Natural options for pain relief can sometimes seem expensive and more time consuming than grabbing a NSAID (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) from the closest store, so it's important to understand WHY you may want to focus on more natural options instead of the common over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines.  So, let’s review the top three most commonly used pain meds.

Acetaminophen: A quite common over-the-counter (OTC) drug which works by interfering with the pain signal that tells your brain you're hurting (aka Band-Aid, NOT treatment). And while great for the occasional ache or pain, many people don't know that acetaminophen is the No. 1 cause of acute liver failure in the United States and also the No. 1 overdose seen in emergency rooms—mostly due to people taking them too often or incorrectly. This drug can potentially inhibit the liver's ability to produce glutathione, an important master antioxidant, which leaves the body vulnerable to disease and accelerated aging.

Opiates: Well-known, highly addictive, prescription drugs that also work to cover up the pain signal (aka Stronger Band-Aid). Designed to be used as a last resort for short-term pain management or for pain that proves unresponsive to any other intervention, has seen a drastic upswing in long-term use (and frequent abuse).

NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): Instead of blocking the pain signal, these drugs work instead by reducing inflammation. Although that may sound great, the way in which they reduce inflammation can cause a myriad of problems. NSAIDS wipe out an enzyme system that is part of the inflammation cascade, and the body doesn't function well with the impairment of an entire enzyme system. Because of this, they have the potential to cause, ulcers, erosion of the stomach and intestinal lining and can double or triple of the risk of heart attack and stroke.  These are pretty serious side effects for meds so easily accessible and widely used (abused)!

Now that you know what you may want to avoid and why, let’s talk about those attractive natural options!

Exercise, Dance, and Yoga

“People who exercise and maintain a good aerobic condition will improve most pain conditions,” says Charles Kim, MD, assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine and anesthesiology and a certified medical acupuncturist at Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Medical Center.

When we work out, he says, the body produces its own version of painkillers, such as endorphins, hormones that actually increase your pain threshold. Endorphins interact with brain receptors and can change our perception of pain.

When patients tell Dr. Kim they are in too much pain to exercise, he suggests they start slowly, and do even a little burst of walking or other activity — then build up.

In one review of non-pharmacologic treatments for chronic pain, researchers concluded that exercise was moderately effective.

Dance and Yoga have also proven effective in reducing stress levels associated with pain management and treatments.  For sufferers of chronic pain, yoga can be of benefit especially for fibromyalgia, neck pain, back pain and arthritis. 

Heat and Ice Therapy

Heat and ice therapy in many forms helps to relieve pain and discomfort. When it comes to natural pain relief, sometimes the basics are the best. The temperature change from hot to cold and back again triggers anti-inflammatory heat-shock and cold-shock proteins One way heat therapy aids in pain relief is that it dilates the blood vessels of the muscles which increases oxygen flow and nutrients to the muscles, helping to heal the damaged tissue. Ice therapy can reduce inflammation by applying an ice pack to the affected area. Ice helps by acting as a local anesthetic interrupting the pain signals.

CBD for Natural Pain Relief

Studies indicate that CBD inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain, two of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat.  It has also shown promise in lowering pain and inflammation due to arthritis. Many Consumers are successfully using CBD to replace high-risk prescription pain meds.

“In the best case scenarios, my patients have completely eliminated the use of opioids and just use CBD on an as needed basis to manage their pain.”
– Dr Rachna Patel

Your Natural Healthcare provides a wide array of CBD products to best suit your needs!

Curcumin for Pain Relief

Curcumin is the bioactive compound in turmeric that gives the herb its healing properties. It’s one of the safest anti-inflammatories you can take, and is an effective natural pain reliever too — even for severe pain. In fact, curcumin matches or outperforms ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and other over-the-counter painkillers without any side effects.

Curcumin is not easily absorbed by the digestive tract, so choose high-potency curcuminoids.  Black pepper extract (piperine), though not Bulletproof, has also been shown to increase curcumin’s bioavailability by 2000%. Combine curcumin with other anti-inflammatory compounds for an even stronger effect. Some of the best-researched ones are Copaiba (Copaifera Officinalis), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and Frankincense (Boswellia).  Turmeric root contains just 2% to 5% curcumin, so when reaching for a supplement, be sure you’re buying curcumin, not just powdered turmeric root. This one combines all of the above for pain relief powerhouse!

Epsom Salt

Epsom Salt bath provides your body with relief from many types of muscle pain and spasms, as well as many types of arthritis. Water or salt bath therapy can include a deep bathtub, whirlpool tub, or warm pool for water therapy.

Fish Oil for Natural Pain Relief

Fish Oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and inflammation plays a large role in pain, says Michael Cronin, ND, a naturopathic physician in Scottsdale, Az., and immediate past president of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

In one study, researchers instructed patients with neck or back pain to take 1200 milligrams a day of fish oil supplements with eicosapentaenoic and decosahexanoic acid. After 75 days on fish oil, more than half of the 125 patients who reported back said they had stopped their prescription painkillers.  Due to potential for spoilage, we suggest the use of a fish oil, like OmegaGize, encapsulated with a natural preservative such as clove oil.
Pain in all forms can be often debilitating. Traditional methods of pain relief are coming under fire as more consumers examine the potential dangers. Remember treatment can be alternative or complementary, work with your health provider for the best path for your pain management.