As the supply chain continues to break down and reported diesel shortages threaten to reduce shipping even more, it’s time to review our preparations for managing chronic pain. Once society fully collapses, it may be a couple of years before we can count on being able to run to a store for some pain relievers. And those of us who currently suffer or may soon suffer from chronic pain need to be fully stocked with tangible remedies and other options for chronic pain management.
Diet. The collapse of modern technology won’t be all bad as far as health is concerned. Creepy Uncle Joe’s apocalypse diet will have positive effects for many of us. The lack of excess sugar and processed foods will actually bless our bodies. Simply eliminating fake food is going to improve well-being for a significant number of people.
Weight loss. Along with dietary changes that we won’t necessarily welcome but which will benefit us, we’ll be losing weight. This weight loss will reduce stress on joints and muscles. Chronic pain arising from excess pounds will gradually dissipate for many of us.
Walking. A couple of studies have demonstrated the benefits of walking at least three times per week to reduce arthritis pain.[1] Of course, walking confers other advantages as well—elevating the mood, boosting immune cell production (thus preventing some types of “pain” in the first place), and strengthening joints and muscles. However, studies have also shown that walking at least five times per week can reduce the perception of all kinds of pain.[2]
The above three items are going to be implemented in all our lives, and probably pretty soon, and don’t require much in the way of preparation. (Well, you may want to have some smaller-sized clothes on hand and plenty of good shoes and socks for walking.)
The placebo effect is a phenomenon that has been covered a couple of times here over the years. It is a real thing, but difficult to quantify, and part of the problem is that some people are much more susceptible to it than others. The placebo effect is particularly useful when dealing with migraines, depression, irritable bowel, and Parkinson’s, but can also be useful with plain old chronic pain.
Topical creams like those made with Benadryl, lidocaine, or capsaicin are extremely effective at controlling different types of pain and are all available over the counter. They can also be made at home, but they aren’t very expensive to purchase. You might wish to pick up just a few tubes of each.
Over the counter pain medications like Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve work wonders for many with chronic pain. They are also highly sought after items when society has completely collapsed. We are a people who have been raised to believe that all pain must be immediately eliminated. We don’t like just living with it. So it would be a really good idea to have a generous supply of the pain relievers that we frequently use. Also remember that for particularly intense pain, Advil and Tylenol can be combined. And for the first time, both medicines have been combined into a single tablet by Advil. My husband saw an ad for it on TV just last week.
Remember, however, not to overdose on these medications. Most Tylenol overdoses aren’t intentional. Unfortunately, many people do not realize that Tylenol is found in many over-the-counter drugs, and combining them can lead to an overdose.
Chronic use can also lead to liver toxicity. Milk thistle is an excellent herb for detoxifying the liver.
And finally, numerous herbs also possess pain-relieving properties.
- Capsaicin, which occurs in hot peppers, can be taken internally or applied topically in a cream form.
- Salicin comes from willow, aspen, and poplar trees and relieves pain when taken internally. It was the first commercial pharmaceutical manufactured—aspirin.
- Arnica in gel form relieves muscle and joint pain.
- Curcumin reduces inflammation. It is taken internally.
These are some of the most well-known and used herbs for chronic pain, but there are many more. Use the search bar on the right for specific conditions of concern to you.
Links to related posts:
The Medicinal Uses of Milk Thistle
OTC Pain Relievers—How Physicians Use Them for Maximum Relief
[1] Patti Neighmond, Exercising to ease pain: Taking brisk walks can help, Shots Health News from NPR, 23 September 2019, https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/09/23/754869132/exercising-to-ease-pain-taking-brisk-walks-can-help (accessed 16 May 2022).
[2] A. M Polaski, et al., The dosing of aerobic exercise therapy on experimentally-induced pain in healthy female participants, Scientific Reports, 2019, Vol 9 No 1, https://dsc.duq.edu/biology-data/1/ (accessed 16 May 2022).
Also keep an open eye and ears on your family for chronic depression. Pain is often a symptom of it as often as the pain is the source of the depression. Chicken and the egg scenario.
ReplyDeleteThat's part of why the placebo effect and hands on Nursing is so useful in healing issues. Knowing people care is a strong cure for depression.
Folks don't need psychotherapists; they need bible minded friends that care.
Thanks for that reminder.
DeleteI'm dealing with pain right now! And you didn't mention ibuprofen much, just name brands. 800mg (4x200mg) is the amount required to deal with severe pain. From tooth nerves to bruised ribs it helps. I was forced by necessary to use some one year expired ones and they worked fine. Normally I don't use anything, except slower movement. But I had the stuff stored... I got fresh stuff now.
ReplyDeleteAlso a comphrey poultice helps. Sometimes.
Some people - not me - use hemp for pain. I for and it's too drying and makes my pain worse.
Of course there's also alcohol. This is often a last resort as it's a blood thinner. But it's easy to make.
I really like your articles. I often save them. :thank you :)
Willow twigs tea for asprin effects, wilted cabbage wraps for joint pain and inflammation, rice water for bowel distress.
ReplyDeleteA healthy diet from loss of access to junk foods might help like it did in England during WW2 with joint pain and some diabetes.
Michael
Massage can really help with chronic pain. Doesn't have to be a trained person, just a friend or trusted family member with a little food grade oil or I've even used animal fat doing long strokes with light pressure and generally strokes toward the heart for 20+ minutes can work wonders. More pressure can be applied in subsequent sessions as long as the recipient is good with it. Do not use massage if infection is suspected.
ReplyDelete