Category: Health & Fitness

Some 40 million American adults suffer from severe and frequent pain. If you’re one of them, knowing that you’re not alone can be comforting. But it doesn’t take the pain away.

Long-term prescription painkiller use is concerning. About 40% of opioid drug overdose deaths happen on prescription opioids, not street drugs. Even more mild NSAID painkillers like aspirin or ibuprofen can wreak havoc in your body when used long term.

There must be a better solution for pain relief than medication.

There is. Check out these 9 natural pain relief options.

1. Exercise

Endorphins are the body’s own natural painkiller. Few people are aware of how effective this hormone can be at raising your pain threshold.

One of the best ways to release endorphins in the body is through regular exercise. For some people, though, pain is part of the reason they avoid exercise.

However, even starting small and gradually increasing your activity level can improve your symptoms. Gentle exercises like simple yoga moves and stretching can do wonders to get you started. Once you start feeling better, your body will actually crave exercise and you’ll enjoy it, further enhancing its pain diminishing effects.

2. Hot/Cold Compresses

For localized pain, alternating hot and cold compresses can be effective. This is especially helpful if exercise aggravates a certain pain. Exercise for the systemic effect and then use hot and cold compresses to relieve the most painful points.

Why does this work? The application of heat and cold cause the body to release heat-shock and cold-shock proteins. These help to reduce inflammation and naturally relieve the associated pain.

3. Curcumin

What if there were an anti-inflammatory you could take that was more effective than ibuprofen without the nasty side effects? Amazingly enough, there is!

Turmeric root contains the bioactive compound curcumin. This compound is highly effective at treating inflammation, one of the main underlying causes of pain.

You can get curcumin through eating turmeric root, but the concentration is very low (only about 2-5%). For best results, you should look for a curcumin supplement. Curcumin is fat soluble, so taking it with oil will help your body absorb it better.

4. Fish Oil

Fish oil is another powerful anti-inflammatory. The results are pretty impressive.

This study found that after taking fish oil for 75 days, nearly 60% of participants stopped taking their prescription painkillers. If you’re looking for a simple way to get away from medication, this could be it.

5. CBD Oil

Another oil that has been getting a lot of attention recently is CBD oil. Though it comes from the marijuana plant, it doesn’t have the same psychotropic effects as THC. Read more about the difference between CBD and THC here.

CBD oil is legal in 30 states but with restrictions and limited availability, hard evidence of its effects is still scant. Plus, without standard regulation, not all CBD oil is equal.

However, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence showing that CBD oil can be an effective treatment for pain. Just be sure to buy it from a reputable supplier.

6. Vitamin D

About 1 billion people globally are deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D is interesting in that simple sun exposure causes the body to naturally produce it. But with growing concerns about skin cancer, it seems that people are losing out on this important nutrient.

A vitamin D deficiency can affect your quality of sleep. Poor sleep can increase inflammation in the body and worsen your pain. If you don’t sleep well, trying a vitamin D supplement may help with that and your pain symptoms.

You could also try going for a walk outdoors every day to get a little exercise and vitamin D in one fell swoop.

7. Mediterranean Food

Processed foods and overconsumption of sugar can lead to excess inflammation in the body. If that tends to be the bulk of your diet, an overhaul might be in order.

Opting for a Mediterranean style diet full of fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, and olive oil can make a huge difference. This type of food will help regulate your blood sugar levels and control inflammation. If you’re overweight, this is a particularly good choice as it helps promote weight loss.

8. Acupuncture

Acupuncture treatments have been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine. Modern medicine is catching on and there is compelling evidence that the treatment is effective for pain relief.

The treatment involves sticking tiny needles into certain points of the body. Not only does this stimulate the release of healing hormones but also can affect the brain and cause it to experience pain differently.

Do you feel like you need a little something extra on top of diet, exercise, and supplements? Acupuncture could be what you’re looking for. Of course, be sure to seek out a licensed practitioner for best results and safety.

9. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

This might sound more like something that belongs in science fiction. But there is evidence that shows sending an electromagnetic pulse through the body’s tissues can help reduce inflammation.

This is one of the pricier options for natural pain relief on this list. But it definitely worth it to stay off prescription painkillers and still enjoy some pain relief.

You Can Find Natural Pain Relief

All this to say, natural pain relief is possible. Every person’s body is different so you may have to experiment a little to find the right method of pain relief for you.

Just know that there are plenty of options out there. You don’t have to choose between taking potentially dangerous medication and living with chronic pain. There are ways to avoid both altogether.

For more great health tips and tricks, be sure to visit our blog. We’re constantly updating with new information to help you live the best, healthiest life possible!

Substance abuse costs Americans around $740 billion every year.

The cost of drug rehab is a huge part of this figure, and many of those who struggle with addiction are unable to afford it.

If you or someone you love is one of them, there are options for you. In this post, we’ll tell you how you can make it work.

Ways to Cover the Cost of Drug Rehab

Drug and alcohol addiction can be devastating, but the cost of rehab doesn’t have to be. Here’s how you can afford it.

1. Use Non-Profit or State-Funded Rehab Centers

State-funded rehab centers offer treatment to low-income communities.

At these facilities, treatment is provided at very low prices, or sometimes even for free. Applicants simply need to provide proof of their income before they can be admitted. If it falls below a certain threshold, they’ll be accepted.

Non-profit organizations also offer help to people who can’t afford treatment. One of the most well-known ones is the Salvation Army. Their no-fee rehab programs include counseling, housing, food, and holistic work therapy.

2. Financing

Many treatment centers allow you to finance your addiction treatment plans, so you don’t have to pay hefty one-off fees. Instead, you can pay it off in small increments, at a pace you can afford to keep up with.

These centers can work with you to find a payment plan that fits into your budget, so rehabilitation costs don’t have to set you back.

3. Insurance

If you have private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, there are options for you. Some rehabilitation centers accept these types of insurance, so the majority of the costs are covered.

However, not all types of treatment are covered. The restrictions and limitations will differ depending on your individual insurance plan, so make sure you know exactly what’s included and what you’ll have to pay for yourself.

For example, Medicare covers treatment for alcohol or substance abuse. However, this is only for older adults age 65 and over.

4. Grants

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides grants to centers offering opiate addiction treatment, therapy, or counseling for addiction and mental health issues.

To be referred to one of their low-cost treatment centers, you can call their 24-hour hotline on 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

5. Personal Loans

When you can’t seem to cover the costs of rehabilitation in any other way, the last option is to apply for a short-term personal loan.

You may be able to get a personal loan from your bank, or from friends or family members. To raise some extra cash, you may also want to consider selling some personal assets.

You can also try fundraising. You can do this by holding fundraising events or creating crowdfunding campaigns on social media. When you do, you may be surprised by how many people are willing to help by making donations.

Avoid Addiction

Substance abuse doesn’t always mean addiction to alcohol or hard drugs.

Many people struggle with addictions to prescription drugs, too.

In many cases, this begins as misuse of painkillers that have been prescribed by a doctor. Then, it spirals into something more dangerous.

To avoid addiction and the cost of drug rehab, read our post on the addictive prescription meds you should avoid.

It’s normal for adults to have back pain from time to time, especially if the individual who’s dealing with it is under a lot of stress or not taking good care of their body. Everything from the quality of sleep you get to how active you are throughout the day plays into how much back pain you experience.

But, have you noticed your child bringing up their back pain more and more? Do you worry about their spine’s wellbeing?

If so, the time to educate yourself about spinal health is now. Here are 7 signs of back pain in kids as well as a bit of insight for how you can help them combat the pain.

1. Bad Posture

There’s a reason parents should teach their children to have good posture, and it goes way beyond presenting themselves well. Although keeping your shoulders back and your head up does do wonders for your confidence, the main purpose of good posture is to protect the spine.

