LFH Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Does anyone have any non-chemical suggestions for pain management? Particularly with regard to non-responsive headaches as well as joint pain. I've tried yoga and relaxation techniques but I'm willing to try just about anything you've got. Link to post Share on other sites
Feelin Frisky Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 I'm seeing a pain mgmt doc. He prescribed a back brace--which I only wear sparingly when I'm really suffering--a home electrical stimulator (which happens to keep turning itself off if you don't criss-cross the electrode pads perfectly which seems to be impossible on the foot where I need it). However, the elctrical stim really works for a variety of pain in other areas of the body. Only the ones that off so-called "interferential current" seen to really work for me though. I also get physical therapy where they have professional level machines that deliver steady interferential current without the self alarm shut down that keeps my home unit a lacking device. Any good pain doctor would diagnose what is at issue. I have stenosis in my spine in two places and another treatment I've gotten is epidural steroid injections right in the spine. Those work for quite a while by shrinking any swelling and herniation and lowering inflammation. Dude won't give me any pain meds though. Link to post Share on other sites
Author LFH Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 Thank you. I'll look into that. I have meds I CAN take but they basically steal the day away from me and I'd rather find alternatives I can use whenever possible. Link to post Share on other sites
Feelin Frisky Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Thank you. I'll look into that. I have meds I CAN take but they basically steal the day away from me and I'd rather find alternatives I can use whenever possible. Joint pain can come from a lot o things. My sister is a vegetarian and suffers all kinds of joint pains. I suspect she doesn't get enough protein. But that's just my suspicion. Not all meds get you looped. Perhaps a fibromyalgia drug like Lyrica or Cymbalta might do the trick. They are not opiates or sedatives. Link to post Share on other sites
ufo8mycat Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 I am not sure how easy it is to find but the book outside of australia but manage your pain is highly recommended and outlines the strategies used in the best practice adapt program Clinical resources - PMRI - The University of Sydney None on them involve drugs. Let me know if you have any issues finding it. I went through the program a few years ago for chronic persistent headaches and have been off any medication since. Although it s a lot of work to get the various strategies working for you Link to post Share on other sites
Author LFH Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 I am not sure how easy it is to find but the book outside of australia but manage your pain is highly recommended and outlines the strategies used in the best practice adapt program Clinical resources - PMRI - The University of Sydney None on them involve drugs. Let me know if you have any issues finding it. I went through the program a few years ago for chronic persistent headaches and have been off any medication since. Although it s a lot of work to get the various strategies working for you Thank you, I found a used copy on amazon. I will check it out. Link to post Share on other sites
Mina Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Yoga helps. After a month or so my runner's knee was gone. Link to post Share on other sites
Anela Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Coconut oil, although tylenol helps my headaches. I hardly experience pain in my legs (starting in the knees) anymore. Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 My aunt who is 80 changed her diet to the anti-inflammatory diet because she complained her whole body hurt and she was tired of taking pharmaceuticals that did nothing. It changed her life. You'd have to google it because I'm not sure what it involves other than avoiding sugar. You'd never guess she was 80 -- lots of energy to exercise three times per week and great skin. I've been thinking of trying it myself but I am such a sugar addict that I'm afraid I'd end up like Frank Sinatra in . Link to post Share on other sites
todreaminblue Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Does anyone have any non-chemical suggestions for pain management? Particularly with regard to non-responsive headaches as well as joint pain. I've tried yoga and relaxation techniques but I'm willing to try just about anything you've got. Increased water consumption, I honestly didnt know that thsi woudl work ...it worked for me i have joint and stress injuries, it didnt take it completely away it did relieve some of the pain. Link to post Share on other sites
th90 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Does anyone have any non-chemical suggestions for pain management? Particularly with regard to non-responsive headaches as well as joint pain. I've tried yoga and relaxation techniques but I'm willing to try just about anything you've got. Acupuncture! Especially for headaches and chronic pains. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
