Alternative Pain Relief Ideas

Pain is the one symptom that seems to characterise endometriosis more than any other and its a challenge to manage it adequately. While severe pain almost always requires the assistance of a medical professional, mild to moderate pain may respond to one or more of these ideas. 

• Heat it Up - One of the first things I reach for when I have pain is a heating pad. Heat works by stimulating the sensory receptors of the skin, which in turn blocks the transmission of pain to the brain. In simple terms, the heat sensation gives your brain something else to focus on. Whether you use a plug-in heating pad, gel packs, a hot water bottle, a homemade rice pillow, or the new air-activated heat wraps from ThermaCare, heat can take the edge off of mild to moderate pain. However, always take care not to burn yourself while using heat therapy. And never fall asleep with a plug-in heating pad!
• Cool it Down There was a time when I avoided putting anything cold on my body because it seemed contrary to intuition. Lately, however, Ive discovered the pain relieving wonders of ice packs. Ice can help provide relief by temporarily numbing the tissue like a local anaesthetic. It also interrupts pain signals between the nerves.
  
  If you want to try ice therapy, consider purchasing a flexible gel ice pack from a drug store or pharmaceutical supply company. These gel packs are easy to use and conform to the body. In a pinch, you can use a package of frozen peas or frozen corn and simply re-freeze the package for your next ice session. (But please dont eat these vegetables since the package has thawed.) Also, be sure to use a cloth barrier, such as a towel, between the ice and the skin. Never put ice directly on the skin! Many professionals recommend using ice for a maximum of ten minutes, then waiting at least an hour before re-icing. Ice should also not be used by people with Raynauds Syndrome, a condition in which temperature drops cause the small arteries to close.
• Dietary Changes During a meeting of more than 50 women with endometriosis in Houston, Texas (USA) a few years ago, an informal show of hands revealed that the single most important factor in alleviating pain within the group was dietary modification. That was probably because most of the women in attendance had been exposed to the ideas of John R. Mathias, M.D., a neuro-gastroenterologist in Houston. In published research¹, Dr. Mathias suggests that a biochemical imbalance occurs in women with endometriosis when their diet consists of an excessive intake of glycemic carbohydrates and lack of essential fatty acids. 
  
  This implies that women with endometriosis (especially bowel endometriosis) may find relief by supplementing their diets with omega 3 oils (found in fish oil and flax seed oil) and omega 9 oils (found in olive oil, canola oil, and peanut oil). It also suggests that bowel symptoms may decrease when foods that encourage the production of bad prostaglandins (the chemicals in our bodies responsible for cramps, spasms, and excitatory transmissions) are reduced or eliminated. These foods include red meat, alcohol, chocolate, and soy. Additionally, reducing consumption of high-glycemic foods such as potatoes, rice, wheat, bread, carrots, and corn may also be beneficial. Antioxidants to the Rescue? In 1998, physicians at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) showed that Vitamin E content was significantly lower in the peritoneal fluid (the fluid that lines the pelvic cavity) of women who have endometriosis compared with controls.² They theorised that may be one explanation for the increased number of inflammatory cells in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. That being the case, it might be reasonable for women with endometriosis to supplement with Vitamin E. However, before taking any supplement, check with your physician. 
• Get Adequate Sleep - Pain of any kind is almost always worse at night. It can interrupt your sleep patterns and make you tired the next day. Since your body isnt as effective at fighting pain when its sleep-deprived, its important for women with endometriosis to get a good nights sleep. But how? One way is by creating softer bedding. I recently added a memory foam topper to my existing mattress and benefited from it immediately. Other choices include natural wool or feather and goose down toppers. If you are in the market for an entirely new mattress, consider choosing one that will provide support and softness. New choices include adjustable airbeds, waterbeds, foam beds, and traditional innerspring mattresses with pillow tops that contains memory foam. Whatever product you choose, you will likely find that a softer mattress alleviates pressure points and lulls you into a deeper sleep where pain doesnt easily wake you. Other natural sleep remedies include valerian, lemon balm, passion flower, and chamomile tea. Before taking any supplement, however, check with your physician.
• Exercise This is another pain management idea that seems contrary to common sense. Shouldnt you rest if youre in pain? Yes, of course if the pain is severe. But if youre experiencing mild to moderate pain, light stretching movements or low-impact exercises that dont jostle (such as Pilates, walking, or swimming) may actually reduce pain by releasing pain-killing substances called endorphins. Regular daily activity also increases energy, lowers oestrogen levels, and enhances mood all good things for women who suffer with endometriosis.