Well before you pop one more ibuprofen or naproxen...or worse yet...a prescription pain-killer, you might want to read all the warnings. Do some research. You just might rethink that move.
Pain medications do serve a purpose. There are times when you simply must have help to manage your pain. But in a society where we are told daily by many members of the medical community and big pharma that there are pills to cure everything, many of us have come to rely on them much too readily.
Regular use of painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen, even the OTC brands, may raise your risk of heart attack and stroke. They can also cause bleeding in your stomach, headaches, restless sleep, fluid retention, and a whole list of other problems. Prescription drugs can do the same and more. Unless you've been living off-planet in recent years, you are well aware of the opioid problem.
Fortunately there are some alternative ways to deal with pain without medication. Here are some tips:
1. Reduce your stress. Stress can contribute to pain. Try relaxation and stress management techniques to help.
2. Meditation. Learn how to read your body's signals and become more in tune with your physical self. This can help ease tension and promote relaxation. Meditation can even help reduce your sensitivity to pain.
3. Exercise regularly. One of the first things my doctor told me to do to ease the pain in my knee was WALK! When you exercise, you produce endorphins which help minimize pain. "Runner's high" is a real thing...a "feel good" sensation caused by the production of endorphins.
4. Get a massage. I now get a regular manicure just so I can get the hand massage that goes with it!
5. SLEEP! Sleep is important to healing and managing stress. Try for 7-8 hours of restful sleep every night.
6. Eat healthy food. There are foods that can cause inflammation, which aggravates pain. And there are foods that can help reduce it. Plus your body works more effectively when it's running on healthy fuel.
7. Try a chiropractor. I admit I used to think chiropractors were all charlatans. But then I was sent to one to help with my hip pain. I'm a convert. Not sure how they do the voodoo they do, but it works!
8. Keep busy. Having things to focus on will help you occupy your mind and keep it from focusing on how much you hurt.
It's important not to ignore pain. It is often a warning signal that something isn't right. Don't be afraid to tell your doctor when you are experiencing pain. Just don't get complacent about taking a pill every time you feel a twinge. Try some of the above techniques. Save the pills for when you TRULY need them.
