How Pets Can Ease Chronic Pain? Best Ways To Relieve Pain!
It is said that pets are man’s best friend. But, how many of you value their existence? Do you know that pets are healers who can ease chronic pain? If not, go through this article to find out how pets help in healing your mental as well as physical baggage.
Is It Possible For Pets To Ease Chronic Pain?
As you all know, pets are the best companions of humankind. A dog, cat, or any other pet not only gives you company but also various health benefits. Researchers on the interaction between humans and animals is a new thing and the studies are getting more intense and interesting.
It is found that pets help in getting rid of chronic pain in adults. Let us see how they help in managing pain and provide emotional support.
1️⃣ Animal help us feel lighter without the aid of any medication
Scientists say that the way we face our illnesses impacts our healing process. So, if you feel lighter and positive, then it assists in curing your pain and makes you feel better. Studies have shown that people with pets feel more positive and active and recover from chronic aches. When you are around pets, they enhance your mood and thereby give you a positive vibe. They keep the surroundings active and even help you in socializing with people across online platforms like Facebook groups for pet lovers and also to interact with people nearby while taking your pets for a walk. This will refresh your mind and help you to deal with diseases without any medication. In this way, you can stay healthy and active.
2️⃣ Pets keeps you distracted and engaged
Pets are beings that need constant care and attention. Owning a pet is as pleasurable and engaging and at the same time a huge responsibility. You have to look after their needs like food requirements, vaccination, and much more. So, you cannot remain idle when there are pets around. It is your responsibility to keep your pets healthy and safe. Thus, you remain engaged while looking after pet animals and this will help in getting distracted from pains and chronic aches. Also, playing with pets brings you immense happiness and laughter. This again lessens your thoughts about pain and illnesses and keeps you distracted in a good way.
3️⃣ Pets reduce stress and anxiety
As stated in the beginning, pets keep you stress-free and help in getting rid of emotional baggage. There is solid scientific evidence supporting this. As you interact with pet animals, the levels of cortisol which is a stress-related hormone decrease, and blood pressure also gets lowered. Studies have found that therapy dog visits bring significant change in mental health.
For those who are unaware, let me make it clear. Therapy dogs are trained by several organizations and these dogs are taken to hospitals and other places where they interact with patients suffering from chronic illnesses like cancer and dementia. These dogs play with people and cheer them up thus keeping their thoughts away from their diseases and relieving their stress. There have been significant changes in stress, anxiety, and mood of people through these therapies. They are becoming popular now and you can try them out.
4️⃣ Animal Assisted Therapies (AAT) are becoming the new treatment for dealing with chronic pain
As the name suggests, animal-assisted therapy (also known as animal therapy or pet therapy) is the care and service given to people suffering from specific mental and physical conditions with the help of pet animals. Interacting with animals provides comfort and pleasure. Another crucial thing is that they alert others when someone is in danger. In this way, they are becoming a kind of alternative treatment that helps in enhancing the effects of medical treatments.
You might have often heard this saying, “Laugh lots, live longer.” Laughing is good therapy for your health and when you are around animals, they make you laugh more and enjoy even the littlest of things. This is what happens when you are surrounded by pets. They reduce boredom and loneliness and also lead to overall well-being.
At present, researchers across the world are studying the impact animals can have on children with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other health conditions.
5️⃣ Pet animals keep you very active and this helps in alleviating pain
As you bond and play with pet animals, your movements increase. As a result, your activity also increases. People with pets go for walks and this becomes a daily exercise. With movement, your joints become active and related pains come down. So, playing and going for a walk with pet animals will reduce joint pains, boost your metabolism and energy, help in balancing your weight, enhance your strength, balance, and flexibility and fight against fatigue. These exercises also contribute to healthy sleep patterns.
Animals providing Healing And How to Spend More Time With Them
Animals that provide companionship, as well as ease illnesses, are mostly dogs and cats. They need cuddling and also bond easily with people. People who have pets find it easier to spend time with them. Those who do not own pets but need healing from them can opt for the following ways:
✅ The easiest way is to interact with pets of your relatives or even friends because you can often visit them or take them to your homes to experience the effect that these animals have on you. With this feeling, you can make the right choice whether to have a pet or not. In any case, you can feel better around them.
✅ Therapy dogs are good for your health. So, try out these therapy sessions that usually last for around 15 minutes. Therapy dogs are trained ones, so you needn’t be afraid of them. They bond instantly and engage you.
✅ You can also try feeding stray animals because this not only engages you and lifts your health but will also be a helping hand for these animals. At present, people are coming forward to feed stray dogs and other animals and this is truly a therapy for your mind and physical health.
Conclusion
So, in this article, you have come across how petting animals can be beneficial for our lives. They help in easing pain and other ailments. Animals like dogs and cats bond instantly and contribute to your overall well-being. So, if you haven’t tried out bonding with them, do it as soon as possible and see how they brighten up your life.
PainPathways Magazine
PainPathways is the first, only and ultimate pain magazine. First published in spring 2008, PainPathways is the culmination of the vision of Richard L. Rauck, MD, to provide a shared resource for people living with and caring for others in pain. This quarterly resource not only provides in-depth information on current treatments, therapies and research studies but also connects people who live with pain, both personally and professionally.
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