7 Powerful Remedies for Severe Chronic Pain Relief

Suffering from chronic pain? It can be debilitating and overwhelming, but there are ways to find relief. From massage therapy and physical exercise to diet changes and prescription medications, here are nine strategies that may help you manage your chronic pain.

Get Gentle Exercise

Exercise can help improve your chronic pain symptoms. It gets your circulation moving, helps release endorphins that alleviate pain and relaxes tense muscles. However, if you have severe chronic pain, try to stick with gentle exercise and low-impact activities like walking or swimming. Talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise program and make sure to take plenty of rest breaks when you need them.

Try Swedish Massage

Swedish massage can be an effective tool for those suffering from chronic pain. Designed to promote a sense of relaxation, it involves long, gentle strokes that help relieve muscle tension and improve the body's overall circulation.

This form of massage is known to improve range of motion, reduce stress hormones, release endorphins, relax tight muscles and bolster any existing treatment plans like physical therapy or chiropractic care.The end result is improved circulation which brings oxygen to all of your body's organs, allowing cells and tissues to repair more quickly or even prevent discomfort from occurring in the first place.

Use Hot and Cold Therapy

Hot and cold therapy can be a great way to reduce swelling and induce blood flow in the body. Try alternating hot and cold compresses or wraps on painful areas for about 20 minutes at a time for best results. You can also purchase reusable, gel-filled packs that you can keep in the freezer so they are always ready when you need them.

Take a Break from Sitting or Lying Down

Chronic pain can make it difficult to find comfortable positions. For example, too much sitting or lying down can cause joint stiffness, while getting up too fast can cause pain and dizziness. The best strategy is to mix up your activity level and position throughout the day. Take small resting breaks every few hours and switch between sitting, lying down and standing. Also be sure to get plenty of sleep at night by focusing on relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and visualization before bedtime.

Stretching

Stretching is one of the easiest and most effective exercises to reduce chronic pain. Stretches help to improve flexibility, which can reduce muscle tension and make it easier to move around without feeling achy or stiff. Start by standing up straight and stretching each body part — shoulders, arms, neck, back and legs. Engage your muscles as you hold each stretch for about 15-20 seconds. You may want to perform these stretches multiple times throughout the day for best results.

Essential oils are known for their calming, therapeutic benefits, and can be used to help reduce inflammation in the body. Massaging essential oils into sore and aching muscles can help increase circulation and decrease pain. Try combining essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and gently massage it into affected areas several times a day.

Therapeutic massage for pain relief

Massage therapy is another great option for reducing muscular aches and pains, as it helps to stimulate circulation, increase blood flow and flexibility, reduce stress, and relax tense muscles. A research report published in the Annals of Family Medicine in 2014 determined that regular 60-minute massage sessions for four weeks benefited those with chronic neck pain more than not receiving massage or fewer or shorter sessions. It's a great option for middle- aged and older individuals seeking a friendly, relaxing way to alleviate chronic neck pain.

Consider booking an appointment with a qualified massage therapist who can assess your individual needs, or alternatively take a friend along and ask them to do a self-massage with aromatic oils.