Chronic pain, defined as any pain that lasts longer than three months, is currently the leading cause of long-term disability. One of the most common treatments for chronic pain is opioid prescriptions. However, opioids can do more harm than good. As evident in the increasing opioid epidemic in United States, opioid prescriptions can lead to addiction.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, early 2 million Americans, aged 12 or older, either abused or were dependent on prescription opioids in 2014. Furthermore, more than 15,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids in the following year. These startling statistics serve as a reminder of the potential dangers of opioid use.
Our team at Petett Chiropractic have put together a list of our top three natural pain relief options. While opioids may be the appropriate choice from some, you may benefit from healthy and natural treatment alternatives to medication. This entirely depends on your unique situation and the severity of your condition, so please consult with your doctor first.
Regular Exercise to Improve Health
Regular exercise is already beneficial for your health, but it can also help ease pain. Some good exercises and activities for treating chronic pain include:
- Running, jogging or walking
- Aerobic workouts
- Outdoor activities, such as swimming, biking or hiking
- Indoor workouts, such as Pilates and yoga
- Strength training and weightlifting
Before you begin an exercise program, you should first talk with your doctor. Start slow and then gradually increase your efforts as you gain strength. Never try and keep up with others if doing so is painful. Above all, be patient with your progress. Overexertion can worsen pain, cause injuries and strain the muscles.
Massage to Promote Healing & Minimize Pain
Tight muscles are often a contributing factor to those suffering from chronic pain. Massage therapy focuses on soft tissue manipulation of the muscles, tendons and ligaments. It can help increase blood flow to stiff joints and muscles, which are warmed by the extra circulation.
Regular massage treatments often reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent injury. More than 70 percent of doctors say that they have referred their patients to massage therapy, and it can be very therapeutic when partnered with chiropractic.
Chiropractic as Healthy Alternative for Pain Relief
Chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system and nervous system, addressing the hard tissue of the body, such as the spine and other joints. When spinal bones lose their normal position due to everyday activities or serious injuries, this can affect your balance, posture or resistance to disease.
Trained and experienced chiropractors perform gentle, safe adjustments to ease chronic pain. Injured tissue causes the inability to function in everyday tasks. An adjustment simply restores mobility, discharging the muscle tightness and allowing the tissues to fully heal. A chiropractic approach offers a natural and effective option to releasing any pain.
Schedule an Appointment at Petett Chiropractic
At Renton’s Petett Chiropractic, we believe that optimal health and wellness requires a holistic approach to care. Through a comprehensive regime of chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and our other treatment services, we focus on properly maintaining the body to improve its functions and prevent future injuries.
Give our Renton chiropractic center a call at (425) 277-2225 to schedule your next visit. Please don’t hesitate to ask us any questions regarding chronic pain not covered in this blog post.