Natural Pain Relief Options: A Helpful Guide

The most common pain relievers are the conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, otherwise known as NSAIDs. Common NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen just to name a few. Brand names such as Advil, Celebrex, Motrin and Bayer are among the NSAIDs. They work chemically by blocking certain enzymes, which in turn prevents your body from making prostaglandins, which can cause pain and swelling. Unfortunately, although NSAIDs tend to make some of the best pain relievers, they are not always the best or safest choice. Accompanied with pain relief are oftentimes some potential side effects such as nausea and dizziness, headache, drowsiness, and gastrointestinal issues which have an even greater chance of occurring with prolonged use. More serious issues can also occur, such as internal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, many of which can and does turn fatal to thousands of people a year. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized each year due to NSAID complications. Fortunately, there are many natural remedies for pain and inflammation that have less to no side effects and are generally safer than NSAIDs while remaining an effective source of pain relief. Some natural options are listed below.

- Boswellia: This healing herb comes from India, where it is grown on the Boswellia serrata tree. It has been used for hundreds of years for its anti-inflammatory properties, which are much more gentle in its usage than NSAIDs. This herb produces certain acids that have been known to aid in pain and inflammation that have to do with arthritis, fibromyalgia, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, menstrual cramps, and back pain amongst other things. The acids also help to improve blood circulation to the joints, which is great for those with joint problems and arthritis.

- Bromelain: This pineapple extract contains a mixture of enzymes that work as an anti-inflammatory - especially that associated with infections and bodily injuries. It has been shown to reduce the swelling and bruising from injuries, along with greatly relieving pain during the healing time. It may also be just as effective as NSAIDs for providing pain relief in those with arthritis and other painful disorders such as tendinitis.

- Glucosamine: This is a type of amino acid/sugar found in the body that helps promote new cartilage growth and thus aid in joint pain relief - which in studies has shown to be just as or more effective in pain relief as NSAIDs. A lot of this is because NSAIDs generally treat the pain only and not its source, whereas glucoasamine works at the root of the problem when it comes to arthritis - repairing cartilage and aiding in joint relief. To feel the effects of glucosamine, it is recommended to take it for at least a couple of weeks. Taking it the moment you begin to feel pain isn't really effective, but if you have long-term pain you are experiencing, give it some time and you will begin to feel the effects. Diabetics should always speak to a doctor before using glucosamine, as it can cause imbalance to the body's blood sugar levels.

- Omega-3 Fish Oil: This has been said to be the most effective anti-inflammatory pain reliever, along with being the safest. It has been shown in studies to greatly reduce the deadly risks that are associated with common conventional anti-inflammatory medicines, as well as cutting the risk of cardiovascular death in half. It also has few or no side effects, except for the risk of a fishy taste of a cheap fish oil capsule. However, it is recommended in investing in a high-quality fish oil brand, to ensure you won't be ingesting toxins and a lot of mercury that can commonly be found in fish. Salmon Oil Plus is a great brand that not only guarantees that its fish oil is 100% pure, but it includes the entire family of fatty acids that you won't find in other fish oil capsules.

- Willow Bark: This has been used since ancient times as an effective pain remedy, especially for that associated with arthritis and back pain, headache, and tissue disorders like tendinitis. The willow tree's bark holds a chemical known as salicin, which is similar to aspirin (it was even used to originally develop aspirin) in its anti-inflammatory and pain easing properties. Of course, those allergic to salicylates as well as those with asthma, hemophilia, stomach ulcers, diabetes and gastritis should steer clear of this herb.

While the pain-relief options listed above are generally safe to use, it is still recommended to speak to your doctor first if you are already taking medication, are pregnant, or have any kind of illness or disorder.