6 Alternatives to Painkillers –

• Topical pain reliever

Topical pain relievers come in the forms of gels, creams, sprays, or lotions. They are applied directly on the skin to relieve pain often caused by sore muscles and arthritis. Containing anti-inflammatory properties similar to those found in OTC pain medications, these topical creams work the same way as anti-inflammatories taken orally. The main difference is that they only work in the area where they are applied.

• Exercise

If you suffer from chronic pain, you can do low-intensity exercises such as swimming, walking, biking, and yoga to help relieve it. It can have a long-term effect as it improves and strengthens your muscles and releases endorphins, which are known to be natural painkillers.

• Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine where thin needles are placed at specific points in the body. This method is believed to help reduce pain by promoting the release of endorphins. Since many acupuncture points are near nerves, they stimulate muscles and block sending pain messages to the brain. It can be an alternative or part of your comprehensive pain management plan.

• Massage therapy and chiropractic treatment

If you have chronic back and neck problems, massage therapy may help lessen your pain. It is said to reduce stress and relieve tension as it enhances blood flow. Chiropractic care is one of the most common non-surgical treatments to relieve back pains. It follows the theory that proper alignment of your body’s musculoskeletal structure allows it to heal without surgery.

• Bioelectric therapy

Bioelectric therapy helps block pain messages to the brain and promotes the body’s production of endorphins. It is used to treat chronic and acute conditions causing pain like muscle and back pains, headaches, migraines, arthritis, and diabetic neuropathy. Often part of a comprehensive pain management program, bioelectric treatment is an effective way to give temporary pain control.

• Trigger point injection

The trigger point injection is an alternative treatment for a range of conditions, fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome. This is a procedure where painful areas of your muscle that contain trigger points are treated by injecting a local anesthetic, which may include steroids. It can also be an alternative approach to treating fibromyalgia or tension headaches.

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