{"id":52646,"date":"2022-07-12T09:00:21","date_gmt":"2022-07-12T13:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=52646"},"modified":"2024-09-27T09:51:59","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T13:51:59","slug":"home-remedies-for-pain-relief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/home-remedies-for-pain-relief\/","title":{"rendered":"13 home remedies for pain relief"},"content":{"rendered":"

You spent a productive afternoon in your garden pulling weeds, but now you\u2019re dealing with low back pain. Or maybe you have a nagging knot in your shoulder that just doesn\u2019t\u00a0 go away. Whatever ails you, you probably have an over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication at the ready. But before reaching for your old standby, why not try a natural pain reliever first? Here are 13 expert-approved home remedies for pain that are backed by science.<\/span><\/p>\n

13 home remedies for pain<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pain can be either acute or chronic. <\/span>Acute pain<\/span><\/a> usually comes on quickly, say from a muscle sprain or scraped knee, and lasts until the injury that\u2019s causing the pain heals. <\/span>Chronic pain<\/span><\/a> lasts longer\u2014usually more than three months\u2014and is a result of an underlying health condition (such as an old sports injury, or an autoimmune disorder like fibromyalgia).<\/span><\/p>\n

Pain can be treated with medications. <\/span>Analgesics<\/span><\/a>, or pain relieving drugs, are classified as either non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (<\/span>NSAIDs<\/span><\/a>) or <\/span>opioids<\/span><\/a>. NSAIDs work by reducing inflammation at the area where pain is occurring, whereas opioid pain relievers work by altering the brain\u2019s perception of pain. But the body has its own mechanism for relieving pain, too\u2014hormones called <\/span>endorphins<\/span><\/a>. Endorphins are released by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in response to pain and work on the same pain receptors in the brain that opioid medications target.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To ease your pain without medication, try one or more of these all-natural remedies:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Capsaicin<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Turmeric<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Cloves<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Anti-inflammatory diet<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Hot or cold compresses<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  6. CBD<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Massage therapy<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Acupuncture<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Exercise<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  10. Mindfulness exercises<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  11. Aromatherapy<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  12. Boswellia<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  13. Magnesium and zinc<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    1. Capsaicin<\/h3>\n

    The main component of hot chili peppers and other spicy foods, <\/span>capsaicin<\/span><\/a> easily merits the title of nature\u2019s best painkiller, says <\/span>J. Wes Ulm, MD, Ph.D.<\/span><\/a>, a physician-researcher <\/span>and bioinformatics expert at <\/span>Harvard Medical School Hospital System<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt’s been found to have remarkable, sustained, and widely applicable analgesic properties, particularly for <\/span>neuralgias<\/span><\/a> (pain caused by irritated or damaged nerves) and sports injuries,\u201d Dr. Ulm says. <\/span>Capsaicin<\/span><\/a> products are available over the counter in ointment, lotion, patch, cream, or gel formulations.<\/span><\/p>\n

    2. Turmeric<\/h3>\n

    Often used in curries and other food preparations, <\/span>turmeric<\/span><\/a> is a natural painkiller with antioxidant properties. The main active ingredient of turmeric is curcumin, which gives the spice its rich, golden color. Turmeric is helpful in <\/span>alleviating joint pain<\/span><\/a>, particularly arthritis. And because of its <\/span>anti-inflammatory properties<\/span><\/a>, turmeric may be effective at treating other forms of pain and inflammatory conditions. It can be taken orally as a capsule, tablet, or extract. Follow the product instructions.<\/span><\/p>\n

    RELATED: <\/b>14 health benefits of turmeric<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

    3. Cloves<\/h3>\n

    Cloves contain a natural anesthetic called <\/span>eugenol<\/span><\/a>, which works well when used as a topical preparation for muscle, soft tissue, and nerve pain\u2014especially toothaches. \u201cEmpirical <\/span>evidence<\/span><\/a> has provided a good deal of documentation for the analgesic effect of cloves when used properly,\u201d Dr. Ulm says. For tooth pain, clove oil can be applied directly to your gums, or you can chew on whole cloves. For muscle and soft tissue pain, apply it topically to the affected area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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