You may have read how the coronavirus crisis has caused health to suffer even in people who have not been infected.
Studies have found that Americans are putting on weight and suffering from mental health issues at unprecedented rates.[i] [ii]
Now, new research shows that many people with chronic pain conditions report they are hurting more.
This is no small matter. Up to 40% of American adults suffer chronic pain of some kind. It is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor.[iii]
Scientists in Spain at the University of Catalonia examined 502 people with long-term pain. They had suffered from their pain for an average of seven years. The study included subjects with pain in the back, neck, joints, stomach, and other areas.
The study found that 70% of the subjects were having worse pain during the pandemic than they had before coronavirus hit.[iv]
How the Pandemic Increases Chronic Pain
The study found that the pandemic made chronic pain worse by:
- Increasing stress
- Causing sleep problems
- Causing loneliness and sadness
- Preventing exercise
More than half the subjects reported that they were increasing how much pain medication they were taking. But many found that they were hurting more even after increasing the dosage.
Dr. Ruben Nieto is a pain specialist who led the study. He said that some subjects found healthy ways to combat their pain during the pandemic, such as stretching exercises and taking more time to rest.
“It is difficult to eliminate the pain altogether, but it is possible to learn to cope with it and live with it,” he said.[v]
The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.[vi]
8 Natural Ways to Relieve Chronic Pain
Big Pharma wants you to automatically reach for a prescription drug when you feel pain. But it was their “solution” that brought on the opioid addiction epidemic that has claimed countless lives in the U.S.
As mentioned in the study above, exercise and rest are important ways to manage pain. Other research has found that natural supplements can also help.
Here are eight safe alternatives to painkilling drugs:
- Cannabidiol (CBD). This hemp-derived compound is safe and effective for relief of pain and inflammation.[vii] [viii]
- Boswellia. This resin from the Boswellia serrata tree contains compounds which help reduce inflammation and pain. Also known as frankincense, it can be taken as a pill or used topically.
- Turmeric. This Indian spice is famous for controlling pain. Turmeric supports circulation, detoxification, immunity, and tissue repair. It’s sold in capsules, extracts, powders, and as a whole root.[ix]
- Capsaicin. Capsaicin is derived from hot peppers. It has long been known for its ability to relieve pain. It’s often used as a topical cream.
- Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to chronic pain. One study compared levels of pain relief among people with normal and decreased vitamin D levels. Patients deficient in vitamin D needed almost twice as much pain medication. When buying supplements, be sure to get the D3 form. It’s more potent.
- Ginger. Ginger can reduce inflammation and increase circulation. It’s particularly good for joint and intestinal pain. Powdered ginger can be taken in a capsule or brewed as tea.[x]
- Glucosamine. It helps relieve stiff, arthritic joints.[xi]
- Acetyl-L-carnitine. This amino acid has also been shown to relieve diabetic nerve pain.[xii]
The pandemic is taking a toll that goes far beyond that caused by the coronavirus itself. It’s important that we take care of ourselves until life gets back to normal.
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References:
[i] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/22/health/virus-weight-gain.html
[ii] https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00175-z
[iii] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/pdfs/mm6736a2-H.pdf
[iv] https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/uodc-tco030221.php
[v] https://www.uoc.edu/portal/en/news/actualitat/2021/048-pain-lockdown.html
[vi] https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/11/3558
[vii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26517407
[viii] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30721403/
[ix] https://www.verywellhealth.com/turmeric-for-pain-relief-can-it-help-4173236
[x] https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/supplements-herbs/guide/ginger.php
[xi] https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/supplements-herbs/guide/glucosamine.php
[xii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15616239