Is there such a thing as natural pain management?

Taking care of an aging parent is an act of love, but it comes with a great deal of stress and anxiety. You want your parent to be as healthy, active, and comfortable as they can be, but often they’re dealing with sources of pain that may have built up over a lifetime or that are the result of previous medical issues. They are far from alone; according to the National Institutes of Health, 65% of adults over age 65 in the U.S. report suffering from pain, and up to 30% experience chronic pain.

For example, arthritis is considered to be the most common source of pain in those over 65. Nerve damage, issues with circulation, and muscle pain are also frequently behind ongoing discomfort. It’s important to take pain seriously, not just because nobody should have to suffer, but because the effects of pain can have serious consequences for an older adult’s overall health. It can limit their physical activity, contributing to problems with weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, and more. It can also make them irritable, depressed, anxious, or withdrawn, as well as making it difficult to sleep or concentrate.

Pain management for older adults is complicated by the fact that as people age, the way they metabolize medication can change due to reduced kidney or liver function. They’re more likely to be prescribed multiple medications for different medical conditions, increasing the chances for unwanted drug interactions. Even nonprescription drugs for pain relief can be problematic:

• Acetaminophen:  Often recommended as the safest type of pain reliever for long-term use. However, excessive doses can cause liver damage. This medication is also commonly included in combination with other pharmaceuticals in over-the-counter cold medicines or prescription pain relievers, so it is vital to check the ingredients in all medications an older adult takes.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs include common medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These are commonly recommended only for short-term use due to their potential side effects, which are more likely to affect older adults. These can include stomach problems, kidney problems, and congestive heart failure.

The idea that a remedy for pain could potentially cause more and worse problems prompts many caregivers to look for natural remedies to help manage pain. But often these strategies don’t seem to offer consistent relief. It can be exhausting and depressing to feel like you’ve tried everything to help your parent feel better and recapture a better quality of life, only to have the pain come back quickly.

Natural Pain Management for Older Adults

At the Natural Healing Center, we don’t believe that pain is an inevitable side effect of growing older. Our approach to pain relief is based on promoting wellness by restoring the body’s ability to heal itself, rather than masking symptoms with painkillers. Nutrition is the first step in providing the body what it needs to heal itself. Older adults, whose appetites tend to decline as they age, are particularly vulnerable to dietary imbalances that can exacerbate painful symptoms. Nutrition Response Testing, a noninvasive means of determining what’s behind those symptoms and which nutrients are required to alleviate them, allows our clients to get the whole-food nutrition they need through diet and natural supplements. This gives our older clients a means to ensure that even a reduced diet contains everything it needs to support their health.

In addition, inflammation is often a key factor behind the pain of arthritis and other conditions that disproportionately affect the elderly. We also offer a variety of natural therapies designed to reduce the underlying inflammation. We work with each client individually to create a personalized treatment plan that combines the right natural healing modalities to address the source of their symptoms and create a foundation for ongoing, pain-free well-being.

If you’ve been searching for effective, natural means of pain relief to help your parent live their golden years in health and comfort, the Natural Healing Center can provide a path forward. Contact us here to schedule a consultation today.