Many people come to me with pain and ask what they can do to speed up the healing process. As more people are choosing to move away from painkillers, here is a list of natural pain management strategy’s for you to explore.
1.Ice Pack:
Apply an Ice pack/bag of peas on the area of pain – 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off – repeat at least twice. This process increases its effectiveness with repetition. Ice helps to reduce pain by numbing the area and dramatically reducing acute inflammation. Many of my clients say this process is more effective than pain killers for easing their pain.
2. Salt Bath:
Put at least 500g of epsom salt in to your bath, relax and bathe for at least 30mins. It takes time for the magnesium to be absorbed into your body, helping your muscles to relax and reduce your pain.
3. Lavender Essential Oil:
Select steam distilled organic oils if possible, it does make a difference & do a small patch test first to see if you have a reaction to the oil, I haven’t met anyone who does. Apply liberally onto the area of pain. When using this oil in the evening it also aids relaxation, facilitating a great nights sleep!
4. Posture:
Try to ensure your shoulders are not ‘slouching’ forward which will put pressure on your site of pain due to the ‘stress mechanic’s of the body. Try to stand and sit with a good posture, it will help your muscles to relax as you hold less tension when you are in a neutral/non-stressed position; super charge this by contracting your core muscles to support your whole spine.
5. Gentle Movement:
When you move your body you help to stimulate blood flow throughout your joints and tissues. This allows oxygen and nutrients to be absorbs into the spine and muscles, and toxins to be carried away and eliminated. Both the absorption and elimination process is an important part of guiding your body back into harmony and becoming pain-free.
6. UDO’S Choice:
This is not an immediate fix but it will massively help with the healing process and many other important body functions. I take this product daily as it helps my body to repair, reduces inflammation and works to regulate hormones. Udo’s Choice is a unique combination of omegas 3 and 6, its also a great beauty product & awesome for body builders. You can buy this from ‘Revitalise’ on Putney High Street, my favourite health store
7. CBD Oil:
This is a great investment, it is incredible for pain relief and reducing stress when in a high concentration; the higher the concentration the stronger the pain relief. CBD oil is not a cheap product but if your pain is bad this could be just the thing you need (if I was in labour this would absolutely be my choice of pain relief). This oil can also help you get a better night’s sleep and reduce stress or anxiety. There is lots of information about this cannabinoid online, do some research to see if its the right fit for you.
8. Email me for a Chiropractic Session:
It’s important to get your nervous system communicating correctly with the rest of your body when you are in pain & to relax your muscles. Spinal adjustments help to dramatically reduce your recovery time by activating your bodies natural innate ability to heal and repair itself, dry needling helps your muscles to relax quickly & effectively and cranial sacral techniques help the body to deeply relax and integrate all other techniques used in a session.