Pain

See also :

• Chronic Pain Syndrome (CPS)
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Home remedies

• Devil's claw (harpagophytum procumbens) an aromatic plant from Namibia is superior to traditional painkillers in several respects. It's as effective as COX-2 inhibitors... without the deadly side effects!
• willow bark is actually the herbal form of aspirin. It too contains salicin, mimicking the effects of aspirin.
• Aspen Bark : Also known as "Nature's Aspirin", is a bark that is harvested from the Aspen Tree.
• Belladonna : Before the Middle Ages, Belladonna was taken as an anesthetic for surgery.
• Ignatia has been used by Chinese doctors for centuries to help calm the nerves and relieve pain due to emotional upset.
• Meditation : meditation is a recommended pain management technique especially when pain is accompanied by anxiety or fear. Take time to sit in a comfortable place and focus your mind on a pleasant image like a scenic location or your favorite flower, or simply on your breathing. It will be hard to train your mind to focus on one object especially when you are experiencing chronic pain. If your thoughts wander and you start to think about other things, you can simply draw your mind back to your point of focus. This may be hard to accomplish especially if you are experiencing chronic pain.
• Heat and Cold Therapy : Putting a cold compress on the affected areas will help relieve localized pain by numbing the source. This is effective for muscle and joint pains and can also be used to relieve pain caused by burns and minor wounds. Your physician may also advice heat and cold therapy. This is often recommended for people suffering from intense and chronic pain. You can do this by switching the shower from hot to cold. Heat and cold therapy improves the circulation of blood in the body and helps relieve different types of pain.
• Massage : Massage therapy helps in relaxing the muscles and in reducing muscular spasm. The American Pain Foundation stated that pain often results to muscle tension. This can be resolved by massage therapy in addition to the other methods of naturally relieving pain. Getting a massage from a licensed therapist also helps promote a feeling of well-being, improve circulation and relieve muscular tension.
• Acupuncture : Acupuncture is a traditional healing method that originated in China. The treatment involves the insertion and manipulation of thin needles into the skin. Practitioners of acupuncture claim that the method can effectively treat certain health conditions and relieve pain. Although there hasn't been any significant scientific evidence proving the efficacy of acupuncture, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine said that the method has shown to be an effective means of providing relief for musculoskeletal pain. When resorting to alternative healing methods, it is important to check the credibility of the practitioner before booking a session. You can ask the NCCAA for a list of registered acupuncturists in your area.
• Music : Music affects the mind and soul. According to the APF, listening to music is useful in managing pain. A study involving 200 patients suffering from chronic pain found that music therapy can significantly reduce their levels of pain. You can listen to any of your favorite music during the onset of pain and move your body to the rhythm. Music helps in taking your mind away from the pain and brings your attention to something pleasant.
• Omega-3 : Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids help in reducing pain and inflammation associated with health conditions like osteoarthritis, chronic ailments and other chronic diseases. The reason behind omega-3's efficacy in relieving pain lies in its ability to influence the body's production of inflammatory enzymes and the pain associated with inflammation. Increase your body's level of omega-3 fatty acids by eating cold water fishes like tuna, mackerel and salmon. Taking food supplements that contain high levels of omega-3 can also help in reducing and relieving chronic pain.
• Capsaicin from chili peppers can serve as a natural analgesic by blocking the vanilloid receptor that is responsible for producing localized pain. It is available in cream form which can be applied topically on the affected areas.
• Curcumin extract may be the remedy of choice for pain. It proved superior to arthritis drugs without adverse effects, decreased joint pain in osteoarthritis subjects, and reduced markers of inflammation.
• Drinking ginger ale can help reduce pain by blocking the vallinoid receptor through its active ingredient gingerols. Unlike capsaicin that produces a small amount of pain, gingerols result to pain relief without the unpleasant burning sensation. The compound also helps in reducing inflammation by reducing the build-up of platelets. Feverfew has also been found to be effective in relieving pain caused by headache, migraine and arthritis.
• Cayenne peppers give off heat that seems to have a warming effect to almost all parts of the human body. It also promotes better blood circulation, allowing nutrient-rich blood to go to the joints that are inflamed and promoting better healing. The heat also helps relieve pain in arthritis and can even help with low back pain.
• Boswellia exhibits significant anti-inflammatory properties and treats pain without side-effects
• the bark of the Tabernaemontana divaricata plant, also known as crepe jasmine, contains a compound known as conolidine that appears to be just as effective at treating pain as morphine, but without all the harmful side effects.
• Auriculotherapy, also called auricular therapy (applying pressure on various points on your outer ear) is helpfull to fight stress, pain, allergies, High Blood Pressure, insomnia, excess weight, diabetes, Drug Abuse,...
