Preventive Wellness
Holistic Pain Management: Natural Healing Secrets | PreWell Deep Dive Podcast | Episode 7
Discover the power of holistic approaches to pain management in this insightful episode of PreWell Deep Dive. Learn how natural therapies like acupuncture, herbal medicine, yoga, meditation, and lifestyle adjustments can help relieve chronic pain without relying on medications. Unlock the secrets to a pain-free life using mind-body healing techniques and alternative medicine. Tune in now for expert insights!
#PainManagement #HolisticHealing #NaturalPainRelief #AlternativeMedicine #ChronicPain #MindBodyHealing #WellnessJourney #Acupuncture #YogaForPain #HealthyLiving
Welcome to our Deep dive you guys uh you shared some really great sources on natural pain relief and I am excited to explore them with you it's uh it's pretty amazing actually like how much attention holistic pain management is getting these days right definitely it really does um speak to I think a growing desire to move Beyond just masking symptoms you know which is you know a core principle of holistic pain management it's about treating the whole person not just the you know the physical right so just reaching for a pill bottle right you're really trying to understand all of the factors and um one of the things that I thought was interesting is that emotions and like mental well-being you know like it can actually impact pain absolutely and I don't think people always realize that it's not just about like the physical Sensations no at all I mean think about it stress can make your backache worse right and then anxiety can amplify headaches so holistic pain management you know recognizes that mindbody connection it's really important okay so before we get too far I think it's important for us to all be on the same page about the different types of pain that we might be dealing with sure right because there's acute pain and then there's chronic pain and it can get a confusing yeah so you've got acute pain which is that short sharp burst of pain think you like uh sprained ankle something like that it's your body's alarm system like hey pay attention something's wrong yeah right yeah and then there's chronic pain which I I know is a little bit more complex right chronic pain is that pain that hangs around for longer than 3 months and often you know it's tied to ongoing conditions like arthritis or you know other things like that and then you've got neuropathic pain which is caused by nerve damage and then inflammatory pain which is driven by well inflammation in the body okay so it sounds like understanding what kind of pain you're dealing with is like the first step in figuring out how to approach it holistically exactly like choos the right tool for the job right ABS um speaking of tools one of the things that really caught my eye was just how powerful the mind can be yeah in managing pain and I know that you know we were talking about meditation and mindfulness is that stuff for real or is it just hype I mean there's actually solid science behind it you know meditation especially mindfulness can actually change how your brain processes pain signals and it's not about ignoring the pain it's more about shifting your focus and calming your nervous system so I was reading about how mindfulness meditation can actually reduce activity in the parts of the brain associated with pain right I think is so fascinating it's like you're training your brain you are react differently exactly it's not just wishful thinking it's about rewiring those neural Pathways and there are you know the different types of meditation too you know you've got guided meditation body scan meditation where you focus on each part of your body yeah you know they all can help you become more aware of sensation without judgment okay so that's meditation what about things like yoga and taii um those have always seemed you know a little bit too Zen for me right but I know people swear by them for pain relief I mean are they worth exploring they absolutely are because what they do is they combine movement breath work and a meditative element all together okay so yoga for instance can really help with flexibility and strength which is key you know if you're dealing with pain especially back pain I was reading that even gentle yoga can reduce inflammation and improve Mobility right exactly and with taiichi it's all about like those flowing movements and I could see how that could help with balance and coordination too exactly and don't forget about biof feedback that one always blows my mind you're basically learning to control your body's responses by monitoring things like heart rate and muscle tension yeah I read that some people use biof feedback to manage migraines and even like irritable bowel syndrome it seems like you're control back from your pain which is empowering yeah so we've got all these cool mindbody techniques but what about natural remedies I know you were like a wealth of knowledge when it comes to herbs and stuff well first of all remember that herbs have been used for pain relief for centuries so it's not some new fad right yeah turmeric for instance is having a moment but it's been used in ayurvedic medicine for ages and it's the curcumin the active ingredient in turmeric that's getting all the the attention right and I was reading about how curcumin can actually block certain enzymes that contribute to inflammation so it's like Nature's ibuprofen it is and then there's Ginger which seems to be good for everything Ginger is fantastic especially for muscle pain and nausea it's a warming herb so it can increase circulation and then you've probably heard of willow bark which is basically Nature's aspirin oh yeah it contains salicin which is very similar to the active ingredient in Aspirin and what about boso I think I saw that in one of the articles that you would sent boswellia is great for joint pain so it's often used for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis it's been shown to reduce inflammation and improve Mobility wow so many options and we haven't even touched on essential oils I know which I have to admit I'm kind of obsessed with yeah can you actually use those for pain relief or is that just aromatherapy hype they're not a cure all but they can definitely be helpful okay lavender for instance can be very calming and easy tension headaches peppermint oil can soothe sore muscles eucalyptus can open up your Airways if you're feeling congested it's about finding the right scent for the right issue I was reading about how some people use clove oil for toothaches yeah which sounds kind of intense it does but intriguing at the same time well clove oil has numbing properties so it's