BY CHEREE SHELDON (ADV DIP NATUROPATHY, ADV DIP WESTERN HERBAL MEDICINE & ADV DIP NUTRITIONAL MEDICINE), FLANNERYS ORGANIC WHOLEFOOD MARKET, VICTORIA POINT HOMECO CENTRE
Living with pain impacts your quality of life. It can reduce your quality of sleep, affect your mood and mental health, and influence your food choices. Your perception and response to pain input, your recovery time and your ability to ‘carry on’ all differ from person to person.
Types of pain include nerve, bone, visceral and somatic. You can also experience multiple types of pain at once.
Three of the most common pains that people seek help for are:
- Back Pain: Topical oils or creams that are warming may help relieve lower back pain. An Epsom salt or magnesium bath can be a good way to soothe a sore back.
- Arthritis: Kunzea balm may feel very soothing on arthritic joints, while adding collagen that includes Fortigel can be a longer-acting solution.
- Headaches: Aromatherapy – a combination of lavender and peppermint oils may be very helpful to some. Alternatively, try placing an ice pack at the base of your neck. Retreating to a dark, quiet space and focusing on your breath can be helpful.
Inhibiting and suppressing inflammation is key to managing your pain.
Natural medicine has some wonderful remedies to reduce pain and inflammation. Herbs that can help include turmeric, boswellia, SPMS, white willow, ginger, Jamaican dogwood and devil’s claw. Nutraceuticals like magnesium, PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide), collagen, vitamin C and antioxidants can be both anti-inflammatory and reduce free radical damage to cells.
Topical treatments, such as arnica, emu oil, PEA, and magnesium, can also help provide relief. Supporting collagen and connective tissue is very important, especially after injury. Vitamin C and copper are two essential ingredients in supporting the body’s production of collagen. Fortigel and Tendoforte are two very specific collagen peptides that help support healthy tendons, ligaments and cartilage.
A Naturopath’s Top Remedies for Joint Pain and Inflammation:
- Curcumin, one of the active constituents in turmeric, is highly studied for its anti-inflammatory actions. Ayurvedic medicine traditionally combines ginger and black pepper with turmeric to soothe and cool the tissues.
- SPMs or ‘Specialised Pro-resolving Mediators’ are compounds that are naturally produced by omega-3 fatty acids and help relieve inflammation.
- PEA or Palmitoylethanolamide occurs naturally in protein-rich foods. Taking it as part of a pain and inflammation reduction plan can really help reduce pain, especially for chronic and nerve pain.
- Boswellia, turmeric, celery seed and ginger have proven anti-inflammatory activity. Turmeric is an antioxidant, and ginger is a circulatory stimulant aiding the transport of active constituents to target organs. Celery seed has a strong traditional use for treating arthritic conditions.
Flannerys Victoria Point has qualified naturopaths who offer complimentary advice in store.
Always consult with your healthcare professional or speak to us in-store before taking new supplements.