When a child is constantly hunching over at their school desk or walking with their shoulders’ slouched, they’re putting unnecessary stress on their back. This can develop into chronic pain and lead to more troubling issues if not treated. As such, make sure you positively correct your children whenever you see them using bad posture.

2. Heavy Backpacks

Speaking of bad posture, admittedly, it’s hard to walk around with a straight back when lugging around a heavy backpack. If you notice your child is slouching under the weight of their school bag, suggest that they carry a few of their heavier books in their hands or offer to get them a rolling backpack.

The thing with rolling backpacks is they aren’t really “cool” after a certain age. But, the good news is that most middle schools and high schools have created systems that allow students to use more technology in the classroom and/or keep their schoolbooks at home. This prevents the need for them to carry everything around all the time.

3. A Developing Injury

Maybe it’s not how your child sits in school or everything they carry in between classes that are affecting their spine. Maybe it’s an injury from an extracurricular activity gone unnoticed.

It’s not like you wouldn’t know if your child was seriously injured. But, sometimes minor issues can develop into more intense pains.

This can happen when a muscle in the back is pulled or if a shoulder or neck injury starts affecting the neighboring areas of the body. The best thing to do in such situations is to seek out kids chiropractic care and get professional answers and treatment.

4. Disc Problems

Another sign that your child has back pain worth treating is if they have a disc problem. The spine is made of 23 discs in total from the neck to the lower back. All it takes is for one of these to be displaced for your child to feel an intense amount of pain, and as surprising as it may sound, it doesn’t take much to move a disc.

This can happen as a result of sudden movement or after a strong impact. It can create a sharp pain right away or grow in intensity over time. As such, the best thing to do is treat a dislocated disc the moment it’s identified.

5. Alignment Issues

As bad as it is to have a dislocated disc, that’s not the only spinal alignment issue that may occur in your child’s body. The other is a development issue that occurs in adolescence.

It’s possible for the spine to develop a curve that is a little different from the normal way it’s supposed to bend. The curve may be too far to one side or the other, or it could also be cramped like in the form of a hunchback.

The medical terms for alignment issues include scoliosis, lordosis, and kyphosis. Each one pertains to a unique alignment problem that may develop and require treatment. Treatment ranges from physical therapy and at-home stretching to surgery.

6. Spinal Infection

Brace yourself, because as bad as the issues mentioned above are, there are still some other possible reasons why your child’s back is hurting. The next thing to consider is the chance that your child has contracted a spinal infection. Such conditions are rare, but they’re definitely not impossible.

This would require very careful medical attention and treatment. It’s not like one visit to the chiropractor will cure this kind of situation, but most spinal infections do have a handful of treatment options available.

7. A Tumor

This is what every parent prays their child never gets. It’s one of the worst pieces of news you can receive as a family, however, it’s not something to rule out until you know for sure. There’s a chance your child’s back pain is the result of a tumor growing in their spine or back.

There is a bit of good news, though. Most tumors found in the spinal column are benign, which means they are noncancerous. As such, these tumors usually have a standard procedure to be fixed with.

Treating Back Pain in Kids

It’s a much different thing to treat back pain in kids as it is to identify the source. After all, a child who is dealing with scoliosis or a dislocated disc is not going to have the same treatment plan as one with a spinal infection or a serious spinal injury.

Everything is situational. But, there is hope for your child when you know what signs of back pain to look for and how to get help for the condition they have.

For more wellness and parenting tips to use with your family, click here.

Are you concerned about wrinkles, age spots, or fine lines? Do you want to keep your skin looking smooth and youthful for as long as possible? If you answered yes to either of those questions, you’re not alone.

The average woman spends more than $3,000 per year on her appearance, and a huge chunk of that money goes toward anti-aging products.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to keep your skin looking young and healthy. But, your pursuit of more youthful skin can wreak havoc on your wallet.

