Pain relief was around well since the dawn of civilization when people observed that some herbs can reduce the intensity of pain. Since then the approach to pain management has evolved dramatically, going through countless forms, lotions, potions and other methods in use. Today we certainly know more about pain and its effective management but still there are too many options available for most of us to get confused in the moments when pain relief is actually needed. And in order to make some things a bit more clear, here's a short overview of the most popular form of pain relief in use today.

Topical solutions

Cremes, gels, balms and lotions containing analgesic agents are definitely the most popular option among people who have suffered physical trauma. There's a wide selection of active ingredients used both natural and synthetic, and it's often just a matter of personal preference. As the name of the category suggests, topical solutions are intended to be applied to the exact point of injury topically. The agents contained in these solutions numb the nerve endings in the affected area and reduce the intensity of inflammation caused by trauma. That's why topical solutions are most effective for acute pain caused by trauma but aren't really useful in cases of internal or neurological pain.

Oral medications

Oral pills are definitely the most widespread and commonly used form of pain relief. There are many different drugs used as oral painkillers. Drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen are often used as painkillers, however these drugs are intended to reduce inflammation and only help if there's an actual inflammatory process going on and causing pain. The most popular painkiller drug in the US, Ultram, works differently - it blocks nerve signals transmitted to the brain, which helps effectively relieve virtually any type of pain. There are other drugs that work like Ultram as it's one of the most effective methods of dealing with both acute and chronic pain.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is often prescribed for relieving pain associated with physical trauma and joint conditions such as arthritis. It involves manipulation of the affected area, massaging and putting some pressure in order to restore proper functioning of the muscles and tissues in the area and promote faster recovery. Physical therapy should only be performed by professionals since it requires expertise in the domain in order to be really effective. This method isn't particularly helpful in cases of acute pain but it certainly helps with chronic pain conditions.

Electric/magnetic therapy

These two methods use different means to achieve the same effects that's why they are often regarded as one. Electric therapy is usually delivered with the use of TENS units, which use low-intensity electric currents to stimulate the production of endorphins - natural painkillers found in human body. Magnetic therapy also stimulates the production of these substances only by using magnetic fields from small magnets applied to the affected area. Both these methods are quite helpful in cases of chronic pain but won't provide much help if there's a serious injury with severe acute pain.