Before we gingerly jump into chronic pain to explain what it entails and how it can be treated, or at least managed, let’s first review what “chronic” pain is and how is it different from your run-of-the-mill “acute” (temporary) pain such as that from a stubbed toe.
There are two types of pain: acute pain and chronic pain. The former comes on suddenly and lasts for a relatively short (so to speak) duration. Such acute pain is usually caused by a specific injury, such as a broken bone or an unforeseen condition such as a sudden illness. Acute pain is sharp or intense, acting as a signal sent out by your body screaming for immediate medical attention. Once the basic cause is identified and then treated or heals, acute pain gradually subsides, although it can take weeks or months.
Chronic pain is long-lasting and often described as dull, aching, or throbbing, like the pain associated with arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or fibromyalgia. Chronic pain is defined as that which extends beyond three months, and in many cases for the remainder of a patient’s life. The long-term “prescription” entails managing the pain without expectation of healing or a cure. And it’s not just a matter of dealing with the pain and the underlying source, it’s also attending to the victim’s quality-of-life needs influenced by reduced mobility, diminished strength, and functional disability. That in turn can result in anxiety and/or depression accompanied by sleep disturbances.
Prescription Drug Use for Chronic Pain Has Become a Cautionary Tale
At any given time, millions of people worldwide have seen their quality of life adversely affected by chronic pain. The situation is exacerbated by the gradual loss of effectiveness of some prescription medicines over time. Even more alarming than the side effects of medications is the rampant addictive nature of some drugs.
Such persistent pain is characteristic of musculoskeletal pain – which is pain of the back, joints, and muscles in your body. Pain treatment must be personalized, taking into account myriad individual factors for the patient such as inflammation intensity, how a patient experiences pain, and the availability, effectiveness, and cost of applicable medications.
Although anti-inflammatory remedies such as ibuprofen or naproxen can work admirably with short-term pain, their long-term use can produce detrimental side effects, to include kidney and gastrointestinal harm. It’s no wonder that patients and professional health-care providers have become increasingly open to natural remedies as an alternative to managing chronic pain.
9 Supplements to Help Restore Quality of Life (and Function) for Chronic Pain Patients
Following is a rundown of nine natural remedies (among others) to consider using for chronic pain. Be sure to discuss your use of ANY supplement for treating chronic pain with your personal physician or other appropriate healthcare professional:
Boswellia. This Ayurvedic herb, extracted from the tree of the same name native to India, provides potent anti-inflammatory and pain relief for osteoarthritis as well as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Cherry extract. Cherries are abundant in anthocyanin, which provides both the red coloration and anti-inflammatory attributes.
Chondroitin/Glucosamine. These two supplements provide one of the best one-two tandems among natural remedies by teaming up to thwart pain linked to cartilage loss: chondroitin bolsters function and glucosamine acts against stiffness.
Cloves. These have long been used to diminish toothache pain, among other types of pain. They have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics.
Collagen. Known best for its skin-elasticity properties, collagen has been shown by studies to alleviate joint pain as well as muscle soreness.
Ginger. This centuries-old, natural anti-inflammatory has been used to treat pain and inflammation. Its effectiveness attributable chiefly to component compounds gingerols and shogaols.
Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3’s seem particularly effective in taming the joint swelling and tenderness associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Turmeric. Its main active ingredient, curcumin, is claimed by experts to be able to reduce pain in a manner similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Medical science more and more is turning to natural remedies such as herbs and other supplements to combat chronic pain, and many of these battles are being won to some degree. Once again, confer with your personal physician before using any of the supplements listed above.