Most of us have aches and pains and or various ailments, but prescription pharmaceuticals or over-the-counter drugs can have serious short and long-term side effects. In Part 3 of our doctor recommendation series, we’re giving you the rundown of natural remedies for pain, heartburn, IBS, and more. If you missed Part 1 or Part 2, be sure to go back and take a look at our burnout busters and weight loss advice.
Probiotics for Pain Relief
More than 100 million Americans live with chronic pain, including back, neck, and facial pain, arthritis, and severe headaches or migraines. Persistent, unmanaged pain can lead to lost productivity, poor sleep, low energy, disability, depression, poor physical health, and an overall lack of enjoyment of life. Probiotics may help those with chronic pain by reducing inflammation, according to a recent study on patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Doctors recommend 1 probiotic capsule a day for improved pain management. Mercola Complete Probiotics contains 10 strains of beneficial bacteria, has no artificial ingredients, and is free of dairy, gluten, corn, and soy. Other pain relief advice from doctors include arnica gel, which has been found to be as effective as ibuprofen in relieving pain, and ice massage. Ice massage involves freezing ice in a paper cup and then wrapping it in a towel and massaging the painful area, reducing swelling and encouraging the removal of toxins from the area. Doctors also recommend those with chronic pain take a daily omega 3 supplement to reduce inflammation. Green Pastures Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil is an excellent source of omega 3, is raw and all natural, and comes in a variety of flavors. It’s also available in unflavored or orange-flavored capsules.
Turmeric for IBS
If you have pain and digestive issues that come and go — but never really go away — you could have irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. IBS symptoms include diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. Attacks can be triggered by certain foods or stress and anxiety. Turmeric has been used to treat intestinal issues in Chinese and Indian medicine for thousands of years, and recent studies have shown it to reduce symptoms of IBS by 50%. The curcumin in turmeric reduces inflammation and abnormal contractions of the bowel muscles. Doctors recommends 60mg, 3 times a day, taken before meals. Pure Synergy Turmeric is 100% organic and made from raw turmeric with no fillers.
Manuka Honey for Heartburn
Over 20 million people suffer from heartburn, the burning sensation caused by stomach acid traveling up the esophagus. Doctors have recommended taking a teaspoon of manuka honey at the first sign of heartburn. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of medicinal honey can ease your symptoms. Wedderspoon Manuka Honey is raw, organic, medical grade honey harvested from New Zealand, where manuka flowers are bountiful. Doctors also caution that skinny jeans may worsen heartburn. Tight clothing puts pressure on the abdomen, slowing digestion and causing acid reflux. Carbonated beverages, salt, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, tomatoes, as well as pain relievers and cigarettes, can all trigger heartburn flares. In addition to manuka honey, many doctors suggest eating a banana a day, which thickens the mucosal lining of the stomach and esophagus to create a natural protective barrier. Orange peel extract can also help by speeding up digestion — take 1000 mg every other day, up to 20 days.
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