dreamingoftigers Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 I have stenosis in my spine in two places and another treatment I've gotten is epidural steroid injections right in the spine. Those work for quite a while by shrinking any swelling and herniation and lowering inflammation. Dude won't give me any pain meds though. Omg, no pain meds for stenosis! Wow! My MIL has spinal stenosis too, have you looked into treatments in a BC clinic for it, apparently they do excellent work. The surgery is quick etc and relieves the pressure. Link to post Share on other sites
amaysngrace Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Hot baths with Epsom salt. You need to use a lot of salt...I usually get three or four baths from the half gallon carton. Maybe even only two. Make the water as hot as you can handle it and get out of the tub before the water starts to cool. Right before bed is best. FYI if you're getting loopy from medication you're being overmedicated. Pain medication only goes to your head if it has no pain to go to. Maybe break your pills in half and let your doctor know the dosage is too strong. Link to post Share on other sites
Author LFH Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 Acupuncture! Especially for headaches and chronic pains. I will look into acupuncture. It might be contraindicated but it's worth looking into, thank you! Hot baths with Epsom salt. You need to use a lot of salt...I usually get three or four baths from the half gallon carton. Maybe even only two. Make the water as hot as you can handle it and get out of the tub before the water starts to cool. Right before bed is best. FYI if you're getting loopy from medication you're being overmedicated. Pain medication only goes to your head if it has no pain to go to. Maybe break your pills in half and let your doctor know the dosage is too strong. I probably am, the problem is narcotics of any kind make me a mess, and nothing else touches the pain most of the time. I do usually take half a dose and it still knocks me out cold. I think I'm down to pediatric doses. I'll try the epson salts though! take care of the real issue that cause you the pain. have good relationships with people, forgive drink a lot of water be vegetarian do what is healthy ,and sport take morning walks in the nature and trust in God There is no "taking care" of the real issue, trust me I'd have done that. You can't fix stuff that can't be fixed. I do drink lots of water. I love to walk and I try to as often as I can. If you have any vegetarian recipes that you could share I'd love to have them, I just can't move to a pure veg diet. Vegetarianism won't work for me, although I do eat a very healthy diet, I need much more protein and higher caloric count than I could get with a vegetarian diet. I do eat lots of fruits and vegetables though. I'm really blessed in the people that are involved in my life. Positive, healthy outlooks overall. Thank you for your input!!! All of you. I have written all these down and plan to discuss with my dr. Link to post Share on other sites
Disenchantedly Yours Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 I think meditation is an under-rated but effective tool. My brother went through some health stuff recently and it did a number to my anxiety level. But meditation has been a blessing. I also would suggest accupucture. I haven't done that but I know people that have and I've heard nothing but great things from it. Link to post Share on other sites
Author LFH Posted January 27, 2013 Author Share Posted January 27, 2013 Thank you. I've been doing some meditation, it helps a bit with the headaches if I can "catch it" in time. Does anyone have any good meditation cd's or specific techniques that help keep them "in the zone" so to speak? When pain edges in I lose my focus and that kind of negates the whole thing. Link to post Share on other sites
seren Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 LFH, sometimes only opiates will take away the pain (Lupus, Fibromyalgia) and I take them only when all else fails. I have started on adding magnesium and a multi vitamin to my daily meds and they help with inflamation. I used to put a menthol cream on my forehead for headaches, sometimes rubbing it into my scalp for those all over aches, I also learned and got H to learn how to best massage my head when I had pain. I also learned a few gentle stretching techniques that helped with pain relief. I hate taking drugs, and am surpirsed I don't rattle when I walk, but using alternative methods and only resorting to the meds is helping - sort of. I hate how restricting pain is, I have tried a Tens machine, didn't help me, but some swear by them, I also use a McTimmoney Chiropractor and he is brilliant, gently pops what needs popping and is wonderful for straightening out my bones, it is surprising how this helps with non bone pain. x Link to post Share on other sites
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