1. Integrate Magnesium Into Your Daily Routine

Magnesium is a vital mineral. Supporting muscle and nerve function, magnesium can aid with relaxation and recovery, so the link between a lack of magnesium and chronic pain makes a lot of sense. 

Increasing your magnesium intake can help reduce muscle cramps², joint stiffness, and even migraines; so if your pain is thought to be linked to one of these issues then magnesium could go a long way towards reducing your overall pain without the reliance on pain relief medications.

For those battling persistent muscular pains, naturally occurring magnesium can help to relieve your chronic pain. One effective way to increase your magnesium levels is through topical application. Zea Relief’s Magnesium Oil Topical Spray can be applied directly to sore muscles anywhere on your body and focuses on relieving tension and encouraging better sleep and relaxation. 

Related: 5 Easy and Bath-Free Ways To Use Bath Salts

2. Use Heat Therapy for Pain Relief

Heat therapy is a super simple, yet incredibly effective way to tackle chronic pain, particularly in the muscle pain and joint discomfort department. 

Applying heat to an area that is inflamed and painful can ease the tension in a muscle, allowing it to relax and even prompting the healing process to begin by increasing blood flow.

Reusable heat packs are not only a benefit to the environment, but also mean you can have a targeted resolution to your pain whenever you need it; simply pop the pack in the microwave and apply it to the necessary area. 

Did you know? Zea Relief’s Natural Lupin Heat Packs offer dual therapy and can be used for either hot or cold pain relief. Made from 100% Australian-grown lupins and cotton, Zea Relief’s therapeutic heat packs retain heat (or cold) longer in comparison to regular packs made out of wheat. 

3. Explore Wellness Treatment Options

If you’re experiencing chronic pain or recovering from surgery, rehabilitation centres can be a real game changer. With centres specifically designed to treat chronic pain³  in Australia, these centres can provide life-changing support in your recovery.

Rehabilitation centres are home to a range of specialists including physiotherapists, and occupational therapists whose goal is to help uncover the source of your pain. By combining natural therapies with personalised programmes, you can help restore mobility and help to reduce pain long-term. 

Modern techniques, like hydrotherapy, and holistic healing practices, like acupuncture are used to target pain and ease it enough for you to start rebuilding your life whilst the problem is tackled. 

Whether you’re dealing with back pain, arthritis or other musculoskeletal issues, rehabilitation could be the answer you've been searching for. Start your recovery in a safe and calming environment with trained professionals at your disposal. 

4. Stay Hydrated

This may sound like an obvious thing to say, but before you breeze past it you may be interested to know just how many Australians are dehydrated and do absolutely nothing about it. 

A concerning 82% of Aussies are drinking less⁴  than the recommended daily amount of water and of that number, 40% notice their own state of dehydration and do nothing to remedy the situation. 

When you take into account the fact that being hydrated not only enhances your mood and improves mental cognition, but reduces: 

• Muscle stiffness

• Cramps

• Swelling

• Inflammation

All of which relate to many cases of chronic pain, maybe it’s time to start paying attention.   

Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, particularly on hot days; it is estimated that an adult living in Australia should drink between 2 and 2.6 litres per day⁵ to maintain a healthy hydration level, so don’t forget to keep sipping.  

5. Incorporate Mindfulness Practices

Chronic pain is heavily influenced by our mental state. Stress and anxiety can make pain worse, so finding ways to manage your mental health can have a huge impact on the pain you are experiencing. 

Mindfulness⁶ is the practice of increasing your presence in any given moment by putting away electronic devices and focusing on the world around you. 

Pay attention to the sounds, smells and colours that encircle you and be present with the people around you; try not to think about work tomorrow, emails you have to send or things you need to remember. It is a real art to simply ‘be’ in any given moment. 

It’s also important to remember that this does not mean your pain is ‘all in your mind’. The link between mental well-being and pain suggests quite the opposite. A physical manifestation of our mental state expressed through increased pain highlights how important it is to take care of our mental and physical wellbeing; so how do we go about this? 

Incorporating 10 to 15 minutes per day of meditation and deep breathing exercises is a great place to start, and teaches us to listen to the signals being sent by our bodies. 

Yoga is also a great thing for the body and mind as you explore a deeper connection with your body and relax your mental state, whilst having a huge impact on any joint pain, inflammation or muscle soreness you may be experiencing.

6. Embrace Natural Remedies and Oils

Natural remedies and oils are not just some modern alternative to actual medicine; some techniques and remedies have been used for thousands of years to ease pain, reduce inflammation and manage pain of all kinds.

Essential oils like Eucalyptus and Kunzea are known for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties and are 100% natural, making them the ultimate replacement for drugs and medication which usually come with all kinds of caveats.  

Zea Relief’s Kunzea Pain Relief Cream can be massaged into sore areas and can immediately work on reducing inflammation and bringing pain down to a manageable level. Its 100% natural, toxic- and chemical-free formulation means it’s perfect for frequent usage without buildups or overdosing.

There are many alternatives to painkillers out there, so do some research and replace those pesky pills with natural remedies that will enhance the soul and heal your aches and pains.    

Wellness & Natural Remedies

Managing your chronic pain does not have to be an overwhelming and all-consuming element of your life. Instead, with the careful incorporation of wellness techniques and the use of natural, healing supplements and practices, you could start to see a significant improvement in your day-to-day life. 

Dealing with your chronic pain is not just about trying to mask pain every day, it should be about discovering the source of the pain, listening to your body to discover what it needs to recover, and then giving it the chance to do so. 

A holistic approach that uses natural remedies, wellness techniques and mindful practices is the best way to speed up recovery, allow your body to heal and get yourself back up to 100%, with that quality of life that you’ve been missing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sophie Bishop is a medical, well-being and lifestyle writer. Passionate about raising awareness, she covers key healthcare and wellness issues to inform, provide actionable advice and engage readers. Contact Sophie via her website: https://sophiebishop.uk/.

REFERENCES: 

¹ “Life with Chronic Pain: ‘It Never Goes Away, You Just Learn to Live with It’,” ABC News, January 13, 2024, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-13/life-with-chronic-pain/103223482.

² “Magnesium and Muscle Cramps,” Diasporal, https://www.diasporal.com/en/magnesium-deficiency/effects/magnesium-cramps.

³ “Chronic Pain Management,” Recovery Australia, https://recovery.com/australia/chronic-pain-management/. 

⁴ “New Research Reveals Aussies’ Drinking Habits and How Pharmacists Can Help,” Retail Pharmacy Magazine, https://retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/new-research-reveals-aussies-drinking-habits-how-pharmacists-can-help/.

⁵  “Drinking Water and Your Health,” HealthDirect Australia, https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drinking-water-and-your-health.

⁶ “Mindfulness and Chronic Pain,” HealthDirect Australia, https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mindfulness.