6 Ways to Manage and Relieve Pain
Everyone experiences pain from time to time. From one-off bouts of inflammation and muscle strain to chronic pain, there are ways to manage pain naturally and effectively.
Here are some simple natural treatments you may like to try to help relieve pain symptoms:
Move Your Body
It may feel counterintuitive to exercise when experiencing pain, but inactivity can cause the muscles to stiffen and then become painful again when you start to move around.
Avoid activities that put excessive strain on the area that is in pain for at least two weeks if you can, but keep the body moving to increase blood flow and relieve tightness.
Replace higher intensity exercise like running, aerobics, and jumping, with low-impact exercises such as swimming or gentle walks.
Stretching and Strengthening
There is evidence that a gentle stretching exercise can restore flexibility and reduce pain.
In a study of 66 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, researchers at the University of Rochester found that two years after learning the exercise, 92% of participants diagnosed with plantar fasciitis reported total or near-total satisfaction with their recovery, and 94% reported decreased pain.
Without straining yourself further, start with very gentle and light stretching in the area, holding each pose for 15 to 30 seconds and repeating it 2 – 4 times to reach maximum elongation.
Find stretches that are made for your particular pain or the area and even start incorporating some simple yoga or Pilates into your weekly routine.
Optimise Your Sleep and Stress Management
Both sleep and stress can play a significant role in pain levels. A good night sleep gives your body an opportunity to heal and reboot the nervous system for the following day. But both poor sleep and high-stress levels can put you into a constant fight-or-flight mode, which exacerbates pain.
Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep per night. If pain is disrupting your sleep, having a short nap in the afternoon can take the edge off your fatigue.
When it comes to stress, managing it is personal to you – much like managing pain. Tools like meditation, journaling, diffusing essential oils, gentle exercise such as walking and yoga and even cuddling a pet or loved one can be helpful. I personally love to de-stress and unwind after a busy day with a relaxing bath soak with Kunzea Bath Salts.
Get A Massage
Massage can help to loosen the muscles and ligaments that have become painfully tight and provide relief.
Depending on the type of pain, you can visit a remedial massage therapist for some deep tissue massage.
Alternatively, you can massage the area gently yourself, or use a small ball (such as a tennis or golf ball) and roll along the area, applying pressure as you can handle it. Do this twice daily for approximately 2 minutes and then massage Zea Relief Kunzea Products into the area straight after – my recommendation would be either the Kunzea Cream or Concentrated Massage Oil.
Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Topical natural anti-inflammatory products, such as Kunzea Cream, may be an effective way to calm redness, swelling and pain – particularly if symptoms have been present for less than 6-8 weeks.
But remember that the underlying cause of your pain must still be addressed for true healing to take place.
And while anti-inflammatory agents may be useful for you, it’s important to understand that it won’t be a miracle cure, instead, it may temporarily reduce the symptoms.
Put Together a Support Team
- Physical or musculoskeletal health – physiotherapists, myotherapists and massage therapists
- Mental health – psychologists, psychiatrists and counsellors
- Holistic health – naturopaths, nutritionists and acupuncturists
- At-home management – occupational therapists and social workers
- Overall management – pain specialists, other specialists, nurses and a trusted GP
Stay Pain-Free
During times of pain, no matter the cause or type, it is so important to put your self-care and needs first – without the guilt!
By taking care of your health in a holistic manner from nutrition to sleep to movement, you are more likely to recover faster and establish a foundation for better overall wellness.
Pain can strike at any time and affect anyone, so please take care of yourself, ask for help when you need it and take a load off whenever you can!
About the Author – Michelle Brass ND
With over 25 years of experience in the natural health industry, Michelle has dedicated her life to helping others embrace the therapeutic benefits of nature. Throughout her time as a health practitioner, she has used and recommended countless traditional and conventional treatments to her clients – as she believes an integrative approach to health and wellness is very important. Michelle is passionate about using and promoting essential oils and, in particular, Kunzea Oil, as she has seen them help thousands of people over the years. She knows that using essential oils in your daily life can help bring balance to the mind, body and soul. She is constantly trialling and testing new products with her loyal clients.
Medical Disclaimer
All content by Australian Kunzea Pty Ltd, including, text, images, audio, or other formats, were created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To read our full medical disclaimer, click here.
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