Pain control is a priority for you and your doctor after surgery. While it is expected to feel some pain and discomfort, it is now a lot easier to manage pain and relieve pain with advancements in pain control and alternative methods such as acupuncture and relaxation techniques. Over the counter medicines such as ibuprofen are effective however the long-term use can cause side effects. The best way to help relieve pain is through natural pain remedies. Chinese herbal medicine has been around for many centuries as a suitable medicine for managing pain. Let’s look at some of the most common natural pain remedies.
CBD Oil
CBD Oil has gained popularity globally as a natural pain remedy. CBD Oil is known as cannabidiol and found in the marijuana plant Cannabis Sativa. The use of cannabis for pain medication dates to ancient China. CBD is used as an alternative pain medication for treating common conditions like back pain or arthritis and is taken orally with the use of oil droplets or CBD vape pens. Our endocannabinoid systems will show how we experience pain. Studies have shown how well CBD oil had relieved chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, cancer pain, and neuropathic pain. Researchers have concluded that CBD doesn’t have cause any side effects and is a very effective natural pain remedy.
Ginger
Ginger is also known as Zingiber officinale. It is a flowering plant whose ginger root is widely used as a natural pain medicine or as a spice. A systematic review has found that ingesting 2 grams of ginger every day can help reduce pain, reduce inflammation, and accelerate recovery. Ginger can be included into your diet by adding raw ginger into a tea or a smoothie. There are ginger supplements available in many health stores, but the natural ginger root may be the healthier option as a fresh natural ingredient. Ginger originated in China. It has also been proven to help fight the common cold or flu.
Tens (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
A tens unit is a special device that will send low level electrical current into the area of the body that is in pain. A tens unit is very useful after having surgery to help manage pain. A tens unit is consisting of a small battery powered machine that is connected wires to a pair of electrodes. You can connect the 2 electrodes to the skin to the area where you need pain relief and a mild level of electrical current will travel through the skin and along the nerve fibers which causes a tingling and warm sensation. Tens can help relieve pain on injuries such as sprains or fractures also.
Turmeric
The active compound in turmeric is Curcuma this gives the herb its healing properties. Turmeric root contains 2 to 5 percent Curcuma. Turmeric root is commonly known as a natural remedy for reducing inflammation. If you include turmeric into your daily diet you should take it with a smoothie, juices, or curries. A study from 2014 had found that Curcuma is as effective as ibuprofen for helping manage pain in treating knee osteoarthritis if taken for up to 4 weeks.
Cold/Hot Compresses
Sometimes the basic are the best option for pain relief. The change in temperature from hot to cold and back again will trigger cold shock proteins and anti-inflammatory heat shock which will allow the compression to decrease blood flow to the injury which will keep any swelling and inflammation down that you may have prior to surgery.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
A great natural pain relief is eucalyptus essential oil. The herb comes from the eucalyptus plant which helps reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain in the body. A study found inhaling eucalyptus oil for 30 minutes every day for 3 days the participants had found relief while they were recovering from knee replacement surgery. Eucalyptus oil should be diluted in a carrier oil and only applied topically to the skin. Always do a spot test on the skin first to ensure no reactions may occur.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin is a natural pain relief substance that is present in chili peppers. Capsaicin comes in patches or topical creams. It is rubbed onto the skin. This substance can sometimes cause a tingling or mild burning sensation when it is applied to the skin topically. Capsaicin is a natural pain reliever and it has shown to lower the sensitivity of the skin to pain by working on the nociceptor fibres. These are nerves that carry pain signals.
Arnica
Arnica is a herb that grows mainly in central Europe and Siberia. The flowers of this plant are used in medicines. It can be used for post-surgery swelling, bleeding, and bruising. It is commonly used for osteoarthritis, surgery, and sore throat. The herb works by stimulating white blood cell activity and increasing circulation. This then lowers inflammation and healing time. Arnica also assists with recovery from dental procedures.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another natural pain therapy alternative in helping to reduce pain in many areas of the body. Acupuncture can help with certain types of pain these include knee pain, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and neck pain. The procedure takes about 30 minutes. Painless hair thin needles are placed into the skin at areas where there are large amounts of intersecting nerve endings that feed into your bones and muscles. A professional acupuncturist can target the correct acupoint correctly.
Natural pain remedies have become a common medicine for targeting pain relief for certain conditions and for after surgery. Natural pain relief is a great alternative for people who want to avoid medication pain relief as prescribed and want to avoid the long-term side effects of these medications. Not every natural pain remedy will work for everyone, everyone’s body is different. Some might find a natural remedy works better than another natural remedy, it is about testing out the products and seeing what works best for you. Mindfulness and yoga are also easy to try at home exercises to help you relax and unwind.