Introduction
For many patients and clients, pain management is going to be a primary concern. It can be an incredibly challenging experience, and they will likely be seeking some form of pain relief when visiting your practice. And for pain management specialists, it is vital to provide not just topical relief, but also help patients to implement a holistic pain-relief plan. In many cases, effective pain management isn’t just about relieving physical symptoms, but also addressing the psychological barriers that could be playing a part.
When it comes to causes, there are a lot of different reasons for pain. Some are linked to other underlying health conditions, it could be an issue with joints, or spine pain management depending on posture and other physical habits, or a combination of the two. For comprehensive pain management to work, the approach needs to blend both physical and mental health to create an integrated pain management plan that can be worked on together with the client or patient.
At a pain management clinic, patients are likely expecting natural pain relief that may include both naturally-derived topical products as well as activities like meditation and mindfulness. Some patients may also want to incorporate physical therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy to help manage their symptoms through an integrated pain management approach. As you work with clients and patients, you’ll see that the need for precision pain management and that a personalized approach is absolutely vital in making a difference.
The following lists some of the natural pain management approaches that are currently being used, and how each of these could be the best pain management solution for your patients and clinics.
The Role of Holistic Health in Pain Management
For pain management clinics, the holistic approach for effective pain relief is important to consider. This is about creating a more integrative pain management plan for patients that includes a combination of mind and body to create a truly comprehensive pain management plan. This can include practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, expressive arts therapy, hypnosis, and acupuncture as well as natural pain-relief topicals.
Holistic pain management is about recognizing the combination of factors that go into the experience of pain, and how to address that with different tools. These can be included as adjunct therapies that complement conventional pain management practices for a comprehensive pain management plan for patients.
There is a vast amount of scientific data that can reinforce these concepts and highlight how the connection between mind and body does have an impact on the experience of pain.
For example, meditation practices have been successfully incorporated into hospitals and pain management clinics, especially for those seeking natural joint pain relief or natural muscle pain relief. Studies across different areas report positive results from meditation as a pain relief method. Similarly, massage therapy has also been noted as a physical form of pain relief that helps with spine pain management, as well as in reducing anxiety and stress around pain.
Holistic health can play an important role in pain management. You can learn more about the subject by clicking below.
Read MoreCognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Pain Management
Holistic pain relief or integrative pain relief is based on the approach of natural treatments that address physical concerns surrounding pain management, but also some of the negative thought patterns that may be contributing. This is especially so for patients who may be seeking natural pain relief for arthritis or searching for spine pain management solutions. In these cases, cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is an option for all-natural pain relief.
A form of talk therapy, CBT is formulated around helping patients identify and develop skills that enable them to break away from negative thought patterns and behaviors. The basic belief is that individuals are the ones who create their own experiences, and their experience with pain is no different. Through changing behaviors and thoughts, patients may be able to develop better-coping skills to manage pain, even if the level of pain remains consistent.
As a pain management specialist, CBT can help create an innovative approach towards pain relief by using mindfulness as a coping mechanism. Recommendations can include directing patients to see pain management counselors or advising them to incorporate techniques at home and in their daily life for pain relief.
At-home techniques include changing negative thoughts into positive (i.e. “I can’t cope” to “I can cope”), or tracking thoughts on a daily basis and trying to reframe them in a positive way.
For additional resources on the connection between cognitive behavioral therapy and pain management, please click below.
Read MoreQi Gong as a Pain Management Option
Taking its roots from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qi Gong is about balancing the body internally, or rather, balancing qi – the energy that binds all the forces of the universe. An alternative pain management solution, Qi Gong is a holistic pain-relief solution that involves the mind, body, and spirit.
For pain management specialists, this can translate into breathing and movement exercises, self-massage techniques, mindfulness, and intention-setting as well as sound and aural therapy. Breathwork, gentle stretching, and guided meditation might be included in this pain management solution, as well as naturally-derived topical pain-relievers.
The aim of Qi Gong is to strengthen the connection between the mind and body and bring more awareness to the path of pain, as well as offer all-natural pain relief. The movements can help improve muscles and tendons, which can be beneficial for natural joint pain relief and natural muscle pain relief. Including Qi Gong is an integrative approach to pain management that can help patients find relief.
By offering a full-body experience that includes mindfulness, patients can achieve comprehensive pain relief that allows them an opportunity to learn simple pain management techniques that can make an impact.
To learn more about Qi Qiong exercises for pain management, please click below.
Read MoreOptions for Self-Treatment
A situation that pain management specialists will likely find themselves in is recommending pain relief methods that patients can practice at home. There are physical exercises and movements that can be done at home to help mitigate pain in between appointments as well as more natural product recommendations that can also be beneficial.
In terms of physical exercises and movements that can help with pain management, patients can try self-massage techniques, or use foam rollers and/or tennis balls as a form of massage therapy. For headaches, temple massages can be effective in reducing pain. Self-treatment will likely be a lot of trial and error as patients work to understand what works best for their unique circumstances. As a pain management specialist, the task is to guide them while providing them with the tools they need to feel truly confident in managing their pain.
When it comes to effective self-treatment and self-management, there will likely be a balance of products and techniques that patients will use for natural pain relief. In terms of products, topical and naturally-derived analgesics can also be an important source of natural pain relief. Coming into your practice for pain relief combined with increased mind-body connection and tips on how to manage pain at home can help foster a comfortable environment for patients.
For more information on pain self-management at home, please click below.
Read MoreNaturally-Derived Topicals for Temporary, Minor Pain
Pain relief has seen many headlines recently due to the dangers of NSAIDs and opioids for pain relief and pain management. NSAIDs such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, and naproxen are available over-the-counter (OTC), and while they can be relatively benign, there are still serious side effects to consider. Opioids have seen their fair share of news, as devastating statistics highlight how easy, and deadly, opioid addiction can be.
Ultimately, when it comes to natural pain relief for temporary, minor back pain, arthritis symptoms, or muscle pain, these types of treatments are not an option – especially when considering how much damage the addictive nature of opioids can cause.
When it comes to treating patients, safe pain management is a key priority for all healthcare practitioners. And with that in mind, it’s important to look at the products you use and evaluate their safety and efficacy when working with patients. What kind of results do they provide? What is the overall feedback like? And do these products offer more natural pain relief?
Much of true pain relief comes from offering patients a plan that is tailored to them. This can be done by creating an integrative pain management plan that takes into account their unique circumstances to ensure that pain relief for them is the right balance of products and mind-body practices.
Click below to learn more about what conditions naturally-derived products, such as those from CBD CLINIC, can be used for.
Read MoreCBD CLINIC offers a wide variety of creams, ointments, and oils designed to offer your patients the pain relief they need. Our holistic, pain-relief formulas contain skin-nourishing CBD hemp and jojoba oils to soothe and moisturize the skin, along with clove, eucalyptus, and peppermint essential oils to provide aromatherapy benefits to your patients or clients. Your clients or patients will experience a reduction in as well as an overall feeling of rejuvenation.