Pain, whether chronic or acute, is annoying, uncomfortable, and sometimes even debilitating. Intense pain that won’t go away needs medical attention, especially when you can’t pinpoint the cause. But for pain that doesn’t want you to rush to the ER or neuropathy clinic immediately, there are several home remedies that you can try:
1. Stretching
When you’re in pain, probably the last thing you want to do is move. However, light stretching can help reduce the tension in your muscles and lessen some of your pain, especially if the cause of it is exercise. Regular stretching is also an excellent way to prevent back pain, which is a risk for people who have little physical activity and poor posture.
2. Hot and cold compress
Did your gout suddenly flare-up? Does your tooth feel like a drill in your mouth? Heat treatment is useful in relaxing sore muscles and joints, whereas cold therapy can help reduce inflammation and cause numbing. You can also decide to use both hot and cold compresses for the best results.
3. NSAIDs
NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are used to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and prevent blood clots. For mild to moderate acute pain, use over-the-counter NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen for relatively fast relief. However, make sure not to take more than the recommended dose. If the pain persists, use alternative methods to supplement the medication.
4. Natural painkillers
Drugs can have adverse side effects and interactions with food and other drugs in the body. It is also not a good idea to take a pill every time you feel pain, as this habit can lead to addiction.
Fortunately, there are natural alternatives to pain medication that come in the form of herbs and spices. Some examples of these alternative medicines include turmeric, willow bark, cloves, ginger, capsaicin, and more.
5. Rest
For many causes of acute pain, rest is the most effective remedy. Let your body recuperate and heal itself by getting enough rest. If you exert yourself, you risk exacerbating the cause of pain and extend its duration even more.
6. Exercise
Light and low-impact exercises, such as yoga, walking, and non-vigorous swimming, can help ease pain by loosening wound up muscles and stimulating the release of endorphins. Apart from its pain relief benefits, regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, which is also an excellent way to prevent muscle and joint pain.
7. Correct your posture
If your pain is caused by poor posture, primarily when you work in front of a computer all day, modifying your workstation can help reduce back pain, neck pain, and other aches.
Raise your monitor so that it is at eye level, ensure that your desk and chair are at the proper height, and make a conscious effort to avoid slouching. With proper ergonomics, you can help reduce pain caused by poor posture and slouching.
When done right, these home remedies can effectively reduce–or even eliminate—bouts of acute pain. However, the pain persists or becomes more intense, see a doctor as soon as possible.
