Natural supplements for chronic pain relief can work very well alongside conventional medicine. Patients are increasingly looking for natural analgesic remedies as tolerance for the side effects of prescribed medication lessens. There is an enormous amount of herbal, homeopathic and other natural pain supplements available, though not all can be taken alongside prescribed medication, so seeking advice from a medical practitioner is essential.
Natural supplements may be available as a single dose or taken as a combination dose when used in the long-term treatment of chronic pain. Effective supplements may even reduce the need for some medication.
Inflammatory related chronic pain may be alleviated by the use of bromelain, a plant based protein derived from pineapple. This should be taken on an empty stomach.
Chamomile, devils claw, Echinacea and calendula are all herbal supplements known for anti-inflammatory reducing properties. Turmeric, often used as a curry spice, has been a huge success in pain treatment, resulting in some patients dispensing with NSAIDs altogether.
Fish Oils are Natural supplements for Chronic Pain Relief
Fish oils and green-lipped mussel extracts have also been used very successfully, providing beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, and can be combined well with other supplements.
Low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to increased levels of chronic pain suffering. A medical practitioner can check levels of this vitamin in patients and if below 50 to 70 nanograms/milliliter, a supplement may be recommended.
Glucosamine sulfate, present in animal bones, bone marrow and the shells of shellfish, has been highly efficient in reducing joint pain. It can be combined with chondroitin, found in cartilage, and MSM, an organosulfor compound found in some plants and food. These can also be used separately.
Other Natural supplements for Chronic Pain Relief
Other natural pain relievers include butterbur, meadowsweet, California poppy and wild yam, all of plant origin. White willow bark contains a similar chemical composition to aspirin so the two should never be taken together – it can, however, be effective when taken with other remedies.
Supplementing the diet with magnesium may help with pain caused by muscle spasms and migraines. This can also be derived from sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. The nutrient, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, can help with nerve pain.
Homeopathic medicine has been around for over 2,000 years. A wide variety of homeopathic remedies can treat pain created by different conditions. Some medical practitioners are also qualified as homeopathic practitioners and can advise which remedies are suitable.
Rhus Toxicodendron (poison ivy) can treat lower back pain, while Gnaphalium (from the Asteraceae plant family) is used for pain caused by sciatica. Though naturally derived, it can be dangerous to use many of the homeopathic medicines without supervision.
When dealing with chronic pain, it is essential to keep an open mind about using natural supplements for chronic pain relief. A combination of conventional medicine and natural supplements may diminish or even eradicate chronic pain suffering.
Pain management program can be set up after the initial visit to the pain management clinic. After the appropriate tests and examinations have been made to ascertain the cause of chronic pain, the next step is to create an individualized pain management program.