Migraine is a complex condition with a wide variety of  symptoms. For many people the main feature is a painful headache. Other symptoms include disturbed vision, sensitivity to light, sound and smells, feeling sick and vomiting. Migraine attacks can be very frightening and may result in you having to lie still for several hours.

Essential Oils serve as headache treatments because they safely and effectively treat the headache trigger, getting to the root of the problem instead of minimizing the pain temporarily. Plus, when using essential oils for headaches, there are no nasty side effects and you are in complete control of your dose,adjusting it for the type of headache you experience.

Here are few ESSENTIAL OILS that can help in pain relief:

Rosemary Oil: Rosemary oil has powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain killing) properties. It’s been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years for stress reduction, pain relief, and improved circulation, which can all help headaches. One study even found that rosemary oil helped with withdrawal symptoms. It also helps reduce insomnia and relax muscles, which can help with headaches.

Lavender Oil: Lavender essential oil has a variety of therapeutic and curative properties. It induces relaxation and relieves tension and stress,working as a sedative, antidepressant, anti-anxiety, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and calming agent. There is also growing evidence that lavender oil serves as an effective treatment of neurological conditions and disorders.

Peppermint Oil: Peppermint is a refreshing and uplifting oil that helps reduce mental fatigue and improve concentration. It is a great tonic for the digestive system, which makes it particularly helpful for gastric based headaches. The menthol in peppermint also helps clear the respiratory tract, easing symptoms of sinus blockage and other cold symptoms.

Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus works as an expectorant,it helps cleanse the body of toxins and harmful micro organisms. It also opens the nasal airways and eliminates sinus pressure that can lead to a nasty headache, all while promoting emotional balance and boosting mood.

Misconceptions about chronic pain can do harm to people with legitimate medical problems. Patients with chronic pain can and should be treated. Dispelling these damaging myths should raise awareness and encourage more people to seek help with a professional trained in treating chronic pain.

Myth 1.The side effects of opiate painkillers turn people into zombies and can stop their breathing.

Fact: Most side effects are mild, tolerable, treatable, occur at the beginning of therapy, and fade with time. Common side effects include constipation, drowsiness, and dry mouth. Careful adjustment of dosages and attention to patient concerns help alleviate most side effects.

Myth 2.Ignoring the pain will make it go away.

Fact: In most cases, ignoring ongoing pain will not make it go away, and it may even get worse. It is better to seek help from a caring, experienced specialist when pain persists and becomes a problem.

Myth 3.People who take powerful opiate (“narcotic”) pain medication become drug addicts.

Fact: Opiates are highly effective for many types of pain and can be given safely. Physical dependence from pain relievers is different from addiction. Drug addiction is characterized by compulsive craving and use of a drug, which results in physical, psychological, and social harm to the user. An addict’s drug use continues in spite of predictable, consistent harm (self-destructive behavior.) The vast majority of people taking opiate medications for pain management do NOT become addicted. Drug dependence, where the body becomes used to the presence of a drug, can occur with the prolonged use of some pain relievers.

Myth 4.If people seek treatment or complain about their pain, it means they’re weak.

Fact: Seeking treatment has nothing to do with being weak. Many people with chronic pain feel trapped and helpless, and do not want to burden anyone else with their problem. It is important for them to realize that there is no need to suffer because effective treatments are available.

First and foremost, Pain is a very sensitive topic and quite a common issue as well. We all suffer from some kind of pain… sometimes it’s short term… and sometimes it’s impossible to get rid of… Well If you are already in a lot of pain you should not ignore it and go for proper treatment… For now we can talk about how to avoid pain or can minimize it to a certain level….

Here are 4 ways to beat the pain in Heat!!

Avoid Pain Trigger Foods- If you are suffering from migraine or neuralgic pain you should avoid eating certain types of food like spices, excessive salt, caffeine, cola, are known pain triggers, its better to avoid these in this season.

Drink lots of water- We all know Water is such a substance which helps in curing a lot of diseases. So why not pain.

It’s very essential to keep our body hydrated. Summer heat removes necessary fluids from our body, so its important for us to drink at least 3-4lts of water daily. Water prevents joint pain and cramps. Not only that we should stay away from alcohol, coffee or anything else which promotes dehydration.

Exercise within limits– It’s always recommended to do some exercise if you are suffering from pain. But anything more than a certain limit is dangerous especially in summers. So it will be preferred if one can exercise indoors in a cool place rather than under scotching sun or in the early morning. The best type of exercise during summers is swimming.

Continue with your regular Pain Medications – If you’re taking regular medicines prescribed by your Pain Specialist, do continue them throughout the season. Take your doctor’s advise while changing any medicines. Warning: Take regular pain medicines only when prescribed by a Specialist. Often, self-medication on painkillers does more harm than good

These are few tips to give you some relief in this unbearable heat. These tips will surely help you to fight pain, but remember, pain becomes unbearable despite taking these precautions, you should visit a Specialist Doctor at the earliest to get a definitive diagnosis and start your treatment. Pain is a complicated problem, and when ignored for long, it can worsen very rapidly.

