What are the Non-drug methods of pain relief?
Heat and cold: Heat, cold or a combination of the two can be useful for joint pain. Heat can be applied in a number of different ways – with warm towels, hot packs, or a warm bath or shower. Heat increases blood flow and eases pain and stiffness. In some cases, cold packs (bags of ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel), which reduce inflammation, can relieve pain or numb the sore area. (Check with a doctor or physiotherapist to find out if heat or cold which is a more suitable treatment.) Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): TENS is a technique that uses a small electronic device to direct mild electric pulses to nerve endings that lie beneath the skin in the painful area. TENS may relieve some arthritis pain. It seems to work by blocking pain messages to the brain and by modifying pain perception. Massage: In this pain-relief approach, a massage therapist will lightly stroke and/or knead the painful muscles. This increases blood flow and brings warmth to a stresse