actually been used in dentistry for ages oh wow but like any essential oil you want to use it carefully and dilute it properly good point yeah now I have to ask about acupuncture I'm intrigued by it but those needles I don't know if I'm brave enough acupuncture and its cousin acupressure are both based on traditional Chinese medicine and they work with the body's energy meridians so acupuncture uses needles while acupressure uses finger pressure to stimulate specific points and get energy flowing properly and it can be surprisingly effective for all sorts of pain so you're basically tapping into the body's own healing system you are yeah and I was reading about how acupuncture can trigger the release of endorphins absolutely like those natural painkillers yeah yeah that's pretty cool it is cool and it's not just about pain relief either it can help with everything from stress reduction to sleep Improvement Okay so we've talked about Mind Body techniques and natural remedies yeah but I'm starting to realize that what you eat probably plays a huge role in managing pain too right absolutely there's a reason we hear so much about anti-inflammatory diets these days what you put into your body can either fuel inflammation or fight it okay we're back and uh ready to dive into part two of our Deep dive into holistic pain management we've covered a lot of ground already but I'm really eager to kind of get even more practical like how do we actually apply all this amazing information yeah to our lives especially when you know we're dealing with pain in the moment you're right it's all about you know making this knowledge actionable so let's start with meditation one of the simplest techniques and honestly one of the most powerful is mindful breathing okay you can do this anywhere anytime uhhuh just find a comfortable position close your eyes and focus on your breath it seems almost too simple I know but I remember reading about a study where mindful breathing actually helped people manage chronic back pain great like something about how it calms the nervous system it does it's like hitting the pause button on your stress response yeah and as you practice you might find that you can use mindful breathing to cope with pain flares too okay so that's breathing what about those specific meditation techniques we talked about before like body scan meditation do walk us through that absolutely so imagine you're lying down oh and you're slowly bringing your attention to each part of your body from your toes to the top of your head yeah you're not trying to change anything just noticing the sensations it's amazing how much tension we hold with even realizing it yeah I tried that once and I was so surprised by how much I was clenching my jaw right it's like becoming more aware of your body can help you release some of that pent up stress that might be contributing to your pain absolutely and remember there are tons of guided meditations available online and through apps you don't have to do this alone good point now let's move on to yoga I'm definitely feeling inspired to dust off my yoga mat after hearing you talk about it oh um Are there specific poses that are particularly helpful for pain relief oh absolutely so child's pose is a great one for gentle back stretches and it can also be very calming then you've got cat Cow pose which is amazing for spinal Mobility okay and of course downward facing dog is a classic for a reason yeah it stretches the hamstrings calves and even your shoulders Okay so we've got gentle stretches what about strength building I was reading that core strength is really important for back pain it is is that something you can work on with yoga definitely so plank pose is fantastic for core strength okay and there are variations you can do to make it more less accessible depending on you know your Fitness level and then poses like Warrior 2 and triangle pose work those leg muscles which can help with stability and balance which again takes pressure off your back okay I'm taking notes now let's talk about those amazing natural remedies yeah I have to confess I'm already a huge fan of essential oils me too but um I'm curious what are some of your go-to herbs and oils for pain relief well turmeric is always a good place to start okay you can add it to smoothie curries or even just take in supplement form yeah but remember consistency is key I actually started adding turmeric to my golden milk lattes and I swear it's helping with my joint pain that's awesome and if you're dealing with muscle cus Ginger is your best friend okay you can make ginger tea or even try a ginger compress just soak a cloth and warm ginger tea and apply it to the sore area yeah that sounds amazing yeah what about essential oils do you have any favorites for pain Lavender is always my go-to for headaches and tension you can diffuse it add it to a bath or even just put a drop on your temples yeah for muscle egges try peppermint oil diluted in a carrier oil like coconut oil okay it has this cooling effect that can be really soothing I'm already feeling more relaxed just thinking about it now let's talk about food I know we touched on the anti-inflammatory diet but I'm wondering if you have any specific meal ideas or recipes that you recommend oh absolutely for breakfast I love smoothies packed with greens berries and maybe some flax seed or chia seeds for those Omega-3s for lunch big colorful salads are always a winner load them up with veggies lean protein and healthy fats like avocado or olive oil those sound delicious what about dinner I'm a huge fan of stir fries you can pack them with veggies tofu or Tempe and flavorful spices like ginger and turmeric yeah and if you're craving comfort food soups are amazing just make sure you're using a bone broth or vegetable broth base and load them up with anti-inflammatory ingredients okay I'm getting hungry what about snacks are there any go-to anti-inflammatory snacks that you recommend definitely a handful of almonds or walnuts is a great option they're packed with healthy fats and protein okay you could also do sliced veggies with hummus or even a piece of fruit with some Nut Butter those are all great ideas so we've covered meditation yoga natural remedies and nutrition let's talk more about LIF style changes particularly exercise I know you mentioned low impact activities but are there any specific exercises that people with chronic pain should try swimming is always a fantastic option because it's so gentle on the joints yeah water aerobics is another great one walking is also accessible to almost everyone and you can adapt the intensity to your Fitness level right yeah I've also heard that foam rolling can be beneficial for pain