Do you have chronic pain?  I have played tennis my entire life and I have to say, my knees are really starting to feel it, but you know what really helps...movement. It sounds counterintuitive, but if I walk or go on the elliptical, my knees will feel better than if I just sat for a few hours. It is just one way of coping with pain and stiffness. In fact, almost 60 percent of adults are living with pain. Back pain is the most common type of pain, affecting nearly 2 out of 5 U.S.

Plus chronic pain is linked to a dependence on opioids. However, research shows that alternative treatments may relieve pain. Meditation, massage, and acupuncture are just a few therapies that can be very effective if done on a regular basis. 

There are many ways in which we experience pain. It could be mental, emotional, or physical pain. People often turn to medications and surgery, but there are also many natural ways to relieve pain:

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    Movement

    Take a walk! Taking a walk can ease lower back pain as much as physical therapy. You don’t even have to go for a long walk. You can go shopping or walk your animal and it will ease stiffness in your back. Going for a walk 3 times a week can overall strengthen your back and abdominal muscles.

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    Massage

    Giving yourself a neck rub will help. Rubbing your fingers along the back of your neck and the base of your skull will stimulate blood flow to the brain, reducing headache pain by half in as little as 5 minutes.

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    Gratitude

    Taking a few minutes per day to yourself to think about what you are grateful for can reduce our perception of pain by 40%. Its because it triggers our relaxation responses, which can lower stress hormones and relax our muscles.

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    Essential Oils

    Essential oils and herbs have seen an uptick in natural remedies. Different essential oils can help with inflammation, headaches, swelling, and tension.

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    Acupuncture

    This helps with lower back pain, neck pain, knee pain, and migraines. Using needles to trigger specific spots to help the pain go away in a different way.

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    Yoga and Meditation

    These are two of the most natural ways to help ease the mind, body, and soul for an all-around pain-free life.  These methods can provide self-care, relaxation, breathing exercises, and stress or anxiety release.

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