Top Tips To Help Soothe Chronic or Acute Pain Without Medication

It’s not a secret that prescribed medicine can have a knock on effect giving you other side affects.  For me that main side affect is stomach pain which leads me to taking more meds to counteract that.  Where does it stop?  I decided a long time ago that if I don’t REALLY need my pain killers that I wouldn’t take them which lead me down the route of a different path.  Threw my research and trial/error I have gotten myself into a routine of using different methods in aid of keeping the flare ups at bay.  These are things I personally do/use on a daily/weekly basis that work for me.  I have included recommendations on were to buy at the end.  

Baths

Not only are baths peaceful and soothing they can also really help with some deep seeded pain.  Heat therapy is the one thing that really works for me.  Submerging your body in hot water will help ease tight muscles and relax your body.  I swear by baths so much I recently had a new large one installed so I could stretch and really get the full potential a bath has to give.  Saunas and Jacuzzi also obviously work in the same way with the jets of a Jacuzzi moving water to various parts of your body, this will release endorphin's which are your body’s natural pain relievers.  

Radox Muscle Soak with Thyme 

Radox bath salts are a know remedy for muscle pain but until recently it was thought to be folklore.  The product includes Epsom salt and its main component is magnesium.  Magnesium can be soaked up via the skin in a bath and helps by flushing lactic build up in muscles, helps the body absorb vitamins and helps regulate the muscle/nerve function.  A personal pet peeve of mine regarding Radox Salts is the packaging is made of cardboard so if you get it near water it falls apart.  I keep mine in a jar to keep my OCD at bay.  

Sun

I know its not always possible just when I am in the sun its like the veil of pain is lifted.  Vitiam D which we get from the sun is essential for muscle movement, communication between nerves and fighting against inflammation.  You can of course take Vitiam D supplements instead but for me the effect isn't as strong.  Always wear the right amount of sun protection needed.  

Eye Masks/Ear Plugs

With my condition I often get sensitivity to light and sound which usually leads to an intense headache.  I counter this when I can by turning everything off and sticking on a eye mask with ear plugs.  A heated mask is even better!  My husband will tell you this is one of the more annoying symptoms of my condition as I tell him off for speaking loudly when really he is just talking normal.  

Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets are a relatively new thing and they come at a cost.  The blankets are filled with pellets and the pressure caused from this helps the body produce serotonin and endorophons which help the body feel more relaxed or calm.  In turn they can help treat stress, physical discomfort and sleeplessness.  You can also fold up the blanket and put it on a painful targeted area for pressure. 

Hot Water Bottles

You mighty be thinking at this point, OK yes this is common sense.  Yes hot water bottles soothe the muscles but they can also heal damaged tissue. Applying heat to the affected pain area will improve circulation/blood flow in the area which increases the temperature leading to less discomfort and increased muscle flexibility.  Heat therapy unlike cold therapy works better the longer it is on the affected area.  For severe pain 30 mins to 2 hours works best.  A word of warming please dont fill your hot water bottle too full.  I fill mine less than half way and squeeze the air out before putting lid back on.  When I was 15 I had a hot water bottle explode on my bare legs leading to second degree burns from my knees to my waist.  I only started using them again in the last two years fourteen years later.  

Thank You for reading and hope my tips bring you some comfort.

Please let me know if you have any more suggestions for me!

Lisa xx

Fibromyalgia Suffer 

Recommendations

Favourite Spas - Lough Erne Resort - Galgorm

Bath Salts - Bath Salts

Eye Mask - Eye Mask

Eye Plugs - Ear Plugs

Hot Water Bottle  - Hot water bottle

Weighted Blanket - Weighted Blanket