Luckily, you don’t have to break the bank to find anti aging products that work.

Read on to learn about ten affordable options that work just as well as their high-end counterparts.

What to Look for in Anti-Aging Products

From face masks to serums, there are a countless number of skin care products out there designed to slow down and/or reverse the signs of aging.

It’s easy to get duped into the thinking the product with the highest price tag or the prettiest packaging is the best option. That’s not necessarily the case, though.

Rather than buying into the claims on the label, try flipping a product over and taking a look at its ingredients list. This will tell you a lot about the quality of the product and whether or not it’s worth your investment.

The following are some of the best anti-aging ingredients you should look for in your skin care products:

Retinol: This is a vitamin A compound and antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and prevents the breakdown of skin cells that can lead to wrinkles.

Vitamin C: This is another potent antioxidant that can protect skin from sun damage.

Hydroxy acids: These are substances that can remove the upper layer of your skin and promote the growth of smooth new skin that is evenly pigmented

Coenzyme Q10: This helps to reduce wrinkles around the eyes and protects the skin from sun damage.

Peptides: Peptides promote wound healing and help prevent wrinkles.

Tea extracts: Tea extracts are filled with antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties that are great for the skin.

Fruit and seed extracts: Fruit and seed extracts are often loaded with antioxidants to protect and heal damaged skin.

Niacinamide: This is another antioxidant that reduces water loss in the skin and can improve its elasticity.

Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid helps promote wound healing and keeps the skin supple and moisturized.

If a product contains at least a few of these common anti-aging ingredients, there’s a greater chance that it will actually be effective.

Top Ten Anti Aging Products that Work

Now that you know which ingredients are most effective at slowing down and reversing the signs of aging, you’ll have an easier time sorting through products and figuring out which ones are worth spending money on.

Still feeling overwhelmed when it comes to skincare? The following products are all affordable and highly effective:

1. Olay Total Effects 7 in One Moisturizer Plus Touch of Sun

This moisturizer gently exfoliates the skin and contains niacinamide and beta hydroxy acid, both of which are highly effective at minimizing wrinkles and fine lines.

It also works as a gradual self-tanner, so you can give your skin a beautiful, subtle glow at the same time that you smooth it out.

2. Ambi Skincare Fade Cream

Ambi Skincare Fade Cream is great for lightening up dark spots. It’s a spot treatment that contains hydroquinone and alpha hydroxy acid.

Many people see results from this cream in as little as one month.

3. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15

If you want a more even skin tone and a boost in collagen production, this cream is for you. It contains retinol to smooth out the skin and increase elasticity, and it also contains sunscreen to protect the skin from future damage.

4. Garnier BB Cream Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector

This BB cream helps mask fine lines while also evening out skin tone for a smoother, more youthful look. It also contains hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin.

5. Eucerin Sensitive Skin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Lotion SPF 15

This gentle lotion is perfect for those with temperamental skin. It contains coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E, another antioxidant that helps repair damage and prevent breakdown. It also contains glycerin for additional moisture.

6. ArtNaturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum

A hyaluronic acid serum like this one is perfect for those who want to smooth out their skin’s texture and reduce the appearance of crow’s feet and under-eye bags. In addition to hyaluronic acid, it’s also made with green tea, aloe vera, and jojoba oil to provide additional moisture and reduce inflammation.

7. Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Facial Serum

This affordable but effective serum contains retinol to help fill in fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains essential minerals like zinc, magnesium, and copper for additional smoothing and firming.

8. Aveeno Positively Radiant Dark Spot Corrector

This is another highly effective product that helps lighten up age spots and even out skin tone. It also contains nourishing seed extracts and light-reflecting minerals that will prevent future age spots from showing up on the skin.

9. Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask

If your skin has gotten dry and dull as you’ve gotten older, this mask can help provide extra moisture and plump up your skin cells so your skin is supple and hydrated.

