Are you tired of dealing with chronic pain and relying on medication to get through your day? If so, you're not alone. Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide and can take a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Luckily for us, there are natural ways to manage chronic pain that don't involve prescription drugs. We always recommend talking to a doctor first, but there’s nothing wrong with trying every avenue, right? 

We won’t go over all the options, but we will go over the most common treatments - from massage to compression, we'll explore some of the most popular ways to find natural chronic pain relief. 

Let’s start simple with some definitions, types, and causes:

What is Chronic Pain?

If you’re a sufferer of chronic pain, or just know someone who suffers from it, you know it is a debilitating condition. It is defined as pain that persists for three months or longer, even after the underlying cause has been treated. Chronic pain can be caused by various factors, including injury, inflammation, nerve damage, and psychological factors such as stress and anxiety.

Affecting approximately 20% of adults in the United States, it’s fair to say that chronic pain is more common than people think! It can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life, causing fatigue, depression, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. With all of those side effects, it’s no wonder why people try anything and everything they can to relieve their symptoms. 

Types of Chronic Pain

Because ‘chronic pain’ as a whole is rather vague, we’ve specified all of the different types of chronic pain below. If your type of pain isn’t mentioned, here’s a helpful list of the different types of chronic pain that goes into a bit more detail.

Neuropathic Pain: Neuropathic pain is caused by damage or injury to the nerves that transmit signals between the brain and the rest of the body. It is often described as burning, tingling, or shooting pain and can be accompanied by numbness, weakness, or sensitivity to touch. Common causes of neuropathic pain include conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and shingles.

Musculoskeletal Pain: This refers to pain that affects the muscles, bones, and joints. It is often characterized by a dull ache or soreness and can be caused by injuries, overuse, or chronic conditions such as arthritis. Musculoskeletal pain can also be accompanied by stiffness, swelling, and limited range of motion.

Headaches and Migraines: Arguably one of the most common types of chronic pain! They can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, hormonal changes, and certain foods or medications. Headaches are typically characterized by a dull or throbbing pain, while migraines are more severe and often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances. If you have a migraine, you know.

Fibromyalgia: A chronic pain condition that affects the muscles and soft tissues, Fibromyalgia is often characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but it is believed to be related to abnormalities in the way the brain and spinal cord process pain signals.

Chronic Pelvic Pain: Chronic pelvic pain is a type of pain that affects the lower abdomen, pelvis, and genital region. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, endometriosis, and fibroids. It can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as painful urination, painful intercourse, and menstrual irregularities.

Chronic Back Pain: Chronic back pain is a type of pain that affects the muscles, bones, and nerves in the back. It is often characterized by dull, aching pain and can be caused by injuries, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. Chronic back pain can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as stiffness, muscle spasms, and reduced mobility.

Natural Remedies for Chronic Pain

Again, it’s important to consult with your doctor or PCP before trying your own methods - if you’ve done that, read on! We’ve got all of the best ways to handle your chronic pain naturally, without the use of prescriptions. 

Compression Therapy

This is one of the most popular and effective (and one of our personal favorite) ways to ease chronic pain. This therapy involves applying pressure to a specific area of the body using compression garments such as sleeves, stockings, and gloves. Compression therapy can help to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain. Our copper-infused products take it a step further with extra-strength fabric, anti-bacterial properties, and a lack of odor - even after long wear! 

But which of our compression wearables are the most effective for which things? We’ve broken it down via a handy chart that will show you what to get depending on where you’re feeling discomfort:

Copper-Infused Compression Wearables for Chronic Pain

Location of Chronic Pain	Recommended Product
Back	Upper & Lower Back Relief Bundle
Shoulder	PowerKnit Shoulder Sleeve
Arms	Recovery Elbow Sleeve Full Arm Sleeve
Hands	Full Finger Gloves Half Finger Gloves
Legs	Full Leg Sleeve Recovery Calf Sleeves PowerKnit Knee Sleeve
Feet	Recovery Foot Sleeves

Holistic Pain Therapy

This type of therapy takes a comprehensive approach to managing chronic pain. This approach focuses on treating the whole person, rather than just the physical symptoms of pain. Holistic pain therapy can include a range of techniques, including acupuncture, massage, and meditation. 

Speaking of which…

Acupuncture 

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy that has become quite popular in other parts of the world! It involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body - but don’t worry, it’s not painful!
This therapy is believed to stimulate the body's natural healing processes and promote a sense of well-being. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in relieving chronic pain, particularly in conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches.

Massage Therapy 

Massage involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body to relieve pain and tension. This type of therapy can help to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation. Certain kinds of massage can be especially helpful for conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Meditation 

Arguably the most cost-effective method - it’s free! Meditation is a mindfulness-based practice that can help to reduce stress and anxiety, both of which can contribute to chronic pain. Meditation can also help to improve mood, increase resilience, and promote a sense of well-being. There are many different types of meditation, so it's important to find the one that works best for you.

Other holistic pain therapies include yoga, tai chi, and aromatherapy. These therapies can help to improve flexibility, reduce tension, and promote relaxation.

Final Thoughts

We’ve given you tons of options - but it’s important to note that natural pain relief varies from person to person, and it’s entirely possible that not every method will work for you. However, those who struggle with chronic pain know that there is no harm in trying every possibility before moving on to more traditional methods!
In short, chronic pain doesn’t have to be the end of the line. Take control of your well-being, and find your preferred therapy! Also, be sure to check out our website - and check out our blog for more education, tips, and tricks! 

Feel better soon!