Pain Management: Source of Relief from Pain

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Pain Management: Source of Relief from Pain

 

1. Cold Applications This application often feels best on acute

injuries, where the pain is often hot to the touch or has a feeling

of heat radiating from it. Ice numbs the area, reducing pain. It also

constricts blood vessels, limiting blood supply to the injured site.

This action decreases swelling. Ice can also decrease muscle spasms.

If an area is painful to move or swells after exercise, use ice.

Apply ice or a frozen object, such as a bag of corn from the freezer,

to the injury. Be sure the area is protected from the cold

application and not applied directly to the skin. The cold will

reduce swelling and pain at the injured site. This step should be

done as soon as possible. Apply the frozen object to the area for 20

minutes, every two to three hours for the first 48 hours.

 

2. Hot Applications This application is often most affective for

chronic injuries or pain that is cold to the touch or has cold

radiating from it. It is very useful with injuries agitate by cold or

damp weather. Heat increases local blood supply, bringing healing

cells to the area and potentially relaxing tight muscles. Use moist,

hot towels or microwavable heat packs for no more than 10 to 15

minutes several times a day. Never sleep on a heating pad.

 

3. Anti-inflammatories from aspirin to herbal compresses, anti-

inflammatory applications can reduce the recovery time by half if

done within the first 24-48 hours of an injury or painful attack.

 

4. Lancing or Draining Abscesses, reducing swelling from painful

sprains and strains and toxic swellings from insect bites are all

very important reasons for lancing and draining an injured area. In

, cupping is done after the lancing to draw out the

blood from the area. This is a very affective method used to decrease

the amount of time it takes for the area to heal.

 

5. Rest This can be the best medicine for any condition from a cold

to a broken bone. Rest rejuvenates, repairs and reassembles. For

acute injury, rest and protect the injured area. If it hurts to bear

weight on the injury, use crutches, if it hurts to move the area

immobilize it with a splint.

 

6. Compression and elevation tend to go hand in hand. Compress the

injured site by applying an Ace bandage. This will decreases swelling

of the injured region. Although the wrap should be snug, make sure it

is not too tight as this can cause numbness, tingling, or increased

pain.

 

7. Elevation of the injured area above the level of the heart as much

as possible. This technique will also assist in reducing the amount

of swelling to the injured site.

 

8. Exercise conditioning and stretching certain pains can improve

from stretching such as painful stiff muscles and joints by

increasing blood flow to these areas. Weight baring exercises are

beneficial for improving strength and bone density. Restoring

movement and normal function to an injured area is critical. Learn to

stretch to improve your flexibility.

 

9. Dietary Changes So many aches and pains can be eliminated by the

proper foods we choose to eat. Weight gain affects our joints, heart,

circulation and blood pressure among other conditions. Change your

diet and change your life.

 

10. Root Cause Treatment Pain is the result of injury or disease.

With acute pain, the cause is often obvious. A fall resulting in a

painful scrape or twisted ankle. In chronic pain, often the pain has

been with you for so long, it is hard to pinpoint the real cause or

root cause of the disorder. Most alternative health therapies see the

occurence of disease as the results from an imbalance. The treating

of the root of primary cause of disease is what makes a root cause

treatment very affective in the long term. It does not just treat the

symptoms of that disease.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit