7 Nondrug Options For Pain Relief

U.S. soldiers and others dealing with chronic pain could find hope in a new study that found that nondrug therapies seem to reduce the pain and the risk of substance abuse or addiction and suicide, according to Eureka Alert!

The military men and women in the study who used nondrug therapies such as massage or acupuncture had a significantly lower risk in the onset of drug or alcohol dependence, poisoning with opioids or other narcotics, and with suicidal thoughts and attempts, as well.

Science-backed nondrug options for pain relief include acupuncture, massage, exercise, relaxation techniques and more.

More than 54 % of U.S. adults report having some type of musculoskeletal pain disorder such as joint, back or neck pain. And, time and again, conventional medicine fails to relieve that pain. 

Many of those suffering with constant pain have desperately tried every option offered by conventional medicine, including medications, injections and surgery, only to find that their pain hasn't gotten better. To further add to their misery, many end up struggling with treatment-induced side effects such as opioid addiction. For that reason, many turn to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, thinking they are safer, but that is not the case.

Nearly 70 million prescriptions for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are written each year in the U.S. and 30 billion doses are consumed, often for headaches, arthritis, back pain and menstrual pain.

Over 105,000 people are hospitalized each year from the side effects of NSAIDs and over 16,000 of those die. Consistent use of NSAIDs have also been linked to an increased risk of heart attack, with or without a previous history of heart disease.

You might be better off fighting pain and anxiety with a plant. Canadian researchers found the pain-relieving effects of the cannabis plant are 30 times more potent than aspirin for decreasing inflammation.

Low doses of CBD given to subjects for seven days were found to alleviate pain and anxiety, symptoms often associated in neuropathic or chronic pain, but without the side effects or potential of addiction from opioids.

Here are seven nondrug options that have been scientifically proven to help with pain relief:

1. Acupuncture — Study participants reported an average 50% reduction in pain, compared to a 28% pain reduction for standard pain treatment without acupuncture.
2. Massage Therapy — Massage therapy has been proven to relieve pain better than getting no treatment at all. 
3. Relaxation Techniques — Breathing exercises, guided imagery, meditation and other relaxation techniques may provide relief for those experiencing chronic pain or anxiety.
4. Exercise — Among people with back pain, those who exercised had a 25% to 40% lower risk of having another episode within a year than those who did no exercise. Strength exercises, aerobics, flexibility training and stretching were all beneficial, as was yoga.
5. Medical Marijuana — The cannabinoid receptors in your brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, immune system and more play an important role in many body processes, including metabolic regulation, cravings, pain, anxiety, bone growth and immune function.
6. Turmeric — This spice contains curcumin, and its long history of medicinal use usage dates back thousands of years, when its anti-inflammatory properties were known and used for pain relief.
7. Essential Oils for Pain Relief — Essential oils are concentrated, aromatic plant extracts that have been used for thousands of years for emotional, cosmetic, medical and even spiritual purposes. One of their most popular uses is also for relief of chronic and acute pain.