Physical suffering is a down right pain! Whether you have a throbbing pain in the back or a chronic dull ache in the knee, it’s tough to pay attention to pretty much anything else.
Your pain is hindering your ability to live your life to the fullest. At this point, I’m guessing you’ve seen physical therapists and doctors. Now, it’s time to try out some alternative healing methods. I hope they offer you a bit of relief.
A Sound Sleep
When you don’t get a sound sleep, you may find that your pain tolerance goes down. You’re unable to handle your everyday pain in the same way that you used to when you got proper sleep.
Perhaps your pain is keeping you up at night, keeping this vicious cycle in motion. How can you get a quality sleep? Practice proper sleep hygiene such as reducing light exposure and keeping your room at a cool temperature.
Also, look into ways that your sleeping accessories can help you feel more comfortable and reduce your pain. Not every pillow is created equal! Do some research to figure out which pillow is right for you.
A quality night’s sleep will help your mental health. When you’re in the right state of mind, you’ll be able to use your coping skills to handle the pain.
Aromatherapy
Getting a whiff of a strong scent can bring back memories. If anything else, aromatherapy can serve as a distraction from your pain. The smell of ginger or rose may bring you right back to your grandmother’s garden or your childhood kitchen.
Essential oils contain healing properties that can offer you pain relief. Doctors are saying it’s not about the way it smells, it’s about the medicinal components of the plant extract. Try smelling lavender oil or eucalyptus oil. You can get a diffuser, incense cones or burners, or apply the oil on your body (not directly though! Make sure to dilute the oil with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or sesame oil.)
Let yourself relax as you enjoy the sweet smell of essential oil wafting into your nostrils.
Massage
Nothing in the world feels quite as good as a Swedish massage! This is why spa trips are so popular- you’re lying there, in a relaxed state, while someone else is kneading your muscles with firm but gentle strokes. It’s tough not to love the feeling of expert hands giving you a massage.
You may find that when the masseuse applies pressure on certain muscles, tendons, joints, you feel your pain melting away. The benefits of a high-quality massage will last longer than the session. You may notice that you’re not feeling as much pain in the days and weeks that follow for your massage.
Massage has many benefits including:
- reduces inflammation
- reduces stress
- reduces muscle tension
- eliminates toxins
- improves sleep
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of treatment that involves placing thin needles in specific points on the body. It’s used in traditional Chinese medicine to balance Qi, or flow of energy.
Acupuncture has been steadily gaining reputability as a reliable way to alleviate chronic pain, and is increasingly being implemented by athletes with sports injuries, including the legendary Shaquille O’Neal – and he doesn’t mess around! While the mechanism behind how acupuncture works is complex and sometimes esoteric – the results show that it is in fact effective, to the point where it is even being covered in some mainstream health insurance packages.
Acupuncture may serve you well and kickstart your healing journey.
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There is a high chance that one or more of these strategies will benefit you, as there is a lot of evidence that points to their success. If you’ve tried everything else and you’re at your wits end, why not try out a few of these techniques?
Go to a handful of sessions to assess whether or not they are effective. Massage, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and a sound sleep have the potential to transform your life for the better.
Look at this like a pain-relief experiment. I am sorry that you’ve been suffering. I wish you well during your healing journey!
Annie Foley
Author
GetBodyPillow
P.S. Having more than one pillow case can help keep your skin from breaking out and your room smelling fresh. Grab another U Body Pillow Cover/ Case!