Since it contains collagen, it will also help promote skin elasticity and speed up the rejuvenation process.

10. Burt’s Bees Renewal Intensive Firming Serum

If natural products are your jam, this 99 percent natural serum from Burt’s Bees is a must. It contains apple and hibiscus extracts to helps smooth and firm the skin while evening out coloring and hydrating the skin cells.

Looking for More Skin Care Tips?

As you can see, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to find anti aging products that work. All of these products cost less than $20 and are just as effective as higher-end options.

Do you want to learn more about caring for your skin and choosing the right skincare products?

If so, check out the fashion and beauty section of the site today. It’s full of great tips and tricks that will help you keep your skin looking youthful and radiant.

Around 80% of heroin users misused prescription opioid medication before starting heroin. Avoid taking the most addictive prescription drugs or else it can cost you your life.

Drug overdoses take the lives of over 64,000 Americans each year. Prescription drug abuse is on the rise and has deadly consequences.

The more you can avoid these 5 prescription drugs, the better:

1. Most Addictive Prescription Drugs: Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid painkiller. It’s 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than pharmaceutical-grade heroin. These qualities make Fentanyl one of the most addictive painkillers you can ever take.

Fentanyl’s increased potency leads to many overdoses. People often think they are taking less of this drug than they actually are, making overdoses more likely.

Some people mix Fentanyl with heroin. This is especially dangerous.

2. Adderall

People often wonder, “Is Adderall an opiate?” No, Adderall isn’t an opiate, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous.

Adderall is a stimulant medication used to treat ADHD. It’s also used as a cognitive enhancer.

People are more likely to abuse this medication because it’s addictive. Recreationally, users experience euphoria, increased sex drive, and the ability to stay awake for long periods of time.

At high doses, Adderall can cause psychosis. It can also cause tachycardia, convulsions, and coma.

3. Gabapentin

Gabapentin is a medication used for treating nerve pain and reducing seizures. Gabapentin is also sometimes prescribed to treat bipolar disorder, depression, fibromyalgia, and migraines. It’s usually prescribed with other medications and not often taken alone.

People enjoy the gabapentin high because it induces feelings of euphoria, peace, and relaxation. Users only experience this high when they take more than the recommended dose of Gabapentin.

Because Gabapentin is slow-acting, people often think they’ve taken less than they actually have. This increases the likelihood of an overdose. If used on a long-term basis, users develop a tolerance that also puts them at an increased risk of an overdose.

4. Suboxone

Suboxone is a synthetic opioid that’s prescribed to treat moderate/severe pain. It’s most common use is to help people who are addicted to opioids like heroin.

Although Suboxone is prescribed to treat opioid addictions, its side effects are similar to those of opioids. People often abuse Suboxone for its effects. Suboxone causes a high that can last for longer than 2 days.

Suboxone can cause dizziness, memory loss, cognitive impairment, intense drowsiness, and death from respiratory suppression. Users often take Suboxone with alcoholic drinks or other drugs because of its diminished effect, increasing the likelihood of an overdose.

5. Vicodin

Vicodin is a painkiller that’s 1 of the most addictive pills you can take. Vicodin contains hydrocodone, an opioid substance.

Vicodin is commonly prescribed to treat pain. While Vicodin doesn’t actually decrease pain, it alters the user’s perception of pain.

Taking more Vicodin than recommended causes a high. Users report feelings of increased well-being and reduced stress. The dangers of Vicodin are similar to the dangers of taking opioids (including death).

Stay Safe Instead of Sorry

Around 1 in 10 people struggle with some kind of drug addiction. Taking the most addictive prescription drugs can land you in a local hospital or, even worse, a graveyard.

In the United States, at least 54 million people over the age of 12 have used prescription medication for non-medical reasons at some point in their life. That number is steadily increasing.

Your life is worth more than this.

Start living your best life and learn more about improving your health. It’s the best decision you’ll ever make.