Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Using Natural and Alternative Remedies
• Part 2 of 3: Taking Medication
• Part 3 of 3: Reducing Pain Through Lifestyle Changes
• Warnings

Generally speaking, there are two types of pain. Acute pain can last from a few seconds to several weeks. Typically, this pain signals that your body is experiencing some kind of damage or infection. Chronic pain lasts longer and may continue even after the injury or damage that caused it has been repaired. There are many ways to relieve pain, including medication, natural remedies, or lifestyle changes. However, keep in mind that it is not always possible to get rid of pain, even if you follow these recommendations in everything. It should be understood that each method has its own limitations.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Using Natural and Alternative Remedies

1. 1 Apply a warm compress. It is especially good to apply such a compress to the stiff, stiff parts of the body.
   • Fill a heat-resistant plastic bottle with hot water and wrap it in a towel. Do not put a container of hot water directly on your skin, otherwise you may get burned!
   • Heat promotes blood circulation, increasing blood flow to the affected area.
   • It works especially well for injured or cramped muscles, a stiff back or menstrual cramps.
2. 2 Reduce pain by applying a cold compress to the affected area. This will dull the pain as well as help relieve swelling.
   • Use an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas. Wrap it in a towel to keep the ice off your skin.
   • Apply the ice pack for 10 minutes, then allow the skin to warm to avoid frostbite. After a while, you will be able to apply the compress again.
   • Such a compress will help with irritated, swollen and inflamed joints, bruises and other minor injuries.
3. 3 Try herbal remedies. Although not well-tested, many believe that these remedies help. Do not use them without consulting your doctor if you are pregnant.
   • Figs help reduce inflammation.
   • Feverfew for girls helps with headaches, abdominal pain and toothache. It should not be consumed during pregnancy.
   • Turmeric helps with inflammation, arthritis, heartburn. Do not take it if you have a sore gallbladder.
   • Buttercup helps with arthritis and back pain. It should not be taken for gallstones, stomach or intestinal ulcers, or for pregnant women.
4. 4 Try acupuncture. This procedure involves inserting thin needles at various points on your body. Acupuncture can relieve pain. The mechanism of its action is not entirely clear - perhaps it stimulates the body, and as a result, natural substances that reduce pain (the so-called endorphins) are released in it.
   • Acupuncture for pain relief is done in many clinics. Find a place with a good reputation. Ask your doctor for a recommendation for a location.
   • Acupuncture uses sterile, disposable, very thin needles from a sealed package. You will feel a prick as the needle enters. The needles can remain in the skin for up to 20 minutes.
   • For maximum effect, you may need several sessions.
   • Acupuncture is effective for headaches, menstrual cramps, back pain, osteoarthritis, facial pain, and some digestive disorders.
5. 5 Manage pain with biofeedback. In this method, the doctor connects sensors to you that show the physiological response of your body. By concentrating on this information, you are trying to change the response of your body.
   • In doing so, you can find out which muscles increase or decrease pain by tensing and relaxing them, and use this to relieve pain.
   • Biofeedback can provide you with information about muscle tension, body temperature, sweating, and heart rate.
   • Seek help from a well-established, qualified doctor or specialist under the direction of a doctor. If you are looking to purchase your own instrument, be careful and skeptical about claims of emergency capability.
6. 6 Try functional electrical stimulation. In this method, a computer sends weak electrical impulses to your body through electrodes, causing your muscles to contract. Possible benefits include the following:
   • Greater range of motion
   • Reduced muscle spasms
   • Increased muscle strength
   • Slowing the decline in bone density
   • Better blood circulation