relief that something you recommend it absolutely can be foam rolling is a form of self-massage that can help release muscle tension and improve flexibility uhuh you can use a foam roller on your back legs glutes it's amazing for those tight spots okay I'm adding that to my routine now let's talk about sleep yeah what are some specific strategies for improving Sleep Quality especially for those who are struggling with pain one of the most important things is to establish a consistent sleep schedule right try to go to bed and wake up around the same time each day even on weekends yeah it helps regulate your body's natural sleep wake cycle I know that's important but I strugg with that it's hard what about the actual bedroom environment does that play a role it definitely does okay make sure your bedroom is dark quiet and cool okay consider blackout curtains earplugs and a fan if you need to yeah and invest in a good mattress and pillow I can't believe I haven't invested in a better pillow yet okay what about stress I know that stress can make pain worse oh yeah how can we manage stress effectively deep breathing exercises can be incredibly helpful for calming your nerv nervous system progressive muscle relaxation is another great technique where you tense and release different muscle groups in your body I've heard of that but I've never actually tried it it's surprisingly effective you can find guided scripts online or through apps and don't underestimate the power of spending time in nature yeah even a short walk in the park can do wonders for your stress levels Okay so we've got breathing exercises muscle relaxation and nature walks what about things like journaling or creative expression can those help with Stress Management absolutely okay journaling can be a great way to process emotions and get things off your chest and creative Outlets like painting drawing or playing music can be incredibly therapeutic yeah find something you enjoy and that helps you relax this is all so helpful I'm feeling really empowered to take charge of my pain management and try some of these techniques welcome back to the final part of our Deep dive into holistic pain management I'm ready to explore some of those more Advanced Techniques you mentioned I feel like we've already covered so much ground but I know there's even more to discover you're right there's always more to learn we've talked about the Mind Body Connection natural remedies nutrition and lifestyle changes now let's Venture into some lesser known but equally powerful approaches okay I'm intrigued what's first on the list let's talk about affirmations affirmations I've heard of those but I always thought they were a bit too woo woo for me do they really work they can be surprisingly powerful ful especially when used consistently the basic idea is that you're using positive statements to reprogram your subconscious mind and shift your beliefs so it's about changing your mindset I can see how that could be helpful for pain management because if you're constantly thinking negative thoughts about your pain it's probably going to make it feel worse exactly it's about breaking those negative thought patterns and replacing them with more positive and empowering ones so what are some examples of affirmations that people could use for pain management well instead of thinking I'm always in pain you might affirm I am healing and getting stronger every day or instead of this pain will never go away you might say I am open to new possibilities for healing I love that it's like retraining your brain to focus on the positive what are some tips for using affirmations effectively first choose affirmations that resonate with you personally don't just pick random ones from a book they need to feel authentic to you then write them down and repeat them regularly ideally several times a day so it's about repetition and consistency I can see how that can help those positive thoughts really sink in exactly and it's important to really engage with the affirmations don't just say them mindlessly feel them believe them okay I'm definitely going to try that what else is on the list of Advanced Techniques let's explore energy healing energy healing that would always seemed a bit mysterious to me what exactly is it it encompasses a wide range of practices that work with the body's subtle Energy Systems to promote balance healing and well-being so it's about tapping into the body's energy field exactly the idea is that we have an energy field that surrounds and permeates our physical bodies and when this energy field is blocked or out of balance it can manifest as physical or emotional disharmony including pain so energy healing aims to clear those blockages and restore balance what are some examples of energy healing practices raiki is a popular one it involves the practitioner gently placing their hands on or slightly above the recipient's body to channel energy and promote healing I've heard of raiki but I've never tried it is it something you recommend I encourage you to explore it if you're curious It's a gentle and non-invasive practice that can be incredibly relaxing and beneficial okay I'll add that to my list what other energy healing modalities are there well there's acupuncture which we talked about before and it's considered a form of energy healing because it works with the body's meridians there's also Kong Therapeutic Touch and sound healing wow so many options it's fascinating to think about all the different ways we can approach pain management it's not just about treating the symptoms it's about addressing the root causes and supporting the body's natural healing abilities exactly and that's the beauty of holistic pain management it empowers you to take an active role in your well-being I love that as we wrap up this deep dive what's one final thought you'd like to leave our listeners with remember that pain is a complex experience and there's no one siiz fits-all solution explore different approaches be patient with yourself and trust your body's innate ability to heal those are such wise words this deep dive has been incredibly insightful and empowering I'm so grateful for your expertise it's been my pleasure I wish you all the best on your pain management journey and to our listeners we hope this deep dive has given you some new tools and perspectives to help you navigate your own pain management Journey remember there is hope there is healing and there is a path to a more vibrant and pain-free life until next time stay curious for friends and keep those brains engaged
#Holistic #Pain #Management #Natural #Healing #Secrets #PreWell #Deep #Dive #Podcast #Episode
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