Alternative remedies for chronic pain (1)

Like me I'm sure you've been through the wars with this illness and when it comes to talking about pain relief I'm usually the first one to roll my eyes because not a lot has worked for me. It dawned on me one day that my G.P had put me on medication that's also used for Cancer pain and that kind of freaked me out. I have always had a keen interest in the alternatives to convential medicine. I have tried accupuncture for my Endo with successful results, I must actually make a new appointment. My therapist actually told me that there was a "mass" over my right ovary and after what happened on Tuesday I'm inclined to believe her even more now.

I have also tried herbal and homeopathic remedies. Personally, Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)

(seeknatural.co.uk)

 and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium),

(Etsy.com)

taken in tincture form can sometimes ease my bleeding and the symptoms of PMS but this does depend on the cycle and what medications I'm taking the effects vary. For my pain I have found that Belladonna works great for me. Its a dangerous herb so do not try to cultivate this yourself. Buy from a reputable health store please.
Herbs like Ginger are great for nausea and Nettle tea is an old remedy my Mum used to give me for cramps. It eased the pain I must say and I was really skeptical at first. Again in depends on your pain levels. We're all different. Nowaday's I wish a cup of Nettle tea would do the trick. But I'll stay positive and kick this Endo in the butt. I don't want to get stuck in the negative pain cycle. It looks a little like this and I'm sure we can all relate to it at some point or another;

You are best to talk to your healthcare professional before beginning any course of herbal or homepathic treatment. 

I've heard many people tell me now aboue TENS machines. I have as of yet to try one out. I think I'll do some research into it and decide then. For now here's a little bit about the TENS machines;

How tens pain relief works

At high and low frequencies, tens machines activate opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Opioid receptors have various functions, including the production of analgesia (pain relief), sedation and euphoria. When a tens machine is turned up to a high pulse rate, it causes neurotransmitters (chemicals) in the spinal cord to send messages to the synapse in the brain. This causes the spinal cord to block the pain gate, by producing pain relief (analgesia). At a low frequency, tens pain relief machines also stimulate serotonin receptors in the spinal cord. This causes serotonin to be released in the brain. Serotonin helps to relieve chronic pain.

How effective are Tens Machines

Various research has shown that using a tens machine is an effective way of easing pain, if it is used correctly. The results vary according to the type of pain. A study done abroad surveyed the effects of tens pain relief for labour pains. 71% of participants said tens machines had provided effective pain relief for their labour pains. Most of the participants said they would use a tens unit for pain relief in the future. For more TENS machine info, go here  http://www.tensmachines.ie/

A different path?

Ladies, I'm sure you're tired of being promised that this or that treatment will aid you or rid you of pain, gain your a few years without those sometimes torturous cramps, save your fertility or just give you a better quality of life.

Now those of you have been on that long list of hormone therapies, surgeries &

sometimes whatever the Doc's are pulling out of there hats have probably, like me already turned to an alternative medicine to see if it has any use.

I myself have tried TCM but while I was on a GnRH analogue so we've never been entirely sure which one worked although the herbs I was prescribed certainly helped with the side effects of the treatment so in that I can say hand on heart they worked for me.

Whilst I have not been yet brave enough to go for acupuncture I have tired homeopathic & herbal remedies & still continue to use certain one's for PMS & the general annoying pains I get from my Endometriosis.

It really doesn't matter what "stage" of this disease you have, you still suffer, it's not

fair & it's certainly not something you've brought on yourself.

*Some of the Herbal Remedies I've tried over the years are; Chamomile, Peppermint, Feverfew, Yarrow, Chaste Tree, Valerian, Hops, Skullcap, Sage & also in the Homeopathic realm I've used Belladonna, Kali. Phos & New Era tissue salts for menstruation.

*If you want to try any of these please consult with your G.P or local Herbalist first.

In no way am I encouraging you to abandon your treatment's or usual medicine but instead am just putting it out there that there are always alternative's even if to just help with side effects or improve your overall health.

Give herbs a shot, they were around first after all :-)

Remember there's always support available to us, a light at the end & always always there's hope.