When you have pain, there’s nothing you want more than relief — right now. For many people, that means reaching for the bottle of pain relievers in the medicine cabinet.

Before treating pain with home remedies,  you should understand where the pain is coming from. Some sources of pain are easier to decipher: You have a tension headache after a long day at your computer, back pain after an afternoon of raking the yard, or joint pain from arthritis. Other sources of pain are not as evident, especially when you’re experiencing the pain for the first time, such as knee or hip pain when you are out for a walk, or when the pain lasts longer than usual, such as a stiff neck or lower back pain that doesn’t subside.

There are many home remedies and alternative treatments for pain, with over-the-counter medications being one of the most common. That bottle of pain-relieving pills in your medicine cabinet likely contains aspirin, ibuprofen (e.g., Advil and Motrin IB), or naproxen sodium (e.g., Aleve). These medications are most effective for mild to moderate pain that’s accompanied by swelling and inflammation, such as arthritis, sprains, and strains. Topical analgesics are creams, gels, sprays, and patches that are applied to the skin at the area where you feel pain, such as on painful joints or strained muscles. Topical pain relievers, such as diclofenac (e.g., Voltaren and Solaraze) and salicylates (e.g., Bengay and Icy Hot) can reduce mild to moderate pain without serious side effects, in part because they are applied locally instead of being circulated through the body.

Sometimes relief can be a frozen bag of peas or a hot bath. This is because applying heat and cold often can ease joint pain, back strains, neck pain, and other types of pain. Cold numbs pain by causing blood vessels to constrict, which reduces swelling. That’s why, when you experience an injury — whether it’s a bee sting or a sprained ankle — icing is often a good first choice. You can use an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables, or you can submerge the affected area in a container of ice water. Heat, on the other hand, is a muscle relaxer. Heat loosens tense muscles, which relieves pain. Heat also increases blood flow to an injury, which promotes healing. Sources of heat can be a heating pad or a warm bath.

Source: mayoclinic.org

The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.

When you have pain, there’s nothing you want more than relief — right now. For many people, that means reaching for the bottle of pain relievers in the medicine cabinet.

Before treating pain with home remedies,  you should understand where the pain is coming from. Some sources of pain are easier to decipher: You have a tension headache after a long day at your computer, back pain after an afternoon of raking the yard, or joint pain from arthritis. Other sources of pain are not as evident, especially when you’re experiencing the pain for the first time, such as knee or hip pain when you are out for a walk, or when the pain lasts longer than usual, such as a stiff neck or lower back pain that doesn’t subside.

There are many home remedies and alternative treatments for pain, with over-the-counter medications being one of the most common. That bottle of pain-relieving pills in your medicine cabinet likely contains aspirin, ibuprofen (e.g., Advil and Motrin IB), or naproxen sodium (e.g., Aleve). These medications are most effective for mild to moderate pain that’s accompanied by swelling and inflammation, such as arthritis, sprains, and strains. Topical analgesics are creams, gels, sprays, and patches that are applied to the skin at the area where you feel pain, such as on painful joints or strained muscles. Topical pain relievers, such as diclofenac (e.g., Voltaren and Solaraze) and salicylates (e.g., Bengay and Icy Hot) can reduce mild to moderate pain without serious side effects, in part because they are applied locally instead of being circulated through the body.

Sometimes relief can be a frozen bag of peas or a hot bath. This is because applying heat and cold often can ease joint pain, back strains, neck pain, and other types of pain. Cold numbs pain by causing blood vessels to constrict, which reduces swelling. That’s why, when you experience an injury — whether it’s a bee sting or a sprained ankle — icing is often a good first choice. You can use an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables, or you can submerge the affected area in a container of ice water. Heat, on the other hand, is a muscle relaxer. Heat loosens tense muscles, which relieves pain. Heat also increases blood flow to an injury, which promotes healing. Sources of heat can be a heating pad or a warm bath.

Source: mayoclinic.org

The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.

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