Ease your pain naturally

Holistic ways to manage chronic pain, from migraines to joint aches and inflammation

Pain is a universal experience, but how we manage it can vary widely. While conventional painkillers provide quick relief, they can come with side effects, especially when used long-term. Natural alternatives offer a gentler, holistic approach to pain management, promoting healing and wellbeing. Here are some effective natural remedies and therapies to consider for chronic pain such as migraines, joint pain and inflammation.

Avoid triggers
“Headaches and chronic pain can be debilitating,” says Sarah Woodhall, manager of Horan’s Health Store in Limerick. “Certain foods, stress and poor quality sleep can trigger the onset of a migraine and increase chronic pain. Pain is a sign of inflammation.

The small changes that you make will create a huge impact in the body. One of the first and most important things to do is to keep hydrated throughout the day, especially during the winter months. Herbal teas are a great way to increase your fluid intake. To reduce headaches and pain I always suggest chamomile, lemon balm and grated ginger in warm water and lemon. Foods to reduce are caffeine, sugar, gluten and processed foods. When cooking, keep ingredients simple to avoid any reactions and intolerances that can trigger a migraine.”

Reduce inflammation
“At the root of all joint issues is Inflammation,” says Cathriona Hodgins, a nutritionist with Macánta Nutrition in Galway. “Ginger and boswellia are two of the main anti-inflammatory nutrients used in many joint products today. Ginger supports joint health as an anti-inflammatory agent by reducing swelling around the joint and providing pain relief. Many clinical studies in the area of osteoarthritis have shown the effectiveness of ginger in reduction of symptoms associated with this condition.

Boswellia is a lesser-known nutrient but equally important in supporting joint health. Also known as Indian Frankincense, boswellia is widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. The main components in boswellia are boswellic acids, which have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antioxidant and anti-arthritic activity in a variety of clinical studies.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is Nature’s lubricant, which has gained huge popularity of late in the joint care category due to its success in relieving stiffness and improving flexibility.

UC-II® is a patented form of undenatured type II collagen. It helps support joint health by promoting the repair and maintenance of cartilage.

Research suggests that these botanicals and nutrients, when used together, provide synergistic effects. UC-11® repairs cartilage and reduces inflammation, HA lubricates the joint while ginger and boswellia are particularly effective in alleviating pain and supporting overall joint flexibility.”

Supplement with magnesium
“Supplementing with magnesium is a popular choice for all ages but it’s really helpful for painful muscles and joints,” says Bernadette Cass, owner-manager of Fruit ‘N Nut Health Store in Portlaoise, Co. Laois. “It is a mineral which is used in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. Magnesium deficiency seems to be prevalent as the soil is depleted of this mineral, which in turn means we cannot get enough even when we eat lots of green vegetables. Magnesium deficiency is linked to several health issues, from cardiovascular disease and chronic fatigue to osteoporosis, muscle pain and cramps. Magnesium allows vitamin D to be used more effectively. Apart from taking magnesium as a supplement, you can also use it externally as a gel or lotion or use the salts in a bath. It is useful to those who suffer from migraines.”

Try some turmeric
“Having become increasingly famous over the last 20 years, and with over 10,000 research papers written about it, turmeric is now the most scientifically studied substance on the planet,” says Matt Ronan from Evolv Healthstore in Enniscorthy.

“Its full proper botanical name is Curcuma Longa. Some of the most famous aspects of its chemical make-up are referred to as curcuminoids. Turmeric is famously anti-inflammatory and a potent antioxidant. The anti-inflammatory action is vital as inflammation is generally regarded as being at the root cause of many of our chronic diseases. From Alzheimer’s to heart disease and cancer prevention to arthritis, the list of researched benefits from turmeric goes on and on and on. Its greatest effect, however, has been with painful conditions – so joint pain, back pain etc – and here it has been a revelation!

The problem is that normal turmeric powder is notoriously difficult to absorb into the bloodstream. However, much work has been done to overcome this difficulty and there are a few methods which can help. One of them is to combine the powder with black pepper and coconut oil.”

Reduce stress on the body
Physical therapies can help people with chronic pain issues. Linda Redmond is a qualified Amatsu practitioner who practises in Bandon, West Cork. She explains: “Amatsu is a physical therapy founded on principles of natural movement called Tai jutsu and based on Japanese osteopathic techniques. This gentle manipulative therapy focuses on the realignment of the body, focusing firstly on the pelvis. Once the pelvis is realigned, we can start to work on the joints, muscles, ligaments and organs.

The theory is that stress put on the body by physical injury or mental/emotional stress causes the bones and muscles to move out of their natural alignment, which strains the ligaments. As a whole-body holistic physical therapy, Amatsu is successful in treating a wide range of medical conditions and illnesses, from arthritis and joint problems to sprains, strains, sciatica, headaches and more.

A treatment, referred to as a ‘balance’, normally takes between 45 and 60 minutes. The number of treatments required will always depend on your individual problems. My objective is to teach you to listen to and read the signs your body sends you. It is well known that prevention is better than cure.”

Try This
“Hemp oil is anti-inflammatory,” says Bernadette Cass. “It is high in ALA (alpha lipoic acid) which has been shown to lower inflammatory markers. Arnica is used topically to help relieve pain from arthritis and from aches and pains. This herb is used to help bruising and assist with healing. Arnica in homeopathic form can be taken internally to also speed up healing.”

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