Concerned with the long-term effects of drugs in the body, people are diverting to alternative medications for chronic pain relief. It’s significant to know about chronic pain before taking a flight
The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines chronic pain as pain which passes the normal time of healing and suggests three months to be the appropriate time to distinguish between acute and chronic pain for nonmalignant pain. A research ‘A classification of chronic pain for ICD-11’ says that a pain is chronic when it lasts or recurs for more than 3 to 6 months. It also says that pain is a frequent situation affecting an estimated 20% of people worldwide.
Chronic pain conditions are often called lifestyle-related diseases.
When an innovator innovates to make life easy by saving labor and time, physical work has already gotten reduced. It's hard to believe that innovations have an adverse effect on mankind’s life. For instance, Mixer grinders in the kitchen, Mops with long handles, automobile, computers, etc. have reduced the physical labor of both the genders. Excess weight, concrete walking grounds creates constant pressure on the foot, unlike wooden or earthen floors. Continuous sitting during office hours, sitting and standing postures, processed food, stress, pollution, fashion footwear, tight clothing is some other lifestyle-related factors to induce long-term chronic pain because these activities are frequent too. Post-injury pain is an addition to chronic pain situation. Another research ‘A new aspect of chronic pain as a lifestyle-related disease’ support the theory of chronic pain as a lifestyle-related disease.
Chronic Pain noticed globally - WHO (World Health Organization) has noticed the severity of chronic pain involved in various diseases around the globe and introduced ICDs (International Classification of Diseases). ICDs are categories dedicated to different chronic pain conditions and are used in clinical care and researches for defining and learning disease patterns for managing and monitoring health care, outcomes and for allocating resources for the same.
Different drug-free alternatives to relieve pain
There are ways worldwide to relieve pain. One is drugs and other is a drug-free method. People are inclining more towards a drug-free method of healing because they are afraid of future impacts inside the body due to drugs. As a drug-free alternative, Electrical Stimulation is considered safer and effective in reducing chronic pain instantly. Electrical Stimulation has different forms, the practicality of utility and benefits for diversified pains.
Shockwave is a wave which carries a high energy to painful tissues with acute and chronic conditions. The energy transmitted by shock regenerates the bone and tendon process, repair soft tissues and help in the regrowth of cells. Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment and natural healing process which improves mobility. It is used by orthopedics, physiotherapists, and sports doctors. The acoustic energy delivered by Shockwave therapy releases the trigger points that cause pain in neck, shoulder, back or limbs.
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machines deliver mild electrical impulses to stimulate the production of Endorphins. Endorphins are the chemical substances released by the pituitary glands and central nervous system. They are known to give a sensory feeling of wellness to a person who is feeling pain. TENS boost endorphins naturally without any other medication and is also safe for pain relief. Both Analogue and Digital TENS machines are available to reduce pain, but digital machines are preferable due to its mechanism of showing the changing frequency, mode and time. Digital TENS are also recommended for home use. TENS respond to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid disorders, back pain, sports injuries, musculoskeletal disease, cancer pain, period pain, numbness in toes, general leg cramps and more.
Ultrasound therapy is a modality used for healing tissues, improves blood flow and cures muscular problems. Ultrasound in combination with conductive gel provides deep heat to soft tissues in the body and lessens pain in tendonitis, periostitis, joints, muscles, and ligaments. It is applied to the surface of the skin over the painful points. Ultrasound therapy is given by occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and sports doctors.
Laser Therapy (LLLT)
LLLT in general terms known as cold laser therapy. LLLT uses a wavelength of laser light to perform minor surgeries and promote the regeneration of tissue. Laser therapy is used to destroy tumors, cure early stage of cancer risks, remove kidney stones, improve vision, hair treatments, nerve pains, tissue regeneration, prevent loss of blood vessels, reduce inflammation, increase collagen production, increase enzyme generation and more. It is also used for acute and chronic pain like wound pain, sports injuries etc.
Electroacupuncture is a non-invasive stimulation method and called the modern version of traditional acupuncture. Needles are inserted at the trigger points under both acupuncture methods. Electroacupuncture uses two needles at one time, so the impulses can pass from one needle to another. These needles are then attached to a device that passes electrical impulses. These impulses release the endogenic biochemical compounds to decrease the sensation of pain. Electroacupuncture device helps to control the frequency and intensity of delivering impulses. It evokes the natural healing process of the body and is used to reduce pain involved in sciatica, fibromyalgia, high BP, insomnia, back pain, respiratory problems, post-surgery pain, cure emotional disorders and improve digestion.
Thermotherapy and Cryotherapy
Thermotherapy issues hot temperature to improve blood circulation, give a soothing effect to physical discomforts of pain like rheumatic and arthritic pain, heal impaired tissues, joint pain and improve muscle performance. There are two types of hot therapies – Convection Heat Therapy (moist heat) and Conducted Heat Therapy (dry heat). Cold Therapy reduces burning sensation, swelling, and tingling after an injury like sprains or strains. Both Thermotherapy and Cryotherapy can be done at home with a heat pack, ice pack or a battery-operated machine.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) technology aids in alleviating swollen feet and ankles, helps in muscle strengthening and rehabilitation, diabetic neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, ligament recovery, relief of muscle and leg cramps and eliminating tiredness. The EMS machine sends a mild electrical current to cause contraction of muscles and pushing the blood flow. Continuous stimulation opens the blocks or arteries and veins to allow necessary nutrients reach the muscles. Three kinds of Electrical stimulation are popular as therapeutic modalities –Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation, Functional Electrical Stimulation and Microcurrent Electrical Nerve Stimulation. All three modalities cover different trigger points of the body while haling processing
Therapies mentioned in this article are drugless and involves no extra medication to support in curing chronic pain.With increasing research, these therapies have become useful at home, office or any comfortable environment. While companies are also trying to make the products economical, people are already adopting them for getting regular healing reception at frequent intervals.There are many manufacturing companies selling these kinds of devices like Quell, JSB Healthcare, Revitive, Omron Healthcare, companio, etc... from where you can buy this device..
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