When it comes to body discomfort due to illness, chronic disease or other disturbances, pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter pain relievers clearly have a role to play in medicine. But thankfully, naturopathic physicians have a broader range of treatments available for patients. These treatments for pain relief have a reputation for supporting the body’s own natural healing properties without posing a danger due to side effects, as do other medications.
Many herbs, botanicals, supplements such as magnesium, fish oil and complementary treatments like acupuncture and massage, have solid track records for effectiveness in lowering pain and inflammation while supporting the healing process.
Take a long warm soak in an Epsom salt bath
Epsom salt, a magnesium rich product, is a natural anti-inflammatory remedy that can be used to treat muscle aches and is recommended for the relief of body aches and discomfort associated with fever. Magnesium is an important mineral that regulates over 300 enzymes in the body and plays a significant role in organizing many bodily functions. Since the magnesium found in Epsom salt can be absorbed by the skin while soaking, it is possible to the increase internal levels of magnesium naturally without taking an oral supplement. In addition to magnesium, Epsom salt also contains sulfate, which enhances the detoxification process. Together these ingredients work to ease pain and relieve the inflammation caused by a number of diseases. This makes it a beneficial natural treatment sore muscles, headaches and arthritis pain and other body aches.
The power pain relieving duo – Turmeric and Ginger
Many scientific studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of turmeric and ginger on pain. Although results vary, overall reports indicate that ginger and turmeric both contain active ingredients that can provide at least some relief to those suffering from a number of painful conditions.
Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric, a vivid orange spice that offers a range of anti-inflammatory properties. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of turmeric can also promote the body’s own ability to heal. Studies have found that turmeric may have pain-reducing power equal in some cases to that of prescription and over-the-counter medications. To boost effectiveness and absorption of turmeric it is essential to add a pinch of black pepper to the mix.
Ginger contains potent phytochemicals which help flight inflammation. One targeted study on ginger’s effect on pain involved 150 women with equally severe menstrual pain. This group compared the pain-relieving properties of ginger to ibuprofen and a prescription NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and found them to be equally effective. Another study found that ginger was just as effective as a common medication used to treat many types of migraine headaches.
Reseveratrol has been investigated for decades for its multiple beneficial effects on everything from aging to inflammation to insulin sensitivity. But more recently the pain-relieving effects of reseveratrol has been proven to be equal to that of morphine in some cases, making it a powerful medication – that also lasts a lot longer than conventional medications – so it takes less to do more. Other studies show that resveratrol lowers neuropathic pain by balancing the release of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Sources of resveratrol in food include the skin of grapes, blueberries, raspberries, mulberries, and peanuts. It is also available in supplement form.
Feverfew, a medicinal herb, has been used as a headache remedy for centuries and is considered helpful for reducing painful inflammation due to arthritis and for treating menstrual pain. Feverfew may also relieve colitis and soothe insect bites.
Devil’s Claw, a South African herb may help with arthritis and lower back pain. There are some restriction for use among pregnant women and those with gallstones or stomach or intestinal ulcers.
Some over-the-counter products available for reducing pain (InflaTera or Zyflamend) are mixes of herbs and botanicals including turmeric, ginger and holy basil. Your naturopathic physician is uniquely qualified to customize combinations of natural substances in the correct doses for individual situations.
Acupuncture and more
Acupuncture originated 3000 years ago in China and has a long history of being used for pain management. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through the skin at strategic points on the body. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain although today it is also used as a treatment to support overall wellness, including stress management.
K-Laser, also known as High Power Laser Therapy, targets damaged tissue with specific wavelengths of light that have been found to interact with tissue and accelerate the healing process. Many patients report pain relief in as little as one treatment, and most are able to resume normal daily activities with no pain and restricted movement after their therapy is completed. Treatments are administered by a technician, using a hand-held device the size of a flashlight. The laser is placed directly over the injured area for anywhere from 30 seconds to 9 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and the treatment plan. Most patients report a warm, relaxing sensation. They generally experience no side effects.
Prolotherapy is a pain treatment option that stimulates a directed, strong and effective immune response for faster recovery and pain relief. Traditional treatments including steroid injections and surgery are more risky and often less effective.
The US Pain Foundation suggests for pain management, ginseng (particularly helpful for fibromyalgia), kava kava (for tension headaches), St. John’s Wort (for arthritis and sciatica) and valerian root (for spasms and muscle cramps.) They also recommend Reiki, Bach Flowers, Aromatherapy and many more modalities that can be explored and tailored to meet individual needs.