The Most Effective Chronic Pain Relief Tips For Seniors
Many seniors struggle with chronic pain. That pain can be worse in the winter when the temperature dip, especially if your senior loved one has a drafty house. Medications can help but there are also some things that seniors and their family caregivers or companion care at home providers can do to help seniors relieve chronic pain like:
Drink Herbal Tea
Herbal teas are gentle and warming. They can be very comforting to drink. And depending on the type of tea they may also have medicinal properties. Peppermint and ginger teas can soothe pain and upset stomachs. But the best herbal tea for seniors to drink to alleviate pain is turmeric tea. Turmeric is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory and can reduce the inflammation that causes chronic pain. A delicious way seniors can enjoy turmeric for pain relief is to boil milk with turmeric, cinnamon, clove, and other spices and drink it hot. A companion care at home provider can make this for your senior loved one if your senior can’t comfortably use the stove themselves.
Use A Flax Seed Filled Pad
Another great pain reliever for seniors is a flax seed filled pillow or pad. Usually these pillows are made from soft cotton fabric and they are filled with flax seeds and herbs. They come in many sizes and shapes. Some are U-shaped and are made to be used around the neck and shoulders. Others are small and meant to be used on knees, hands, or over the eyes to help with headaches. The great thing about these pillows and pads is that they can be used cold from the freezer or warm. If your senior loved one or a companion care at home provider heats them up in the microwave they will hold heat for about a half an hour. The warm gentle pressure can do wonders for relieving aches and pain. And when used cold after being kept in the freezer for a few hours they are fantastic for relieving acute joint pain and headaches.
Gentle Movement
Movement can help relieve pain as long as the movement is gentle. Easy yoga stretches, gentle walking, or just stretching in a chair can all help seniors alleviate pain. Just make sure that if your senior loved one is going for a walk they have the proper footwear for walking. Walking in the wrong footwear can cause muscle aches and strains to get worse instead of better. Seniors who have a regular yoga practice or that do Tai Chi often report lower amount of chronic pain.
A Hot Bath Or Shower
Seniors who have all over pain that flares up because of chronic conditions can sometimes get relief from taking a hot bath or shower. The gentle pressure of a hot shower can help break up muscle tension and relax stiff muscles. And a hot bath is a wonderful way for seniors to soothe their sore muscles when the weather is cold and is causing pain to be worse.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senir care in Highland Park, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.
- Understanding the Importance of Planning for a Hospital Stay - April 23, 2024
- Getting Seniors to Talk About Feelings of Loneliness - April 17, 2024
- Helping Seniors Reduce Pain and Discomfort to Gain a Good Night’s Sleep - April 10, 2024