Research shows that 38% of adults live with chronic pain, but what can be done to help alleviate some of that pain?
What is chronic pain?
In September 2020, research was carried out by Formulate Health, revealing that 38% of people in the UK aged 16+ experience pain daily; which is over 8 million people.
This follows from the 2017 survey by the Health Survey for England which showed that 34% of adults live with chronic pain.
Chronic pain is described as pain that is constant or intermittent and lasts for over three months. This can be in any part of the body and the type of pain may vary from time to time, from dull aches to sharp, stabbing sensations. The cause is different for each person but it’s usually due to an underlying health condition or chronic illness (such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome).
Some chronic pain, however, is not explained even after having lots of medical tests but that does not make it any less real.
People can still go to work and socialise whilst still dealing with pain in the background, with no one realising, but it can become debilitating with others having trouble getting out of bed and doing daily tasks.
Ways to manage the pain
Everyone reacts to pain differently and so treat it differently. Some people rely on pain medication, some prefer a drug-free alternative and some like to combine the two. It’s personal preference and there’s no right or wrong.
Making sure you get enough rest and sleep can help ease any pains, as well as reducing stressors in your life which can increase the body’s sensitivity to pain. Some find that meditation, other relaxation techniques or even CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) can help with these.
Doing some gentle exercise – without pushing yourself too hard, of course – can help keep your body healthy as it strengthens the muscles which helps with joint pain. If you have any doubts, you can seek advice from a physiotherapist; even going for a short walk can be beneficial and there are also some simple sitting down exercises that you can do.
Another common drug-free way to alleviate the pain is heat therapy, by using a hot water bottle or heat pad – or even a hot drink - to help ease the sensation. This works by relaxing the muscles and dilating the blood vessels, increasing the blood flow to that area which can help reduce the pain. Research also shows that the body’s heat receptors can block pain receptors when activated.
Other people like to massage the areas of the body that hurt using a massage oil – particularly for pain in the joints or muscles.
Natural body oils for massage
The Alexandra Kay range includes two different types of natural body oils which are great for massage as they contain CB2-SkinTM Biofunctional, an ingredient that activates the body’s CB2 cannabinoid receptors which provide calming and comforting benefits.
Time to Soothe is a scent-free, organic massage oil which is perfect for people who struggle with fragrances, or you can add your own essential oil to it to create a personalised massage experience.
Time to Ease has the same base as the Time to Soothe oil but with Ginger and Black Pepper to create warmth for aching muscles.
If you are struggling, always speak to your doctor to talk about your chronic pain management.
Want to find out more about our massage oils? Our UK customer care team can help and be contacted on 01403 740350.
