Natural Pain Management

Taking anti-inflammatory medication long term for pain management will help to improve your quality of life in regards to swelling, mobility, range of movement and pain tolerance, however the long term effects of this medication can be detrimental to other organs and systems of the body such as:

  • Decreased liver function
  • Degradation of the stomach lining
  • Leaky gut formation
  • Formation of stomach ulcers
  • Increased acidity

DIET TIPS WHEN TAKING PAIN MANAGEMENT MEDICATION

  • Ensure adequate hydration, there are many schools of thought now which directly link pain to dehydration
  • Alkalise your diet to reduce inflammation and heat in the body by increasing foods such as water, lemon juice, vegetable juices, miso soup, vegetable broths, sprouts, fish and grains
  • Decrease acidic foods which contribute to pain and inflammation such as tea, coffee, alcohol, soft drinks, dairy, wheat, sugar, preserved and processed foods. High levels of acidity in the body contributes to settling of inflammation and acid in the muscles and joints
  • Begin each day with a warm glass of lemon juice with some Manuka Honey added to it. Lemon juice is alkalising and cleansing while Manuka Honey may help to reduce the risk of ulcers due to its potent anti-bacterial and soothing properties

LIFESTYLE FACTORS WHEN TAKING PAIN MANAGEMENT MEDICATION

  • Support and improve liver function as long term pharmaceutical medications need to be detoxified through the enzyme pathways in the liver and can cause liver congestion

NATURAL REMEDIES WHEN TAKING PAIN MANAGEMENT MEDICATION

  • Slippery elm powder before you eat and/ or before you take your pain medication as it is a demulcent (soothing) and sticks to the walls of the digestive tract providing a barrier and a protective lining to the mucus membranes of the digestive tract
  • Probiotics may help to help to ensure that you have healthy gut and bowel flora
  • You may consider speaking to your Healthcare professional regarding your medication, some herbal and nutritional alternatives for pain relief include: White Willow, Devils Claw, Boswellia, Tumeric, Cats Claw, Black Pepper, Ginger, Vitamin C, Glutamine, Aloe Vera, Magnesium, Green lipped muscles and Methylsulfonyl methionine (MSM).
  • Magnesium is an important mineral for the nervous and musculo-skeletal system which is rapidly burnt up when an individual is enduring pain. Magnesium is an anti-inflammatory and low levels of this may contribute to muscle and joint aches, pain, inflammation, cramps, spasms and twitches. A Magnesium supplement which contains Malic acid and Taurine as complimentary substances for pain relief is recommended
  • The enzyme Bromelain which is found in pineapples has potent anti-inflammatory effects to reduce inflammation in the blood and musculo-skeletal system.
  • Fish oil contains many lubricating and beneficial oils to reduce inflammation and protect the body from further degradation caused by inflammation
  • Herbal medicines to support and modulate immunity such as Astragalus and Reishi mushrooms. Speak to your Healthcare professional concerning herbal medicines, a combination of these herbs have been used successfully to dampen down hyperimmunity as is the case with autoimmune diseases.
  • A green supplement may be of benefit which contains super foods such as Goji Berries, Spirulina, Noni Juice, Maca powder, Royal jelly and/ or Green Barley powder. A combination of some of these ingredients will help to improve nutrition while supporting the kidneys and liver to detoxify, cleanse and alkalise