There are a wide variety of natural pain relief herbs and techniques available. When choosing a therapy, keep in mind that many choices such as herbs and aromatherapy can have side effects, but relief can be quickly had. Other techniques such as relaxation therapy and meditation will take concentration and commitment. Work with your practitioner to find a therapy that will provide you with the best results.
What is Pain
When your body detects a sensation it may be interpreted by your brain as pain. This information is received through your nerve pathways. According to Stanford Medicine, the level of pain felt differs for each person, because individual perception and tolerance of pain varies. There are also different types of pain; acute and chronic. Acute pain is short-term and directly related to a particular incident or injury, while chronic is long-term or re-occurring. Relief for these types of pain can be vastly different.
History of Pain Releif
In ancient times, there is archaeological evidence that people would drill holes in heads for pain relief. Egyptians used electric eels. During the Middle Ages, a variety of herbs were used. One of the most popular compounds used during that time was Theriac. Theriac was made of at least 64 compounds mixed into a base of honey. Some of the mixtures used contained opiates. The use of minerals was also popular, such as gold and ivory. More recently, opiates, alcohol and cocaine were used for pain relief. Many of the pain relievers used today are based on herbs.
Common Herbs Used for Pain Relief
Willow bark has been used for thousand of years for pain relief, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, It was used to develop aspirin during the 1800s. Other herbs used include kava kava, which induces a calm and relaxed state, ginger, which is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a cardiovascular stimulant, and feverfew, known to decrease inflammation and pain. According to herbalist Michael Tierra, rosemary tea is also a very effective pain reliever.
Alternative Pain Relief Methods
Acupuncture is used to relieve pain by inserting very small needles into the body, which then releases endogenous opioids, your body's own natural painkillers. Loma Linda University Medical Center suggests the use of acupuncture for treating headaches, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Other pain relief methods include hypnosis, biofeedback, relaxation techniques and massage.
Expert Insight
If you suffer from acute pain, you should seek medical attention to rule out any dangerous conditions. If you have chronic pain that your doctor is aware of, consider using natural hands-on therapies that are free of side effects such as reiki, massage or hypnotherapy. If you choose to use herbs or supplements instead, speak to your doctor first, as some supplements and herbs can interact with other medications or offer unwanted side effects.
References
- Stanford Medicine: What is Pain?
- ABC News: A Brief History on Pain
- University of Maryland medical Center: Willow Bark
- University of Illinois Medical Center: Herbs for Pain
- Loma Linda University Medical Center: Alternative Medicine - Pain Relief
- Stony Brook University Medical Center: Alternative Therapies
