Banish Pain at its Roots Using Natural Medicine
Banish Pain at its Roots Using Natural Medicine
Whilst the burden of pain can feel isolating, it is a road travelled by many. In fact, 3.24 million Australians suffered from persistent pain in 2018,[1] making it a commonly shared experience. For some, it’s a headache that feels like a thousand ice picks; for others, it’s shooting, surging and pulsing lower back pain. Even a monthly visit from ‘Aunt Flo’ can be accompanied by her menacing sidekick, Lady Cramp.
Whatever the cause, all pain has a common feature; it can prevent you from doing the things you love. Pain can hinder day-to-day activities, reduce socialisation, impact the quality of your relationships, and even cause emotional distress. Its reach is widespread, therefore finding a safe and effective solution is key to ensuring you keep living your best life.
In fact, 3.24 million Australians suffered from persistent pain in 2018,[1] making it a commonly shared experience.
Pain: friend or foe?
Pain is your body’s way of telling you ‘something’s up’. More specifically, pain is a major symptom of the inflammatory response, a normally short-lived process with one sole function: to protect our bodies from infection and injury. The redness, heat, swelling, pain and loss of function experienced during acute inflammation is your body’s way of telling you to take it easy while it recovers.
The inflammatory process consists of two phases –onset and resolution. During the onset phase, your body detects injury and responds by sending a clean-up crew of immune cells to clear the injured tissue, prevent the onset of infection, and guard against further damage. Once the clean-up crew has contained the damage from the injury, your cells shift into anti-inflammatory mode to promote resolution and a return to normal function.[2]
Pain, pain go away…
Most people address pain with pain killers, including analgesics, opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). Analgesics and opioid medications may provide some much-needed symptomatic relief, however these agents mask the pain rather than resolving it; they act upon the sensation of pain rather than the inflammation that creates it. More often than not, once these medications wear off, the pain returns with the same ferocity as before. Whilst NSAIDs can reduce inflammation, long-term use is associated with unwanted side effects, the most prominent being gut pain and discomfort.
Fortunately, there is a safe and effective way to help speed up the process of healing, and reduce pain along the way. This involves using natural anti-inflammatory medicines to target the driving force behind pain; inflammation.
Fortunately, there is a safe and effective way to help speed up the process of healing, and reduce pain along the way. This involves using natural anti-inflammatory medicines to target the driving force behind pain; inflammation. Not only are these medicines efficient at reducing inflammation and pain at its roots, they can help reduce dependence on pain killers, preventing overuse. In addition, using natural alternatives decreases the potential for harmful side effects that come with some medications.
Here are my top three herbs and nutrients to help you overcome pain and inflammation:
Turmeric acts upon a number of the body’s cells which are involved in inflammation, reducing their activity to decrease pain and prevent further damage.
Magnesium encourages smooth muscle relaxation to prevent muscle tension and pain, and is a natural anti-inflammatory that can speed up recovery.[3]
Fish Oil is a potent anti-inflammatory agent; its active components are heavily involved in countering the effects of inflammatory substances within the body, helping promote healing.
Be pain-free ASAP
Whilst it’s important to listen to your body’s signals and take time out when needed for healing, you can accelerate the healing process and utilise natural anti-inflammatory medicines to help you be pain-free ASAP. For those of you wishing to fast track your recovery, consulting with a Natural Healthcare Practitioner can help. In addition to building a natural medicine regimen, Practitioners are equipped to identify and remove any triggers that may worsen your pain. A holistic approach, bolstered by use of natural medicines, provides a safe and effective solution to pain and inflammation, enabling you to start living a happier and pain-free life.
[1] Pain Australia. Cost of pain report [Internet]. Deakin ACT: Pain Australia; 2019 Apr 4; [cited 2019 Apr 29].
[2] Ortega-Gomez A, Perretti M, Soehnlein O. Resolution of inflammation: an integrated view. EMBO Mol Med 2013;5:661–674. doi: 10.1002/emmm.201202382.
[3] Weglicki WB. Hypomagnesemia and inflammation: clinical and basic aspects. Annu Rev Nutr. 2012 Aug 21;32:55-71. doi: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-071811-150656.
- Kevin Tresize
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