Photo: Yuri Arcurs, Fotolia
Relieve pain without tablets
The grip on the pill is a quick but dangerous solution: it can make you dependent. There are alternatives that work just as well as tablets.
A HEADACHE
Experts estimate that ten percent of all headaches are caused by overuse of analgesics (more than ten days a month). Equally effective are alternative healing methods :
- acupuncture
Those who often suffer from headaches can be treated with acupuncture, without any tablets. Several studies have proven that the alternative therapy of needles therapy helps in 75 percent of cases. As a rule, six to eight sessions are needed. There is no scientific explanation for the effect. The most common theory: the needles send stimuli to the brain that block the influx of pain impulses. At the same time, the formation of endorphins (happy hormones) is stimulated. According to the studies, acupuncture also works for migraine, low back pain and osteoarthritis.
- hypnosis
It diverts attention away from pain. How this works Wolfgang Blohm, head of a hypnosis clinic at Husum: "For this purpose, the patient is put into a kind of trance.The inner attention is wide awake, external influences are hidden.In this state, the affected person is particularly receptive to positive images The therapist directs him . " Thus, the pain is virtually hidden by beautiful pictures. In addition, the patient learns how he can help himself in an acute case by self-hypnosis quickly.
- Tens
To treat headaches with TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), small electrodes are glued to the pain points on the head. They transmit electrical stimuli to the nerves under the skin. This way, the impulses reach the brain and relieve the pain. The devices (medical supply) are so small that you can always carry with you.
- home remedies
One of the most common reasons for headaches is lack of water. Here are enough 3-4 glasses of liquid, and the problem is solved without any tablets . Those who work concentrated often forget to eat. The consequences: The blood sugar level drops, the brain beats painful alarm. Now snacking is expressly allowed.
MIGRAINE
Around 14 million Germans suffer from it. Typical symptoms are: hammering pain, usually only on one side of the head, as well as strong light and sensitivity to noise.
- neural therapy
It is based on the view that the actual cause of migraine is to be found in "interference fields". These can be anywhere in the body. This can be, for example, an old scar on the leg that has become inflamed. Such interference fields unbalance the nervous system in the brain and trigger the hellish headache. In neural therapy, the interference field is gradually switched off by means of procaine spraying (anesthetic). If this is successful, the migraine is gone, thanks to alternative healing methods .
- Botox
Even doctors were surprised that in migraine patients not only the wrinkles on the forehead, but also the headache went away. Botox is therefore considered promising in migraine treatment. According to a study of the American Mayo Clinic, attacks were 55 percent less frequent after injection, and strength decreased as well. The effect of the injection occurs after two weeks, it lasts for three months. After that, the Botox is broken down.
- biofeedback
This method shows what you can move through the power of the thoughts: Sensors measure bodily functions, such. For example, the muscle tension in the head or the blood flow in the arteries, and display them on the PC. If the patient relaxes, the symbol changes on the monitor. So he learns, with the will to control body processes. That means he can stop migraine attacks before they even break out. According to a study by the University of Marburg, the result is even better if in addition the so-called blood volume pulse feedback is applied. The patient learns to narrow the temporal arteries by the will. Wide arteries can significantly increase the pain. However, it takes a while to master the method. It can only be learned with the help of therapists.
BACK PAIN
In 90 percent of cases tense back muscles, bad work or poor posture are the cause. According to experts, lack of exercise is to blame.
- Osteopathy
It treats not only the bone, as the name suggests, but the whole body. So also muscles, tendons, connective tissue and ligaments. Their principle is: All parts of the body are connected. You must always be free to move. Is z. As a muscle or joint restricted in its mobility, this blockade triggers a disturbance, even at a very different location. Very common in the back. The osteopath must first feel the cause of the pain. His only instruments are the hands. Once the blockage is found, he removes it with techniques such as pushing, pushing, kneading or tapping. So the pain disappeared.
- Rolfing
Tension or adhesions in the connective tissue can lead to poor posture, causing chronic back pain. Rolfing can help here. The therapist loosens connective tissue and muscles and brings the whole body back into the right posture. Work is usually done with the hands, sometimes with the elbows. The process takes at least six weeks. Once the natural posture is restored, the pain is gone.
- warmth
As an emergency aid are ABC plaster, heat pack or a hot bath. Because warmth relaxes the muscles and promotes blood circulation. In this way pain-causing substances are removed faster. In addition, heat activates pain-inhibiting nerve fibers in the central nervous system. In the long term, only more exercise and a targeted back training help. Anyone waking up in the morning with back pain should critically examine his mattress. Orthopedic surgeons recommend replacing them every eight years at the latest.
JOINT PAIN
Most often they occur in the knee and in the shoulder. In the first case, arthrosis (cartilage wear) can be behind it, in the second case a swelling of the bursa.
- cortisone
If the pain is caused by inflammation in the knee joint, cortisone injections bring rapid relief. The cortisone stops the inflammation, and thus the pain subsides. They should be administered only in acute cases.
- Quark packs
This home remedy is a good first aid measure for inflammatory osteoarthritis. Simply paint the contents of a chilled quark wrap on your knee and wrap it in a cloth. Leave the overlay on until the curd has warmed up. Repeat as necessary.
- hyaluronic acid
If there is no inflammation and the pain is bearable, the following combination therapy is recommended: spraying with hyaluronic acid and cycling. The effect: hyaluronic acid serves the knee joint as a nutrient substance, cycling presses it into the cartilage and stimulates the joint mucous membrane to form synovial fluid. It ensures that the cartilage in the joint easily slide against each other. If they are missing, the cartilage rubs against each other, becomes inflamed and causes pain.
- cold Pack
Sudden severe pain in the shoulder joint usually indicates bursitis. This irritation arises from the fact that the bursa swells due to overloading and the space under the shoulder becomes too tight. Therefore, the medical term impingement (= shoulder). As emergency aid, a cold pack from the pharmacy is ideal. Always wrap the pack in a cloth first, then put it on your shoulder for 10 minutes. Remove the bag when the skin has warmed up. Wait 15 minutes, then repeat the curtain.
