Pain Management Without Opioids

Man meditating outdoors in nature.

Doctors prescribe pain medications to people every day. In the short term, they can help people through the most difficult times. But in the long term, some of these medications have led to addiction problems. You should always seek a medical professional’s advice when you are experiencing pain or other major ailments. However, people have reported success with less dangerous alternatives in managing pain and discomfort.

Yoga and Meditation

It’s always a good idea to practice self-care. Yoga is great exercise. It can help you to tone your muscles, and it can help you to improve your flexibility. But it also helps you to take your mind off of the pain you might be experiencing. Yoga includes numerous breathing exercises, which can help with pain and anxiety. Other forms of meditation are great, too. Often pain includes a mental aspect, and if you can overcome that, you can cope with your pain more easily.

Acupuncture

Before trying alternative drugs, it’s worth exploring acupuncture. This ancient treatment method originated in Asia, and you can find practitioners in the United States. It’s been used to treat back pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and even sports injuries. Thin needles are pricked into the skin and used to block pain signals, and to stimulate the body to send natural pain inhibitors to the needle locations.

Good Nutrition

In addition to fighting your pain externally, you can fight it from the inside out. This starts with good nutrition that includes plenty of vitamins and minerals. Make sure you include lots of Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C in your diet. Thee can help with cellular repair, bone health, and inflammation. In addition, good hydration will help flush toxins from your body. If you don’t want to take the individual vitamins then look for multivitamin supplements that include some or all of them.

CBD and Kratom

If meditation, yoga, and nutrition don’t help, then it might be time to try CBD or kratom. Note that these plant derivatives are not approved by the FDA. Still, many people have reported a reduction in pain after using CBD oil and kratom powder. Some people ingest CBD, while others will use it in a topical cream or other application. Kratom is often consumed in a tea or in capsules. People have reported good results, but again, you will need to consult with a physician.