Natural Ways to Relieve Pain

Pain, whether it’s acute or chronic, demands immediate attention. While you can quickly relieve pain with over-the-counter medications, long-term use can have adverse effects.

Prescription medications can be addictive when taken irresponsibly. CDC estimated that 107,622 deaths in the US were due to drug overdose. For this reason, many advocate trying natural pain relief methods first.

How to Relieve Pain the Natural Way

Need to recover from wisdom tooth surgery or lessen chronic back pains? Here are some natural methods you can try:

Try Herbal Supplements

The practice of using herbal medicine is deeply rooted in indigenous practice. People used herbal supplements to manage because they had little to no side effects.

While the practice falls under complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), it has proven efficacy against numerous musculoskeletal pains. This discovery led to the development of herbal supplements. Some of these supplements include cloves, Boswellia, and turmeric.

• Cloves

It’s common to see cloves on the kitchen counter as they’re commonly used to spice up various dishes. But cloves are also a natural pain reliever, thanks to their eugenol content. This herbal oil is commonly used in over-the-counter pain rubs.

Topically, people can use it to treat toothaches, headaches, and arthritic pain. Users can take it orally to reduce gastrointestinal pain, such as indigestion and diarrhea.

• Boswellia

Boswellia or frankincense is a herb often developed as a herbal pill, tincture, topical medication, or essential oil. It’s an effective pain killer that can inhibit cartilage loss. Most use this herb to treat arthritic pain and colon inflammation.

A study found that Boswellia is a safe and effective treatment for arthritic patients experiencing pain and stiffness. While this herb is generally safe to use, it can trigger allergic reactions. In some cases, it can also interact with blood-thinning medications.

• Turmeric

Like cloves, turmeric has its place in spicing dishes and pain relief. Studies found the herb to be effective in reducing swelling and inflammation. Its combination with piperine increases its absorption, making it an effective natural remedy for osteoarthritic pain and inflammation.

Turmeric can also be used as a potentiator or an enhancer to strengthen the effects of other supplements. Using a potentiator allows consumers to take their supplements in low doses, preventing tolerance.

• Kratom

More commonly referred to as a herbal substance, Kratom is a tropical tree that contains mitragynine, a chemical compound that has similar effects as morphine and opioid.

Kratom is a natural pain reliever and energy booster. Taken in low doses, Kratom is known to provide relaxation, improve mood and alleviate pain.

Use Essential Oils

Another natural way of relieving pain is the use of essential oils. It consists of natural compounds extracted from stems, roots, petals, and the bark of plants through steam distillation. Many types of essential oils produce scents that can give various benefits, either by blending different flavors or using them individually.

Essential oils yield positive results in improving emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Studies suggest that essential oils can manage the symptoms of ailments like headaches, sleep disorders, respiratory problems, inflammation, and depression.

The use of the oils is generally safe, but it still requires more research when it comes to pain management. Talk to your doctor about your options before trying out alternative medications.

• Lavender

A lavender essential oil can help treat pain naturally, reduce anxiety, and help a person sleep properly. A study shows that inhaling lavender oil may help relieve migraine headaches, making it an excellent natural pain reliever.

• Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus oil is a popular solution to help relieve pain, inflammation, and swelling in the body. Although it is a natural way of relieving pain, experts recommend not using it around children and pets because it can trigger asthma attacks. It would be best to dilute it before applying it to the affected area.

Practice Yoga

Yoga is an ancient practice that involves doing different poses, mindful breathing, and concentration. This mind-body therapy is also a form of natural pain relief. A meta-analysis of controlled trials suggests that yoga can significantly lessen neck pain and improve range of motion.

Yoga helps increase body awareness, which enhances alignment and balance that can reduce pain sensation.

Try Acupuncture

Like yoga, acupuncture aims to bring balance. The practice, which involves inserting thin needles into the skin depending, stimulating the release of serotonin.

Serotonin plays a significant role in modulating pain receptors. Called the “feel-good” chemical, the release of serotonin helps reduce stress and pain.

Some of the conditions that can benefit from acupuncture include:

• Migraine
• Fibromyalgia
• Neck pain
• Low back pain
• Osteoarthritis

Unfortunately, this option also comes with potential side effects. Although the risks are low if you are working with a competent and certified acupuncture practitioner, you need to know that not everyone can be a good candidate for the process.

Before undergoing acupuncture treatment, you should tell the practitioner if you are pregnant, have a pacemaker, or have a bleeding disorder.

Going Natural for Pain Relief

While natural pain relief is ideal, the options above may only be effective for certain conditions. They may not be the solution for everybody.

When pain becomes unbearable or affects your normal daily activities, it might be best to consult your doctor. Sometimes pain is a symptom of an underlying disease. Consulting a specialist will help identify whether pain warrants a deeper investigation.