Acupuncture
Acupuncture in an Ancient Chinese medicine that involves inserting thin needles into specific pressure points around the body. It can be used to treat all kinds of pain from headaches to period pain. Many people find it to be very effective. The treatment should only ever be carried out by a trained professional.
Massage therapy
Massages can also be an effective form of pain relief. By relaxing muscles, a massage therapist may be able to reduce inflammation or release trapped nerves. They are an effective form of pain relief for those with joint problems or muscular problems. You may even be able to massage yourself.
Hydrotherapy
Water can be used to relieve pain. The buoyancy and the heat can help to relax muscles and ease inflammation. While hydrotherapy clinics exist with specialist tubs, you may be able to relieve pain simply by taking a hot bath in your home. In fact, many doctors recommend a hot bath for easing joint pain and even easing early labour pain.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a herb with anti-inflammatory properties. Some scientists have even compared its effects to that of over-the-counter medicine. Turmeric is most effective at relieving joint pain and pain as a result of neuropathy. It’s often consumed as a powder in hot water.
Ginger
Ginger belongs to the same family as turmeric. On top of having a long history as a natural painkiller, it is very effective at treating nausea. You can consume ginger as a tea or you can mix it into foods.
Cannabis
Medicinal cannabis is used in many parts of the world as a form of pain relief. There are many sites where you can buy strains such as mango kush cannabis to smoke or put into edibles. If cannabis is illegal in your country, you may be able to try CBD oil as an alternative – this extract possesses all the numbing effects without the high.
Cloves
Rubbing cloves on the gums has long been a remedy for toothache. In fact, many dental numbing gels contain cloves. You can also rub raw cloves onto the gums for a similar effect.
Devil’s claw
This strange-looking plant – which resembles a claw – has long been harvested for its pain-relieving properties. It is particularly effective for treating headaches. Devil’s claw extract can be bought from a herbal pharmacy as a pill or a powder.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin is the ingredient in chillies that gives them their spicy kick. A number of topical creams are available on the market containing capsaicin – when rubbed onto an achy area, these creams can offer effective pain relief.
Coffee
If you suffer from migraines, it could be worth brewing yourself a cup of coffee. Many people have found that coffee can relieve headaches – possibly due to caffeine’s effect of opening up blood vessels. That said, it can have the opposite effect for some people, making a headache worse.
