Long Term Relief From Chronic Pain Comes Naturally
The statistics on people who suffer with chronic pain are staggering (see below). With nearly one in four Americans experiencing chronic pain, and far too many ending up becoming addicted to dangerous opioids, there are numerous holistic options that don't just mask the pain the way most pharmaceuticals do. Rather, several natural remedies actually work by getting to the underlying cause or causes of the pain deep within, providing not only temporary relief, but allowing the body to repair and restore, creating long-term healing and freedom from pain altogether.
These natural herbal remedies are non-addictive and have no known side effects, and many have been safely used for hundreds and even thousands of years. There are both topical and oral options that can be extremely effective.
These natural herbal remedies are non-addictive and have no known side effects, and many have been safely used for hundreds and even thousands of years. There are both topical and oral options that can be extremely effective.
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| Take my client, Frankie, for example. Frankie drove for a living and played music three or four nights a week. He was in a car crash, hit by a distracted driver, and had serious back and neck pain for almost a year, causing him to go on disability. He had been to the doctor's office more than a dozen times over that year with unbearable pain, and had tried many pain meds, but had only a modest reduction in the pain. It was interrupting his sleep, he couldn't play his music, his relationships with family and friends were suffering, and when he visited me he stated he had little quality of life left. I spoke to him about how some of the foods he was consuming and his high stress levels were probably preventing him from getting better, and suggested specific herbs and a wide variety of healing foods. I got a call from Frankie just four days later, telling me that with these small changes he'd already been able to make, he had experienced complete relief from his chronic pain for the first time in a year, and that he had spoken to his doctor about getting off the pain meds. Just seven days after our first meeting, he let me know he was off all the medications, had not had any pain at all during the process, and was going back to work the following week! Best of all, the night before he had been able to play his first gig in a year, and he was thrilled to report no pain during or after that either! |
A Few National Statistics on Chronic Pain:
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- When asked, 4 out of 10 people who experience chronic pain say it has an impact on their overall enjoyment of life, including interfering their mood, sleep or ability to work.
- Pain is cited as the most common reason Americans access the health care system. It is a leading cause of disability and it is a major contributor to health care costs.
- According to the National Sleep Foundation, one in three Americans with chronic pain report not getting enough sleep to feel their best.
So, What Are My 5 Recommendations?
Arnica is a powerful herbal remedy for muscle aches and pain that comes in cream, oil, salve and gel form. I find the gel the best, most workable option since it's non-greasy, doesn't stain clothing and goes to work relieving pain right away. Arnica also comes in homeopathic tiny tablets that you place under your tongue. Depending on the quality of the product, Arnica tablets can provide serious temporary pain relief, allowing the body to go to work on repairing itself.
Turmeric is considered, according to the latest research, the most effective herbal remedy for supporting the body in reducing excess inflammation. Excess inflammation is always present in chronic pain. While many people think that Turmeric is the same as curcumin, this is simply not true. Curcumin is only one of the constituents found in the Turmeric root, comprising only about 5% of it. Research has shown that Turmeric root is more effective at supporting inflammation relief than just curcumin, so you want to look for a good organic Turmeric root product.
Ginger also provides relief from excess inflammation, and is helpful for head and stomach pain, too. Organic ginger seems to provide the greatest relief, and may be used safely for chronic digestive complaints, raw, painful, scratchy throat, aches, pains, and so much more.
Holy Basil, sometimes referred to as Sacred basil or Tulsi, is an Ayurvedic herb that relaxes and supports all organs and systems. Holy basil has been used for thousands of years in India for a wide variety of complaints. It provides relief from the excess inflammation associated with chronic pain, offers a serious sense of calm, and eases tension that can worsen the perception of chronic pain's effect on life.
Magnesium can be taken orally to relax the muscles from stress or after an injury, and it helps ease an agitated mind. The form it's in makes a big difference as to whether or not our cells can receive the magnesium to provide relief. Magnesium in the form of food provides the greatest utilization, yet there are not a broad variety of foods that are high in magnesium in the American diet, even for those who believe they eat a healthy diet. Most vitamin and mineral supplements are very poorly utilized, so they're not a good option either. To increase magnesium in your diet, try eating organic hempseeds, sea vegetables like kelp, cooked kale, collards, watercress, spinach and other dark leafy greens. Magnesium in the form of epsom salts helps with physical pain and emotional discomfort as we soak in a hot (or warm) bath. We can also soak swollen hands, feet, or lower backs, for example, when needed for temporary relief.
According to one study, 23% of chronic pain patients found opioids effective for pain relief. Another 40% of chronic pain patients found massage therapy and/or chiropractic treatments worked 'very well' for pain relief. In my Herbal Wellness Consultations, I've had more than 80% of my clients reporting back to me that they've experienced long-term pain relief from the holistic health tools and practices I've provided them.
Did you find this article helpful? Would you like more detailed information about anything in particular? Is there anything you'd like to share? Let me know in the comments below.
Did you find this article helpful? Would you like more detailed information about anything in particular? Is there anything you'd like to share? Let me know in the comments below.
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