• Arnica is used for Bruises, Sprains, Pain and Swelling, Arthritis, Infection, Inflammation, Varicose Veins, Phlebitis (Vein Inflammation), Insect Bites
• mint oil, when applied topically, can reduce the pain caused by a variety of health issues such as arthritis or nerve damage.
• Curcumin has been used as a pain-relieving aid for generations throughout India.
• Glucosamine is an effective pain reliever.
• Rhus-tox helps you get through the terrible pain and recover faster.
• bananas : if you have cramps, then this is the fruit for you. Cramping is usually the result of an imbalance in the body's potassium supply. Because bananas are potassium-rich, including as little as one banana in your diet a day can help to replenish your daily needs and reduce cramping.
• Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant that has recently been discovered to reduce pain.
• lettuce contains salicylic acid, a compound found in aspirin.
• drinking a cup of black birch tea(Betula lenta): the methyl salicylate compounds found inside this oil are effectively absorbed and used by the body to naturally treat pain.
• proteolytic enzymes are the final line of defense against disease, illnesses, pain and everything else that happens inside your body.
• Bromelain gives a significant reduction in pain and swelling.
• Turmeric is more safe and precise than asprin in stopping inflammation by shutting down the COX2 enzyme responsible for pain.
• Boswellia has been used for centuries by traditional Indian healers to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Cannabis : Aside from its psychoactive effects, the active ingredient in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is a powerful analgesic with proven pain-relieving properties.
• Licorice acts similar to cortisone – without the side effects. Cortisone has been known to reduce inflammatory processes by decreasing swelling and pain.
• Wintergreen contains methyl-salicylate which helps relieve pain. However, methyl-salicylate is toxic to the skin, especially when it is applied topically by salicylate-sensitive individuals. Be cautious when using topical preparations of the herb, such as its oil form. You may also use its dried form herb.
• Kratom appears safer and more effective than pharmaceutical drugs at treating chronic pain.
• Boswellia gives a significant reduction in pain and swelling and increases joint mobility and flexibility.
• Rutin reduces pain, increases circulation and dozens of other health benefits which ramp up your energy!
• Cherries contain anthocyanins working like a natural form of ibuprofen, reducing inflammation and curbing pain.
• Kava kava. Pacific Islanders have long utilized kava kava, also known as "intoxicating pepper," to unwind and relax after a long day. But this natural botanical is also highly effective at reducing anxiety, easing nerves, relaxing muscles, and subdue pain. Because of its synergistic ability to promote restfulness both mentally and physically, kava kava can be extremely helpful in overcoming chronic pain, especially when such pain has a psychological component.
• Skullcap. An herb native to North America, skullcap has been used for more than 200 years to treat anxiety, nervous tension, convulsions, and pain. And Chinese skullcap, a similar but slightly different herb, has been shown to help treat allergies, infections, inflammation, headaches, and even cancer. Between the two herbs, chronic pain sufferers have a powerful weapon for naturally calming their nerves and relieving pain.
• Valerian. Often blended with skullcap, Valerian is another natural herb with an extensive history of use in relieving pain. Often used as a sleeping aid due to its ability to promote relaxation, Valerian is also useful for easing anxiety and psychological stress, which are often responsible for causing or exacerbating chronic pain. Valerian can also help treat depression, muscle and joint pain, headaches, and menstrual pain.
• Magnesium comes up a lot as a recommendation in natural treatment protocols, and this is no accident. A powerful treatment for both muscle and nerve pain, magnesium has been shown to balance levels of a brain chemical known as NMDA that is responsible for transmitting pain throughout the nervous system. Magnesium deficiency is also a common cause and amplifier of pain, so simply supplementing with it can help significantly improve pain symptoms.
• Phosphorus helps reduce the agonizing burning sensation you feel in your muscles by regulating the nerves which are sending the "pain" message to your brain.
• SAM-e. A popular dietary supplement for treating osteoarthritis and depression, SAM-e, or S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine, is a compound naturally found in every human cell in the body. Recognized for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits, SAM-e can help ease pain, relieve stiffness, reduce joint swelling, and even rebuild cartilage. SAM-e is also known to help treat fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendinitis, and lower back pain.
• Vitamin D deficiency is linked to a host of chronic illnesses, including chronic pain. A 2009 study found that patients deficient in vitamin D require almost twice as much pain medication as patients with adequate levels, illustrating an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and pain. Supplementing with vitamin D and regularly exposing your skin to natural sunlight just might be the remedy you need for overcoming chronic pain.
• Ginger contains the chemical gingerol. Gingerol has been found to reduce inflammation and block pain pathways.3 This is good news for people with arthritis.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.