Natural pain relief offers an effective alternative to over-the-counter medications with potentially adverse side effects. From herbal remedies such as ginger and turmeric, therapeutic massage, mindfulness meditation and essential oils – these methods can provide long-term pain relief while soothing sore muscles.
Try alternating hot and cold packs for soothing relief, sipping on chamomile tea to reduce inflammation or taking an Epsom salt bath to ease tense muscles – these natural home remedies can provide effective pain relief from chronic or acute conditions.
Essential oils
Essential oils are liquid extracts of potentially beneficial plants that can be used for aromatherapy, personal care and medicinal applications. Some have strong anti-inflammatory properties to alleviate pain caused by inflammation.
Some popular pain relief oils include peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary. These essential oils can be combined with carrier oils like coconut or jojoba and applied directly onto the skin as topical treatments for pain relief.
Turmeric is another natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory that has long been used in cooking, and contains curcumin, one of the strongest natural anti-inflammatories found in nature. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy at relieving pain from chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia.
Turmeric
Curcumin, an antioxidant compound present in turmeric, can have anti-inflammatory properties which may help relieve pain associated with arthritis and is also an antimicrobial, helping protect cells against damage.
The Arthritis Foundation advises adding turmeric or curcumin supplements to your diet or taking an oral dose for maximum benefits. More research needs to be conducted in this area before conclusive conclusions can be reached regarding turmeric and curcumin benefits.
Studies conducted on turmeric showed its effectiveness at alleviating knee osteoarthritis pain and improving function, and also reduced symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by decreasing joint inflammation, inhibiting immune cell production of proinflammatory substances and blocking immune cell production of antiinflammatory compounds. Turmeric is a common ingredient found in Indian dishes as well as having been used extensively in Ayurveda medicine; more recently its benefits for inflammation have begun being explored by Western medical studies; however its anti-inflammatory qualities should not replace other treatments for chronic pain such as anti blood-clotting medications due to potential interactions that occur between turmeric and blood-clotting medications; rather it should supplement other forms of medication altogether.
Boswellia
Boswellia, commonly referred to as Indian Frankincense or Olibanum, has long been used as part of religious and cultural ceremonies since antiquity. The resin contains boswellic acids which have been shown to effectively reduce inflammation in many conditions as well as provide pain relief.
Boswellic acid works to inhibit an enzyme called 5-Lipoxygenase that plays an essential role in the metabolism of arachidonic acid and production of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes – targeting this molecular pathway is something many common anti-inflammatory medications (like aspirin, ibuprofen and indomethacin) do as well.
Boswellia has been shown to help relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain and increase physical function, as well as reduce oral aphthous ulcers, bronchial asthma, reduce leukotriene levels in oral tissue, prevent cancer cells from spreading and may inhibit angiogenesis – the process by which tumors form; it may even treat gastrointestinal issues such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (2)
Therapeutic touch and reiki healing
Therapeutic touch is an energy healing practice designed to promote overall well-being by unbalancing energy fields around our bodies (known as auras or auras) and clearing any blockages found within chakras – energy centers located throughout the body. First developed in the 1970s by Dolores Krieger RN and Dora Kunz, Therapeutic touch uses hands on therapy from its practitioner in order to balance and smooth these fields (or auras), in turn eliminating blockages at chakras located throughout.
Reiki, an ancient Japanese energy healing technique, works on the principle of transferring life force between individuals. A practitioner places their hands lightly over your body during a session while moving them in circular movements with their palms sweeping away any tension that has built up from physical stressors such as illness.
Studies indicate that Reiki therapy may help relieve pain, ease tense muscles and speed wound healing. Furthermore, reiki may improve sleep in those suffering from fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions; however it should not replace medical or therapeutic treatments altogether. For best results it’s wise to find a reputable reiki therapist affiliated with an established organization.
