HOW TO LIVE
PAIN
FREE
WE ASKED HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS FOR
ADVICE ON FIVE COMMON
TYPES OF PAIN AND THE
TREATMENTS AND LIFESTYLE
CHANGES THAT CAN HELP
N
ot surprisingly,
pain is one of
the most
common
reasons people
visit their doctor. Whether
it’s a headache that lasts acouple of hours or longer-
term arthritic pain, it can
make life miserable and can
affect quality of life. Seeing
your doctor to identify the
cause is always the first
port of call and once youhave a diagnosis there are
a range of treatments,
therapies and lifestyle
modifications that can
make a big difference.
Experts explain some of
the options that can help.BACK PAIN
Back pain is often caused by
something as simple as bending
over to pick something up, says
osteopath Danny Williams from
Melbourne’s South Yarra
Osteopathy. “The body’s made
up of lots of moving parts, so to
have them all working properly
is difficult,” he explains.
What can help? “Gentle
exercise is good – start slowly
and gradually build up,”
says Danny. “Eating in
moderation is important,
too – for every half-kilo
you’re overweight, it
puts four times as much
strain on your body,”
he says. “Also, try not
to do anything for
long periods – too much
sitting isn’t good, but
neither is too muchstanding. Everything
in moderation.”ARTHRITIS PAIN
In arthritis, pain can be caused
by inflammation, damage to
joints and muscle tension from
trying to protect joints frompainful movements, says
Arthritis Australia.
What can help?
Non-weight-bearing
exercise that gently
articulates the joints is
beneficial, says Danny.
“Swimming is good, but just be
careful with your neck if you do
breaststroke.” Food can also have
an impact on arthritic pain, says
Melbourne nutritionist
Samantha Gemmell. “Fatty
or oily fish are a potent
source of omega-3 fatty
acids, which are
incredibly anti-
inflammatory,” she says.
“Or if you prefer
plant-based sources,
include walnuts, chia
seeds, flaxseeds and
hemp seeds daily to
reap the benefits.”PERIOD PAIN
Period pain can be due to raised
levels of prostaglandins, which
cause cramps. It can also be
due to conditions such as
endometriosis and fibroids.
What can help?
There is a range of natural
options for symptom relief.
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health
suggests:- Applying heat to the
lower back or belly to help
relax muscles.
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