Four Unconventional Techniques For Managing Abdominal Pain
IBD sufferers frequently experience abdominal pain. This is often chronic and debilitating. In other cases, it can force you to go to the hospital for an obstruction. Certainly, at the very least, it is often something that requires day-to-day management.
Because this is such a common problem among Crohn’s sufferers, I'm sharing four treatments I've used over the years to help manage my own abdominal pain. Consult with your doctor before trying any of these methods. Also, be sure to research them to ensure they are an appropriate fit for you.
DMSO for pain control
DMSO has been used for many years as a means of pain control. It is a liquid you apply topically on the affected area—in this case, the abdomen. Let it sit there for ten minutes or so before washing it off. Note: DMSO is a solvent, which means it absorbs anything it comes in contact with into your bloodstream.
Hence, before applying it, you should wash the affected area and your hands with filtered water and then do so again after. I have had some success with DMSO. There was a 60 Minutes episode on DMSO.
Using essential oils for abdominal pain
An M.D. who explored alternative modalities suggested I rub blue chamomile essential oil around my navel when feeling lousy. This is certainly not a cure. But I’ve found it to be relaxing. It additionally frequently makes some of my deleterious pain symptoms more manageable.
Smokeless Moxa Sticks
This is a pain management aid from the field of Chinese Medicine. Working on the same principles as acupuncture, a Moxa Stick is a black stick shaped like a cigar. You place this stick over a flame till it starts to burn. You then wait till it heats up and bring it close to key pressure points that aid in digestion.
One is the navel...you encircle the area for a few minutes. Another is right below the knee on each leg...you hold it there for a few minutes. The goal is to get close to the skin, but obviously don’t touch it (as you don’t want to get burned). Note: Get the smokeless moxa sticks because the smoke sticks will smell up your apartment and possibly even set off your fire alarm.
Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathic Medicine was developed by a German physician, Samuel Hahnemann in 1796. Some question its effectiveness, even referring to it as a pseudo-science. Maybe. Or perhaps it’s just a placebo.
All I know is I buy these little blue tubes they sell at health food markets, put the five pellets under my tongue, and sometimes feel relief. It's certainly not a cure, granted, but it's nice to have another treatment option to fall back on.
Thanks for reading, and if you have questions about any of the treatment modalities mentioned above, feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to help in any way I can.
Additionally, I'd love to hear about your own strategies for managing abdominal pain and moderating other deleterious symptoms in the comments below.
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