A Natural Approach to Alleviating Pain

Drugs reduce pain by poisoning enzymes or blocking pain receptors in the body, but they do nothing to address its cause(s). In fact, drugs usually make the underlying situation worse and create additional undesirable outcomes called “side effects.” A holistic approach uses natural pain suppressants with only beneficial effects on the body while it mobilizes and supports the body to heal itself of underlying causes.

Structural issues should be treated with physical therapy and other types of bodywork. But tissue injury and inflammation causing pain are best addressed with healthy lifestyle, excellent overall nutrition, and specific nutrients that stimulate the body’s own repair mechanisms, reduce inflammation and build tissue integrity.

Numerous studies show that vitamin C and the bioflavonoid quercetin do all three, creating a powerful intervention when used together. For maximum benefit, use our uniquely pure and potent vitamin C and our quercetin fortified with additional tissue-repairing nutrients. (Beyond Health Vitamin C powder or Vitamin C tablets; Cell Repair Quercetin or Cell Repair Formula.)

For arthritis or joint injury, Beyond Health’s Joint Repair Formula offers a synergistic formula, including glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and MSM, for building strong, healthy joint tissue.

Since pain is caused by inflammation, see Raymond’s article on reducing inflammation. Garlic, curcumin, green and white tea, berberine, fish oil and the blend of synergistic antioxidants in Beyond Health’s Age Defense Formula are all helpful in this regard.

In one study, 93% of people with chronic pain not caused by fibromyalgia tested were deficient in vitamin D. Those younger than age 30 and older than age 60 were 100% deficient. Test your vitamin D levels and get them into the “high-normal” range.  Vitamin D helps bone, cartilage and muscles stay strong.

Various studies have found that Vitamin B3 (niacin), Vitamin B12, and Vitamin E are also helpful in dealing with pain.

Maintaining systemic alkalinity helps reduce pain. Read about maintaining alkalinity and testing your pH with litmus paper.

Saunas help reduce pain and joint stiffness.

Finally, consider coconut oil. In his book, Coconut Cures, Bruce Fife, ND, recommends heating antioxidant-rich virgin coconut oil as much as comfort will allow and massaging it into painful areas of the body several times a day. He also suggests drinking 8 or more ounces of coconut water and consuming 3½ tablespoons of coconut oil daily. Fife cites some very encouraging anecdotal reports, among them these two:

“My husband[‘s] joints are pain free for the first time in over 12 years. He takes about 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil in his coffee every morning.”

“I have had very painful fibromyalgia for the past 15 years so I have been using the virgin coconut oil now for two months and have no pain at all, no pain!!!!”

See Dr. Fife’s useful book for more information on using coconut to help address pain and many other conditions. And be sure to use Beyond Health’s Coconut Oil, made to preserve its natural antioxidant properties for maximum benefit.

References:

1. Plotnikoff G. Prevalence of severe hipovitaminosis D in patients with persistent, nonspecific musculoskeletal pain. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. December 2003;78(12):1463-1470.
2. Fife B. Coconut Cures. Colorado Springs, CO:Piccadilly Books Ltd, 2005, pp. 81, 82 and 210.