.
Meditation
Meditation helps you control your body's "fight or flight" reaction to stressful and/or painful
situations. Believe it or not, both stress and anxiety manifest itself in the body as pain,
particularly in connection to the spine. This is why so many people with depression also suffer
from chronic lower back pain.
When you address pain by tackling the underlying source, you're able to both eliminate and manage pain in a manner that works for you. All while learning a lifelong skill that offers ample lifestyle benefits. By working to lower your anxiety levels, not only will you be able to better manage pain, but you will also help to strengthen your immune system. This is not only important to our overall health but also in fighting viruses such as COVID-19.
Cannabis
There are numerous health benefits of cannabis, particularly when it comes to pain management. Both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are cannabis compounds with growing evidence of positive effects on the body. THC resembles the natural cannabinoid chemicals that exist in your body. When ingested or inhaled, THC helps stimulate those receptors to reduce pain levels and activate the brain's "reward system." Although CBD does not cause a "high," its interaction with pain receptors helps alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
Essential Oils
Essential oils have a long and storied history of healing. One study found that inhaling the scent of lavender oil helps relieve pain from migraines. Additionally, it helps ease anxiety and aid sleep. Other research conducted on animals has found that it can act as an anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant.
Peppermint oil is also a strong contender for pain relief. The active ingredients in peppermint oil can be diluted and applied to areas that feel painful or achy. For those that suffer from arthritis, peppermint oil can alleviate muscle spasms.
Lastly, the anti-inflammatory effects of tea tree oil may also relieve the painful side effects of certain skin conditions. It contains many natural compounds, such as terpinen-4-ol, that kill viruses, fungi, and bacteria, stimulating white blood cells in the body.
Acupuncture
To date, several studies have been conducted to support the belief that acupuncture helps reduce pain. This alternative therapy is known to alleviate pain particularly associated with the back, neck, and knees. Although Western research attests to its benefits, it's still largely unclear how this ancient Chinese practice achieves its feats. However, the general understanding is that by inserting ultra fine needles into specific areas of the skin, it releases the body's natural pain-killing endorphins like serotonin.
These specific areas of the body are called "acupoints," which lie along channels in your body. There are different acupoints responsible for different areas and functions of the body. A 2018 meta-analysis study found acupuncture to manage chronic pain, particularly when it comes to musculoskeletal pain and migraines. However, research is ongoing as more scientists explore the long-term benefits of this treatment type.
These are just several ways to help reduce pain naturally. Whether combined with other natural treatments or integrated into a more traditional medical plan, natural solutions are proving to be highly effective in minimizing chronic pain and improving the quality of life for many. As we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, practicing self-care to help manage pain, reduce stress levels and strengthen our immune systems is more important than ever.
This guest post was authored by Jan Wellmann
Ms. Career Girl was started in 2008 to help ambitious young professional women figure out who they are, what they want and how to get it.
