Pain is a sign that something is going on; it’s like the warning light that goes off in your car letting you know to be aware of a problem. “First, pain speaks in whispers until it starts screaming at you,” said Dr. Anna Saylor. If you experience pain for a day or two that may not be cause for concern but if it’s been going on for a very long time it needs to be looked at.
Consider Chiropractic First
Given the nation’s opioid epidemic and reliance on OTC pain relievers, we recommend, of course, chiropractic care. When your body is out of alignment that can lead to excess strain and wear on the body resulting in pain. Chiropractic restores proper alignment and relieves pain.
This form of natural health care is completely natural and without any side effects. “We take care of pain really well,” said Dr. Saylor. At our practice, we specialize in Koren Specific Technique (KST). One of the reasons why we chose to offer this approach in the practice is it’s gentle. There’s no cracking, twisting or popping. If you’re in pain you don’t want any such added discomfort so KST is a great choice for those seeking gentle chiropractic care.
‘But What If I Can’t Get to the Chiropractor?’
We understand that you may not be able to get in for care. If that’s the case there are some effective things you can do at home:
- Use an Ice Pack: Apply for at least 20 minutes then follow the 20 minutes-on-20-minutes-off pattern until the area starts to feel better
- Try a Topical Pain Reliever: Dr. Saylor recommends several products including CryoDerm®, which is one that she loves. It’s a cold gel and has some different natural ingredients to help you heal. Biofreeze is another cold gel that will help with swelling.
- Use Arnica: The flowers and roots of arnica are typically used to create topical pain relief remedies. Dr. Saylor considers arnica her secret weapon for pain relief. You can take it two different ways: internally in pill form or topically as a cream.
- Consider Essential Oils: Many essential oils have remarkable pain-relieving properties. Oils to consider include chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, thyme, sandalwood, juniper and ginger. Always make sure you properly dilute the oils before applying to the skin.
- Take Turmeric: This powerful spice has been shown to reduce inflammation and relieve chronic pain. Turmeric has many other incredible health benefits too!
- Get the Healing Started: One of the most important things to remember about pain is you don’t want to let it go unaddressed. It won’t improve and will typically worsen. Instead, we encourage you to get the healing process started.
So whether you are involved in a minor car accident or injured yourself playing a sport, the first thing you should do is call the chiropractor. Then start icing the area and using a product like CryoDerm or Biofreeze.
At Van Every Family Chiropractic Center, we want to get you out of pain and back to your life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!