Part 2 of 3: Taking Medication

1. 1 Try local pain relievers. They can be rubbed directly into the affected area. There are different products that contain different active ingredients.
   • Capsaicin (Kapsasin, Zostrix). It is this substance that makes the chili pepper hot. It prevents the nerves from sending pain signals.
   • Salicylates (Asper cream, Bengey). These ointments contain aspirin to reduce inflammation and pain.
   • Anti-irritants (Icy Hot balm, Biofreeze). These ointments contain menthol and camphor, which provide a cool or warm feeling.
   • These remedies are often used to relieve joint pain.
   • Always read the instructions for use carefully and follow them. Before using this or that drug on children or pregnant women, be sure to consult your doctor.
   • Watch for signs of an allergic reaction, such as a rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, or difficulty swallowing.
2. 2 Reduce inflammation with over-the-counter medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prevent the body from producing substances that cause inflammation. These include the following common drugs:
   • Aspirin (Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer, Bufferin, Excedrin). Do not give aspirin to children or adolescents under the age of 19.
   • Ketoprofen (Orudis).
   • Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, Medipren).
   • Naprxen sodium (Aleve).
   • These drugs are effective for osteoarthritis, muscle pain, back pain, toothache, gout, menstrual cramps, high fever joint pain, headache.
   • Always follow directions for use.Do not take these medications during pregnancy without first talking to your doctor. Watch for signs of an allergic reaction.
   • If you are taking any other medications, check with your doctor, as different medications can interact with each other.
3. 3 See your doctor if you have an infection or injury that you cannot deal with on your own. The doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment for you and prescribe medications to relieve pain.
   • See your doctor if you have a sprain, fracture, or deep cut. The doctor will be able to apply a bandage and splint, or suture the cut so that it heals properly. Your doctor will prescribe powerful pain relievers if needed.
   • Seek medical attention if a serious infection occurs. It can be a serious respiratory tract infection such as pneumonia or bronchitis, an ear or eye infection, a sexually transmitted disease, severe pain in the abdomen, which may also indicate an infection, and the like. Your doctor will prescribe strong antibiotics for you, and your condition will improve as soon as these antibiotics begin to kill the infection that has infected you.
4. 4 Discuss medications with your doctor. If all else fails and you still feel severe pain, your doctor may prescribe stronger drugs such as morphine or codeine.
   • These drugs are addictive. They should only be taken on the advice of a doctor.
5. 5 Relieve chronic joint pain with a cortisone injection. Typically, these injections are given directly into the affected joint. They usually contain a corticosteroid and a local anesthetic.
   • These injections are effective for gout, arthritis, lupus, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and other conditions.
   • Because these injections can damage the articular cartilage, they are usually given no more than three to four times a year.
6. 6 Talk to your doctor about taking antidepressants for pain relief. The analgesic effect of these drugs is not fully understood, but they may contribute to the release of substances in the spine that reduce pain signals.
   • It may take several weeks before you feel relief.
   • Antidepressants can help with arthritis, nerve damage, back pain, pain caused by stroke, headaches, back pain, and pelvic pain.
   • Of all antidepressants, tricyclics are the most commonly used for pain relief.

Part 3 of 3: Reducing Pain Through Lifestyle Changes

1. 1 Get some rest. When you are at rest, your body devotes more energy to healing. Give your body the time it needs to heal by getting a good night's sleep. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep.
   • Avoid strenuous exercise such as running during treatment.
   • Try to avoid stressful situations. Under stress, physiological changes occur in the body that adversely affect overall well-being and slow down the healing process.
2. 2 Practice physical therapy. If your doctor thinks this will help, they will recommend the right physiotherapist for your case. The specific exercises used in physiotherapy can help you:
   • Strengthen Weakened Muscles
   • Increase range of motion
   • Recover from injury
   • Physical therapy often helps with musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary and other problems.
3. 3 Control your emotions with relaxation techniques. Pain can cause anxiety, stress, depression, or anger, and all of these feelings adversely affect your body (for example, cause muscle tension). To calm down, practice relaxation techniques such as:
   • Progressive muscle relaxation. Slowly tense and relax individual muscle groups, taking turns moving from one group to another.
   • Visualization. Concentrating, try to imagine a peaceful scene (seashore, etc.).
   • Deep breathing
   • Meditation
   • Yoga
   • Tai chi gymnastics
   • Massage
   • Hypnosis
4. 4 See a psychotherapist. A therapist can help you sort out your emotions and deal with them successfully.
   • If the emotional stress you are experiencing manifests itself physically, for example in the form of muscle tension that causes pain, the therapist can help you identify the problem and prevent it in the future.
5. 5 Try cognitive behavioral therapy. This proven method helps people come to terms with pain they cannot avoid. Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help with chronic back pain. Your doctor will help you:
   • Determine what caused the pain.
   • Become aware of your thoughts about the current situation.
   • Determine the best ways of thinking to protect yourself from pain.
   • Form a different, more positive mindset that will help you later in life.

Warnings

• Always read the instructions for over-the-counter medicines carefully and adhere to them strictly.
• Check with your doctor before taking any medications, herbal remedies, or dietary supplements, especially if you are pregnant. Also check with your doctor before giving them to your child.
• If you are already taking other medications, talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, or dietary supplements. Different drugs can interact with each other.
• Avoid alcohol while taking medications.
• Ask your doctor if you can drive while taking any medication.
• Some medicines can have negative effects if taken for a long time. Do not take medications for longer than indicated in the instructions without first consulting your doctor.