When we hear about drug abuse, often we think of illegal drugs, but the reality is that a high percentage of drug abuse is caused by legal drugs, namely painkillers. Studies show that on average, there is a quarter of a million people in the UK that are addicted to painkillers as well as other prescription drugs. Often, these addictions are caused accidentally when trying to deal with chronic pain, such as chronic back pain, for instance. That’s why when it comes to managing chronic pain, finding natural alternatives to painkillers like co-codamol is worth looking into. Obviously, no one likes to be in pain, which is why painkillers are so useful for dealing with chronic pain, but if there are natural alternatives that can be used alongside painkillers, then it’s worth giving them a try, isn’t it? If you suffer from chronic pain, here are some suggestions that you might like to try for natural alternatives to painkillers or to use alongside them.

Get those endorphins working

Our bodies are amazing, they really are. Did you know that we have the ability to create natural painkillers ourselves called endorphins? How endorphins work is that they bind the opioid receptors in the brain, preventing us from feeling pain. These work in the same way that many painkillers like paracetamol and co-codamol work. Endorphins are only released when you’re active though, so to get these natural painkillers working, first, you need to work up a bit of a sweat.

Give massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, or have acupuncture

There’s a lot of evidence that suggests that alternative medicine like massage therapy, seeing a chiropractor, or having acupuncture can help to relieve pain and discomfort in both the long-term and the short-term. Take massage therapy as an example; this works because it helps to relax the body while diminishing the body’s perception of pain, with the results lasting from a few hours to a few days. While chiropractors are able to use manipulation of certain areas to help reduce discomfort and pain, meaning that you won’t need to use as many painkillers. Alternative medicine can be incredibly successful when it comes to alleviating pain; it’s just a case of seeing what works best for you.

Try essential oils and hot baths

For thousands of years, in many cultures, essential oils have been used to help reduce pain and discomfort. This is because essential oils can help with relaxation, and when the body relaxes so do the muscles which helps to reduce the pain that is being felt. Essential oils can be used in many ways; they can be breathed in, rubbed into the skin, or dropped into a hot bath. Using essential oils and hot water together can be particularly beneficial as the combination of the warm water and relaxing scent helps to alleviate pain more effectively than either method on its own.

So there you have it, some examples of natural alternatives to painkillers that can be used to help manage chronic pain without the use of so many painkillers.

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