Common presentations in clinic are painful conditions, both acute (like period pains or headaches) and chronic (like osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia).

Many medications give fast relief for pain and can make a huge impact on quality of life. Unfortunately, most drugs have a negative effect on our bodies, and the more often we take them, the higher the risk. Some examples are:

  1. Paracetamol (in Panadol and panadeine products) can impact our liver.
  2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (like Voltaren & Ibuprofen) can impact our gut lining.
  3. Aspirin or cortisone-based meds (like Prednisone) can impact our kidneys.

This blog will present some alternative options to over the counter or prescription medications.

What are some natural alternatives?

There has been much research over the past few years and now there are several options that can be highly effective for both acute and chronic pain with either few or no adverse side effects. I’d suggest seeking advice from a healthcare professional familiar with these products as most are only available as ‘practitioner only’ products and must be dispensed after a consultation to ensure the dose is adjusted for you and that there are no contraindications with your current medications.

Supplements & Herbs

  1. Cyactiv® that contains Phycocyanin that works as a selective inhibitor of COX-2 and a Spirulina derivative that works as an inhibitor of 5-LOX, two key enzymes involved in inflammation. This unique product manages systemic inflammation and is the result of 7 years of research and development and includes 4 human clinical trials and numerous in-vitro studies.

  2. Cyactiv Joint® contains the Cyactiv (see above) plus glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, collagen type I, sulphur rich compounds, Boswellia and Cherry tart extract with powerful anti-inflammatory and joint support.

  3. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) provides anti-neuroinflammatory (painkilling), and neuroprotective (brain protective) actions by enhancing our ‘endogenous cannabinoid system’ (ECS) activity. This is pain relief system that’s impacted by opioids, physical activity (‘runner’s high), and cannabis oil. We naturally produce PEA in our bodies, but levels decline during chronic disease, tissue damage, inflammation, pain syndromes and ageing. In studies on patients with osteoarthritis (OA), PEA led to a clinically significant reduction in pain and stiffness compared to placebo. In my experience I have found PEA to be helpful with endometriosis pain, chronic painful bladder conditions (e.g., in chronic urinary tract infections) and osteoarthritis, but I have found some brands to be more effective than others.

  4. Curcumin: This is one of the active compounds in the herb turmeric. It has broad anti-inflammatory effects, decreasing many inflammatory messengers as well as having other beneficial properties including antioxidant, liver protective and mood enhancing effects.
  5. SPMs (Specialised pro-resolving mediators): When we have an injury (e.g., break a leg), inflammation is a good thing. We have pain, redness and swelling that makes sure we rest and recover. However, in some chronic conditions, the inflammation does not resolve as our body’s get ‘stuck’ in pain/inflammation mode. SPMs are unique in that they help resolve systemic inflammation and reduce tissue damage which is associated with progressive joint disease and immune dysregulation. I find SPMs to be particularly helpful in fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis (OA), and inflammatory arthritis like Rheumatoid and Psoriatic arthritis.
  6. Anti-inflammatory herbs: Boswellia is a herb that inhibits the cartilage-degrading enzyme, while also helping tissue repair. Ginger: has been shown to reduce inflammation
  7. Quercetin: is a compound, that suppresses the production of inflammatory chemicals as well as stabilizing the cells that release histamine in the body and thereby has an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effect. It’s available in supplements in a concentrated form and found in fruit and vegetables like citrus fruits, apples, onions, parsley, sage, tea, red wine, olive oil, grapes, dark cherries, and dark berries such as blueberries, blackberries, and bilberries
  8. Magnesium  can help with pain signalling and sensitisation, cramps and sleep.
  9. Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs found in fish oils)  reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals including those that degrade soft tissue and cartilage and perpetuates inflammation in OA.

Note that there are quality practitioner-only combinations with magnesium & PEA; Boswellia, Turmeric and ginger; PEA and turmeric. Your practitioner can guide your choice of the most appropriate supplements for your health concerns that might save you time, money and frustration.

Supportive Health measures:

  1. Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the stress on the joints. I offer several weight loss options based on your lifestyle, health goals and motivation
  2. Healthy Eating: A Mediterranean diet rich in veggies, lean protein, nuts, seeds, olive oil, some fruit, and whole grains
  3. Regular physical activity: Our bodies were designed to move and being sedentary is very inflammatory. Parking further away from the shops, getting off a bus stop earlier, instead of using the lift walk up the stairs, or doing a few squats or lunges every hour for a minute or two next to your desk, walking at lunchtime if you’re not into formal exercise classes.
  4. Physical Therapies
    • Massage; self-massage, TENS machines (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), and stretching
    • Bowen Therapy is able to help improve the quality of life of those suffering without detrimental side effects, but can’t reverse arthritis See: https://www.our-arthritis.com/arthritis-blog/arthritis-treatments/alternative-medicine/355-bowen-therapy-for-arthritis-1  I have been a Bowen therapist for over 32 years and find it particularly helpful for knee
    • Bracing and splinting can help support painful or unstable joints.
    • Special footwear and insoles may be recommended by a podiatrist
    • Application of local heat and cold may help
    • Acupuncture has been shown to assist with management of symptoms of OA.
    • Using a walking device or cane may be appropriate for some people

Look at the emotional connection behind your pain experience.

  1. This entertaining informative Ted Talk by an eminent neuropsychologist (see: https://youtu.be/gwd-wLdIHjs?si=4peg7rH7syJK9kPC  explains how pain is a construct of our brains. That is NOT to say that the pain is not real, but the way we experience pain relates to many factors including our lived experience, culture, motivation and situation.
  2. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may also be supportive to address mental or emotional distress caused by pain.
  3. Listen to your body: Sometimes physical pain is a way our body ‘talks’ to us when there is physical or emotional trauma that has not been addressed. Many books are written on this topic – The Mind Body Prescription by Dr John Sarno https://archive.org/details/mindbodyprescrip0000sarn describes over 10,000 clients who’s pain responded when they dealt with emotional trauma from their past (like sexual or domestic abuse, childhood bullying etc.) that they had repressed. Lisa Borbeau’s lovely book “Your Body is Telling You to Love Yourself” describes many health afflictions and the potential emotional basis behind them. This is not to discount that the pain is not real (it definitely is), but it’s a means for your body to be ‘heard’.
  4. George’ Dallas’ book “Breaking Beta” explains how you can understand, embrace and positively manage your pain experience with practical exercises https://www.amazon.com.au/Breaking-Beta-suffering-physical-emotional/dp/1763502201

Like more information?

This podcast describes more background behind natural options https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFEYFZfOKEyxU48TeAGD-Kg0mNIyUEoTG

Want to have a complimentary chat?

Doreen Schwegler is a qualified Naturopath and Medical Scientist with over 32 years of experience helping people optimise their health and happiness. Book a complimentary 15 minute chat to discuss your needs and how I can help you.

https://holistic-health-pty-ltd.au1.cliniko.com/bookings

E: doreen@holistichealth.com.au
W: www.holistichealth.com.au

Comments on this blog would be appreciated 🙂