5 Tips for Holistic Pain Relief

While many people suffer from chronic pain, it can especially take its toll on the elderly. There are many holistic approaches that are accessible and easy to incorporate into your everyday life. These methods address various aspects including physical, mental, and emotional well-being, check out our favorites:

Mind-Body Techniques

Meditation has been proven to help reduce stress and improve pain management. This can look different for many people—some find using an app such as Headspace to be helpful through guided Meditation while others enjoy the simplicity of deep breathing exercises to promote relaxation and reduce tension.

Physical Activity

Engaging in low impact exercises like swimming or walking can help improve flexibility and strengthen muscles without putting excessive strain on joints. There are also lots of balance and coordination exercises that you can do at home—activities like these will keep the body and blood flow moving to help alleviate pain.

Nutrition

We know that proper nutrition has a wealth of benefits, but did you know that eating foods rich in anti-inflammatories can help with pain management too? Concentrate on foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants—such as fatty fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods aid in decreasing inflammation, which can support both acute injuries and chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis.

Hydration

Staying properly hydrated becomes increasingly important as we age, especially in aiding pain management. Our bodies need water to run properly, some key benefits from staying hydrated include: decreased inflammation, joints staying properly lubricated, and ensuring adequate blood flow to our muscles.

Heat Therapy

Hot therapies are becoming increasingly popular and with the wealth of benefits heat provides, there’s no surprise as to why. Heat therapy helps loosen the muscles, increase blood flow, and increase flexibility. Taking a hot bath or spending some time in a sauna can be a great way to relieve the pains associated with arthritis.