Natural Pain Relief Strategies

By and large, the human body is an amazing machine. However, over the course of a lifetime, that machine can incur some wear and tear. And with wear and tear often comes pain. While there are many medications that exist to mitigate pain, more and more of us are turning to natural remedies for pain and incorporating holistic pain relief into a health-focused lifestyle. Some of our tried-and-true tips for all-natural pain relief include:

• Heat and ice

• Proper hydration

• Moderate exercise

• Meditation

• Float therapy

Heat and ice

There's no doubt that subjecting a sore spot to heat and cold is among the best natural pain relief strategies. No matter whether you're getting medical advice from a conventional doctor, a naturopath or your neighbor who's a nurse, the first line of defense to treat an injury or chronic pain will be an ice pack and a heat source. Along with just plain feeling good, ice numbs pain while heat provides comfort and relaxation. Put the two together and you have a holistic pain management system that's simple, accessible to everyone and effective.

Proper hydration

We're all told to drink our water—and most of us try with varying degrees of success—but we don't typically consider how dehydration can contribute to aches and pains. Water is needed for nearly all of the body's functions, and it can assist in natural chronic pain relief. Our joint cartilage is about 70%-80% water, and proper hydration can keep our joints happy, healthy and better able to absorb shocks. In addition, hydration, in conjunction with other diet and lifestyle choices, can help mitigate inflammation. Natural pain relief is just another reason to make sure you drink your daily allowance of H2O.

Moderate exercise

Given that we sometimes incur injuries during exercise, it can seem counterintuitive to cite getting a move on among natural remedies for pain. But medical professionals across all disciplines, methodologies and practices are in agreement that exercise is one of the best natural pain relief techniques you'll find anywhere. However, the type of exercise you choose is important. All-natural pain relief benefits lie in gentle aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming or cycling. Yoga occupies a sweet spot in the pantheon of natural remedies for pain with its combination of stretching and strengthening movements, breath control and meditation. The next time you're feeling stiff and sore, try and namaste your way to holistic pain relief with some gentle yoga.

Meditation

Speaking of meditation, as unorthodox as it might sound, studies have shown that by touching on some areas of the brain used to process pain, meditation can help provide natural pain relief. Research is ongoing as to how and why meditation is effective for some, but as part of an overall holistic pain management strategy, devoting time to the practice of mindfulness can be helpful. And with the proliferation of guided meditation apps, online videos, classes and even podcasts, it's never been easier or more accessible to meditate. 

Float therapy

You didn't think we were going to talk about natural pain management without mentioning the benefits of float therapy for pain, did you? The physical, mental and emotional benefits of floating have been studied and clinically shown—indeed, science is the foundation of Urban Float's mission and approach. Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, soreness from working out too hard or rehabbing an injury, floating is an excellent—and relaxing—means by which to experience all-natural pain relief. While the act of floating itself inside our specially designed float pods offers benefits, the addition of 1,200 pounds of Epsom salt to each fully filtered float also aids in natural pain management. Among natural remedies for pain, floating is good for body as well as mind and spirit—true holistic pain relief.