TIPS TO HEALTIER BACK-Dr Krishna Poddar

• Sit in a high-back chair with arm rests. Sitting in a soft couch or chair will tend to make you round your back and won’t support the hollow of your back.
• At work, adjust your chair height and work station so you can sit up close to your work and tilt it up at you. Rest your elbows and arms on your chair or desk, keeping your shoulders relaxed.
• When sitting in a chair that rolls and pivots, don’t twist at the waist while sitting. Instead, turn your whole body.
• When standing up from the sitting position, move to the front of the seat of your chair. Stand up by straightening your legs. Avoid bending forward at your waist. Immediately stretch your back by doing 10 standing backbends.

Driving

• Use a back support (lumbar roll) while sitting or driving in the car.
• Move the seat close to the steering wheel to support the hollow of your back.

Standing

• Stand with your head up, shoulders straight, chest forward, weight balanced evenly on both feet and your hips tucked in.
• Avoid standing in the same position for a long time.
• If possible, adjust the height of the work table to a comfortable level.
• When standing, try to elevate one foot by resting it on a stool or box. After several minutes, switch your foot position.
• While working in the kitchen, open the cabinet under the sink and rest one foot on the inside of the cabinet. Change feet every 5 to 15 minutes.

Stooping, Squatting, Kneeling

• Decide which position to use. Kneel when you have to go down as far as a squat but need to stay that way for awhile. For each of these positions, face the object, keep your feet apart, tighten your stomach muscles and lower yourself using your legs.

Lifting Objects

• Try to avoid lifting objects if at all possible.
• If you must lift objects, do not try to lift objects that are awkward or are heavier than 30 pounds.
• Before you lift a heavy object, make sure you have firm footing.
• To pick up an object that is lower than the level of your waist, keep your back straight and bend at your knees and hips. Do not bend forward at the waist with your knees straight.
• Stand with a wide stance close to the object you are trying to pick up and keep your feet firm on the ground. Tighten your stomach muscles and lift the object using your leg muscles. Straighten your knees in a steady motion. Don’t jerk the object up to your body.
• Stand completely upright without twisting. Always move your feet forward when lifting an object.
• If you are lifting an object from a table, slide it to the edge to the table so that you can hold it close to your body. Bend your knees so that you are close to the object. Use your legs to lift the object and come to a standing position.
• Avoid lifting heavy objects above waist level.
• Hold packages close to your body with your arms bent. Keep your stomach muscles tight. Take small steps and go slowly.
• To lower the object, place your feet as you did to lift, tighten stomach muscles and bend your hips and knees.

Reaching Overhead

• Use a foot stool or chair to bring yourself up to the level of what you are reaching.
• Get your body as close as possible to the object you need.
• Use two hands to lift.

Sleeping and Laying Down

• Select a firm mattress and box spring set that does not sag.
• If you’ve always slept on a soft surface, it may be more painful
• Try to sleep in a position which helps you maintain the curve in your back (such as on your back with a lumbar roll or on your side with your knees slightly bent). Do not sleep on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest.

When standing up from the lying position, turn on your side, draw up both knees and swing your legs on the side of the bed. Sit up by pushing yourself up with your hands. Avoid bending forward at your waist.

Arthritis is a group of painful and degenerative conditions marked by inflammation in the joints that causes stiffness and pain. Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, gets worse with age and is caused by wear and tear over the years.

Doctors traditionally treat arthritis with anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers. However, some medications cause side effects, and a natural approach to pain relief is becoming more popular. Remember to consult your doctor before trying these natural remedies.

1.Hot and cold therapy:

Simple hot nad cold therapy can make a world of difference  when it comes to artritis pain. Long hot showers or baths escpecially in the mornings, helps ease stiffness in your joints. Use an electric blanket or moist heating pad to keep your joints loose

Cold treatments are best for relieving  joint pain, swelling, and inflammation. Wrap a gel ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and apply it to painful joints for quick relief.

2.Include the right fatty acids in your diet:

Everyone needs omega-3 fatty acids in their diet for optimum health. These fats also help your arthritis. Fish oil supplements, which are high in omega-3s, have been shown to reduce joint stiffness and pain.

Another fatty acid that can help is gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA. It’s found in the seeds of certain plants such as evening primrose, borage, hemp, and black currants. You can also buy the oils of the seeds as a supplement. However, be sure to check with your doctor before taking them.

3.Consider Herbal supplements:

There are many kinds of Herbal supplements in the market that claim to reduce joint pain. Some of the Herbal touted for arthritis pain are:

• Boswellia
• bromelian
• devil’s claw
• ginkgo
• stinging nettle
• thunder god vine

Always talk to your doctor before trying a new supplement to avoid side effects and dangerous drug interactions

4.Get a massage:

According to the Arthritis Foundation, regular massaging of arthritis joints can help reduce pain and stiffness and your range of motion. Work with a physiotherapist to learn self-massage, or schedule appointments with a massage therapist regularly.