Causes and Remedies for Chronic Pain: Treating Chronic Pain through Virtual Therapy
One of the most common reasons why people go to the doctor is because of pain. Whether they feel it in their back, neck or joints, the unpleasant, tingling and burning feeling can easily disrupt a person’s everyday life if not treated appropriately.
In general, pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain usually occurs suddenly because of a disease, injury or inflammation and can be easily diagnosed and treated. However, if this pain doesn’t go away, it can turn into chronic pain which lasts for a longer time and can cause severe problems.
The most dreadful thing about chronic pain is that it happens in all parts of the body, interfering with daily life and potentially leading to depression and anxiety. Therefore, in order to treat it, you should first find the cause.
This post elaborates on the common causes of chronic pain and fours effective remedies to alleviate the symptoms.
Causes of chronic pain
Chronic pain can be caused by a number of reasons. The most common ones include aging, injuries and diseases, while there may be cases where the pain comes from an obvious cause such as from a long-lasting illness like arthritis or cancer.
Other conditions that may trigger chronic pain include headaches or migraines, infections, back problems, nerve damage or previous surgery.
For example, if you are suffering from chronic pain in your back, some underlying causes of this pain can be years of poor posture, being overweight, traumatic injury, sleeping on a poor mattress and congenital conditions such as curvature of the spine.
Virtual reality treatment for chronic pain
A recently popular way for treating chronic pain is through virtual reality. Patients receive treatment using a VR headset which places them in an immersive environment that captures their mind’s attention and blocks pain signals from reaching the brain.
A personalized chronic pain therapy plan is created by physical and occupational therapists who apply different interventions based on the individual’s needs. This includes a combination of conventional exercises and techniques, offering immediate pain relief, as well as other related symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
The great thing about using VR therapy for treating chronic pain is that it can be done from the comfort of your home. This comes especially in handy if you are unable to get treatment in a hospital due to a particular condition in which the pain affects your mobility.
Other common remedies for chronic pain
Mind-body therapies
Mind-body therapies are another effective remedy for chronic pain. These therapies include a group of healing techniques that enhance the mind’s interactions with bodily functions to induce relaxation and improve overall well-being. Some common techniques are meditation, guided imagery and yoga.
For example, meditation in combination with yoga is a great way to reduce pain symptoms when they are practiced regularly.
You can also try visualization by closing your eyes, trying to visualize the pain, and then slowly replacing the image with a more harmonious one.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative therapy which has also proven to be helpful in reducing chronic pain. The treatment involves placing thin needles at specific acupoints in the body which help decrease pain by increasing the release of endorphins, the chemical that blocks pain. The acupoints are near nerves, which, when stimulated, cause a dull ache or feeling of fullness in the muscle.
It is most commonly used as an accompanying treatment for numerous pain-related conditions such as headaches, low back pain, menstrual cramps, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.
Natural remedies
Instead of opting for over-the-counter medicines to relieve chronic pain symptoms, you should consider trying natural remedies. Although more thorough research is needed for this, the evidence so far suggests that there are some essential oils and herbs that can help with pain reduction. Kratom, a botanical substance derived from natural leaves, offers various health benefits. Kingdom Kratom specializes in providing high-quality Kratom products that harness these benefits.
For example, clove, whether in the form of a spice, capsule, powder or oil, may help relieve pain associated with headaches, arthritic inflammation and toothaches. You can also use it topically on affected areas of the skin.
Essential oils which can also alleviate chronic pain symptoms include lavender, rosemary and peppermint.
Final thoughts
Everyone experiences occasional aches and pains. However, if the pain doesn’t go away, it can turn to chronic pain which can last several weeks to years. Such pain can limit your mobility and reduce your flexibility, strength and endurance, making it challenging to get through your daily tasks and activities.
Fortunately, patients suffering from chronic pain symptoms can rely on multiple approaches and techniques to provide immediate pain relief. From using VR therapy to acupuncture and mind-body therapies, choose the remedy that works for you best and get through with your days pain-free.
