Before taking over the-counter pain relievers, try these things first

1
Before Taking Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers,
Try These Things First

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2
Pain is something were all familiar with. It
presents in a variety of different ways, and with
a variety of characteristics. And while pain may
have a very physical manifestation, it is
acknowledged to be a complex physiological and
psychologist phenomenon. The reaction to pain is
highly subjective, and is influenced by a variety
of factors.

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3
. We know that actual nociception (the sensory
nervous systems response to harmful stimuli), is
at least partially controlled by psychological,
social, and situational factors. Furthermore, the
perception of intensity of pain differs from
person to person. Despite these factors, all pain
is typically managed the same way.

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4
Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever every
once in a while, like Aleve or Tylenol, for rapid
relief is okay. However, most don't know that
there is an upper limit to the use of
painkillers, and taking them more than the
recommended amount may actually cause rebound
headaches.

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5
Ibuprofen and Naproxen (Advil/Aleve) should be
used at most 10 days/month, and Acetaminophen
(Tylenol) no more than 15 days/month. Pain
relievers are not intended for long-term relief,
and far too often the underlying medical cause
for the pain succumbs to self-medicated rather
than being addressed.

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6
Contrary to what you might believe,
over-the-counter pain relievers will not work for
every type of pain we might experience.
Further-more, long-term use of NSAIDS has been
shown to increase risks for heart disease,
hearing, inflammatory bowel disease, and kidney
function.

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7
NSAIDs, especially at high doses, have been shown
to increase blood pressure, as well as increased
your risk for heart attack and stroke.

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8
Aside from over-the-counter pain relievers, there
are a number of other natural ways to combat
pain, depending on the underlying causes and
symptoms one is experiencing. Some of the more
common natural ways to treat pain include

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9
Meditation High levels of stress can lead to
more muscle tension, as well as trigger
headaches, reduce immune responses, and cause
various body aches and pain. We see the art of
meditation work quite successfully in the process
of child birth.

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10
. A significantly amount of literature confirms a
more relaxed state lowers the autonomic nervous
system response and decreases the perception of
pain. Learning how to mediate to alleviate stress
could very help reduce or control the perception
of physical pain.

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11
Acupuncture Contrary to autonomic relaxation,
acupuncture is an example of a counter stimulus
therapy used to manage pain. Originally indicated
to restore balance by inserting minute needles
into specific locations on the body, acupuncture
has been found to be effective in treating neck
pain, back pain, fibromyalgia pain, post-surgery
pain, arthritis

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12
and headaches, including migraines. A large
review of literature confirmed 70 efficacy of
pain management with acupuncture compared to
placebo (1), and provided analgesic relief in
55-85 of patient with chronic pain, compared to
medications like

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13
morphine, which has 70 efficacy (2). Needles can
be inserted along meridians, directly into
trigger points, or by a technique known as dry
needling.

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14
Exercise Light to moderate exercise can help
reduce pain. Yoga, for instance, is a great
solution to help reduce pain associated with
arthritis, muscle tension, as well as back and
upper body pain. Tai chi is another form of
exercise that can also be used to reduce pain and
discomfort associated with various disorders,
like fibromyalgia.

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15
It has also been shown to have tremendous effects
on mood and ability to handle stress. One must be
mindful to not push through pain when engaging in
exercise for pain relief.

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16
Curcumin A member of the ginger family and the
major chemical component of turmeric, this spice
has numerous clinic trials confirming its
anti-inflammatory properties in the management of
pain relief and reduction. Curcumin has been
shown to downregulate and

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even inhibit the formation of pro-inflammatory
genes and cytokines (3), and Ive personally seen
it effectively manage everything from arthritic
pain to inflammatory bowel disease
(Crohns/Colitis). Curcumin is best absorbed with
fat, and can be added to sauces and foods you eat,

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drank as a traditional tea know as golden milk,
or can be taken in supplement form (always ask
your ND for advice on choosing an effective
curcumin product, as most wont be absorbed).

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19
Increase Intake of Omega 3 Omega 3 fatty acids,
particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) can help
reduce levels of chronic inflammation and pain
perception. These fatty acids are precursors to
protective prostaglandins, and have been shown to
change ratios of prostaglandins associated with
chronic inflammation (4).

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20
They are found in highest concentrations of fish
and certain nuts and seeds, such as pumpkin seeds
and flax. It has also been found to be an
effective way to lower the pain and discomfort
associated with various types of arthritis, slow
tumor growth, and improve depression scores!

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21
Its generally advised to have minimum 1000 mg
daily combined EPADHA for maintenance of general
health, and closer to 3-4 g daily for pain
modulation and cardiovascular health. Once again,
talk to your ND about what fish oil is right for
you, as fatty acids come from numerous sources,
are subjected to a number of different extraction
methods, and spoil easily.

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22
As you can see, there are numerous effective
natural ways to treat pain that do not require
taking an over-the-counter pain relievers.
Remember, supplementation with some of the
aforementioned therapies is not always safe for
everyone, especially those on blood thinning
medication.

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23
To discover if any of these therapies are right
for you, or to discuss more ways to alleviate
pain naturally, please feel contact Dr. Courtney
Holmberg, ND at 647-351-7282 to schedule a
consultation today!Source- http//www.courtneyh
olmbergnd.ca/blog/before-taking-over-the-counter-p
ain-relievers-try-these-things-first

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