Living with a chronic pain condition is so hard and it can affect every aspect of your life. Simple things that you used to take for granted become very difficult and it can feel like your condition is really holding you back from doing the things that you want to do in life. That’s why it’s so important that you find ways to manage the pain so you can live life the fullest without the constant fear that pain will stop you. If you speak to a doctor, they will prescribe you some medication, but a lot of people don’t like that option. Strong pain medication can be very addictive and it has a lot of side effects, like drowsiness and nausea, so it can be just as debilitating as the pain condition is. The good news is, there are other alternatives to these strong painkillers that don’t carry the risk of addiction and do not have the same serious side effects. These are some of the best natural remedies to help manage chronic pain conditions.

Exercise

People tend to think that exercise is a bad idea as it will make your pain worse, but that is not usually the case. Most people find that exercise helps to improve their situation because you release endorphins, which act as natural painkillers when you exercise. That means that you should see a reduction in pain if you stay active. However, it is important that you start out slowly and find low impact exercises, like walking and swimming, so you can stay active and get your heart rate up without putting too much stress on your body and making the pain worse.

Marijuana And CBD

Marijuana and CBD products are a very popular alternative pain relief remedy and although there is not a huge amount of research into it, a lot of people report that they find regular use of marijuana or CBD to be more effective than painkillers with fewer side effects. Marijuana can be smoked as cigarettes or using smoking pipes, or alternatively, you can take it orally in edible form. If you live in an area where marijuana is not legal, you can use CBD products instead. They come in so many different forms, like edible sweets, capsules, and oil that can be dropped on the tongue.

Essential Oils Help Manage Chronic Pain Conditions

Essential oils are an important part of alternative medicine, and there are lots that are great for pain relief. Things like wintergreen, lavender, and peppermint have all been shown to help with pain. You can use them in a variety of ways, like massaging them into the skin, making them into a bath soak, or using a diffuser.

Meditation

Often, a large part of chronic pain is mental rather than physical. That is why meditation is such an effective way to help you manage pain. Regular meditation sessions have been shown to reduce pain, and they can also help to manage the stress and anxiety that is caused by chronic pain conditions. Even a 5 minute daily meditation can make a huge difference, so make sure to add it to your daily routine.

These are all great natural remedies for chronic pain conditions so you do not have to rely on strong painkillers with lots of nasty side effects. 

If you haven’t felt it for yourself, you’ve likely heard someone blame their joint pain on the rain or cold. Is arthritis and weather really connected? If so, how? It has been said for centuries that cold, stormy, or even sudden rises in the humidity levels can cause extra pain deep in the muscles, joints, or bones. However, is this pure speculation based on old wives tales, or a scientifically proven fact with evidence that arthritis joint pain and the weather are connected?

Several scientists have asked this question and have done studies that have proven that certain people can, in fact, feel a connection to weather through their old injuries, arthritis, or age. One study, done by scientists at The University of Manchester, is titled “Cloudy With a Chance of Pain” and provides evidence specifically to this natural phenomenon.

Many people struggle with this and wonder if it’s a true feeling or just their imagination playing tricks on them. This article will explain how weather does affect arthritis pain and how you can take measures to prevent and ease that discomfort.

Joint Pain and The Weather: The Connection

This connection between joint pain and the weather is not new. It has been around for quite some time. The first mention of a connection between arthritis and weather that are recorded are from the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. He claimed that “those who wish to understand medicine need only look at the changing seasons of the year and study the prevailing winds.”

He makes it sound so simple, but since then studies have proven that three major types of weather change causes sometimes severe pain.

1. Cold Temperatures

Several people report being able to feel when an extreme cold front is coming and they certainly can. Cold weather is one of the worst triggers for arthritis due to the fact that the cold changes human blood flow.

The human body is designed to keep itself warm which is an average temp of 98.6°F. When cold air is coming to the body automatically goes into this must keep warm mode and can cause the blood flow to be re-routed from limbs and joints to more vital organs like the heart and lungs!

2. Arthritis and Barometric Pressure

Most commonly known as “air pressure, barometric pressure truly can affect the limbs and joints. This is why pain can increase when conditions are humid, rainy, or suddenly hot or cold due to weather fronts.

Seasons also affect barometric pressure especially in the winter when it gets really cold.

Arthritis is super sensitive to seasonal changes because the cartilage cushioning the bone inside of the joint is extremely worn. This causes the nerves to be exposed and severely sensitive to any type of weather or pressure change.

3. Less Activity

Much like seasonal barometric pressure extreme heat or cold can cause people to naturally become less active. When joints and bones that suffer from wear and tear or arthritis pain become still and stiff for long periods of time they become even more inflamed and in pain.

This is why if you suffer from joint or limb pain it is vitally important to get moving at least a few minutes every day. Try a Zumba class, walk on the treadmill, or schedule a daily aerobics class. Find something that you enjoy and truly stick to it.

How to Treat Joint and Limb Pain

Even though the weather will unavoidably affect arthritis flare-ups for some people there are a few things you can do in order to treat and ease the pain so that it is more bearable.

1. Be Active

As stated above being active is one of the best ways to keep the blood flow steadily flowing in order to reduce pain.

Activities do not have to necessarily be high impact. Simply riding a stationary bike for twenty minutes a day can do wonders for improving joint pain and increase overall fitness levels.

2. Take Vitamins

If you spend a lot of time indoors it is important to take a Vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D is essential to the joints and bones!

However, taking a multivitamin daily will give you enough Vitamin D but if you don’t there are plenty of Vitamin D supplements on the market!

Another great way to improve joint and bone health is fish oil. Fish oil is full of Omega 3’s which are proven to decrease inflammation.

3. Collagen Peptides

So what exactly are collagen peptides? Let’s break it down.

Collagen is a vital protein for the body. It is the major building block for hair, nails, skin, bones, and joints. Peptides are little pieces of the protein made up of amino acids.

When joined together collagen peptides are like a soothing superglue that can effectively treat and soothe joint breakdown. Not only does it soothe the joint break down but it stimulates the tissue to create more cartilage. It truly treats the problem not only soothes it.

Other benefits of adding some Collagen Peptide powder to your glass of water is hair, skin, and nail health. Drink a glass a day and it will help you in more ways than one!

      4. Heat

Heat is a definite way to soothe aching joints.

Simply take a long hot relaxing bath or take a soak in the hot tub to feel instant relief. Although heat is a great way to soothe the pain it’s important to keep in mind that it is a temporary fix.

If you find you have severe pain in one main area it can be effective to use a heating pad. Just place the heating pad to the aching area for twenty minutes. By directing the heat to that one area you are causing deeper relaxation which causes optimal comfort.

Don’t Let Joint Pain And The Weather Hold You Back

Although arthritis and weather can go hand in hand it’s important to prepare to treat it so that you don’t miss out on all the adventures life has to offer.

Joint pain can be incredibly painful and there is no definite cure for every person yet. That is why it extremely important to listen and learn your body.

Maybe you had severe pain the last time that big snowstorm was approaching or maybe you could feel that thunderstorm rolling in. Whatever it may be, knowing your own triggers can better help you know how to prepare for joint pain and the weather how to treat it.

As for treating joint and arthritis pain try it all! These tips are a great place to start and soon you will know exactly what works best for you so that you can conquer every adventure that life has to offer!