Natural Methods to Alleviate Chronic Pain
Written by Susan Parker | Updated on May 28, 2025
Reviewed by Susan Parker
11 sources cited
Picture waking up free from the persistent discomfort that hinders you from enjoying life's simple pleasures.
Chronic pain impacts millions, robbing them of sleep, mobility, and happiness—yet what if the remedy isn't found in a pill? From unconventional therapies to natural treatments, innovative approaches are emerging that could provide enduring relief. Might one of these hold the solution you've been searching for?
Overview
- Physical Activity as Treatment: Regular, mild exercise promotes better blood circulation, strengthens muscles, and nurtures joints, reducing pain and preventing rigidity.
- Anti-Inflammatory Eating Plan: Foods abundant in omega-3 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory components, such as turmeric and blueberries, can naturally ease discomfort.
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): This groundbreaking therapy heightens oxygen distribution to damaged tissues, aiding in healing and lessening persistent pain.
Chronic Pain: An Epidemic in Public Health
Per a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 50 million American adults grapple with chronic pain. And if you fall into this category of pain sufferers, you understand the toll it takes on all facets of your life.
In the pursuit of relief, Americans are increasingly reliant on addictive pain medications like opioids, resulting in a national health emergency.
Unfortunately, chronic pain issues can escalate, leading to additional health concerns such as anxiety and depression. Those constantly in pain often find themselves scaling back on beloved activities like gardening or golf, or completely giving them up.
Pain can also disrupt your sleep, and inadequate sleep is linked to more severe conditions like cancer and dementia.
Natural Approaches to Chronic Pain
For many, pills are typically the first line of defense—be it natural supplements, over-the-counter pain relievers, or prescriptions from a physician.
However, there are alternative, sometimes superior methods to manage pain. You might be able to reduce your reliance on pills, or eliminate them altogether...
Alleviate Pain Through Exercise
There are numerous benefits to exercising, with pain management being an unexpected one—despite the fact that many experience heightened pain after physical exertion.
Regular exercise plays a crucial role in pain relief as it helps fortify muscles, enhances joint flexibility, improves sleep, and diminishes overall pain.
In the Ultimate Guide to Conquering Pain, author Robert Kroening elucidates why exercise is a fundamental aspect of pain management.
“Exercise boosts blood supply to the joints, which typically receive less blood (and thus oxygen) compared to other bodily tissues,” he explains. “Even if arthritis limits physical activity, it's crucial to move the joints whenever feasible. Failure to do so will ultimately render all movement excruciating.”
Furthermore, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage benefit from the increased blood flow, remaining supple. This helps prevent joint injuries, reducing discomfort during instances when strain is inadvertently placed on a limb or joint.
So, seek gentle ways to exercise without straining your body—begin with stretching, then progress to walks—and gradually ramp up your exercise routine as you gain strength.
Foods that Combat Inflammation
Unsurprisingly, a nutritious diet rich in various vitamins and minerals is vital. But for the many individuals grappling with inflammation-induced pain, such as arthritis sufferers, it's especially crucial to consume specific foods.
Robert Kroening's book underscores the advantages. “Diet has been shown to aid rheumatoid arthritis clinically, yet few studies have been conducted … why is that?” he questions. “Because treating arthritis with medications is a lucrative business.”
Kroening speaks highly of inflammation reducers like the spice turmeric (curcumin), which has been proven to reduce inflammation. He also highlights the inflammation-fighting properties of omega-3-rich foods such as flax, cold-water fish, nuts, blueberries, and cruciferous vegetables. He also recommends eliminating grains and sugar.
Many individuals have successfully identified “trigger foods” that exacerbate their pain. Gluten is a primary suspect, so it's advisable to eliminate wheat, barley, and rye products for three months to observe if pain and other symptoms diminish. To conduct a reliable test, strict adherence to a gluten-free diet is necessary—no exceptions!
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) entails inhaling pure oxygen within a pressurized room or encased in an airtight tent. It's the established treatment for decompression sickness, also known as the bends, a hazard of scuba diving. Yet most are unaware of the various other medical applications of HBOT.
While situated in the specialized chamber, pure oxygen is administered at a pressure three times higher than the external air. In this environment, your lungs can absorb more oxygen than possible through regular breathing of pure oxygen at typical air pressure.
How HBOT Can Assist with Chronic Pain ...
Your body's tissues necessitate a consistent oxygen supply to function. When tissue is injured, it requires even more oxygen to survive and regenerate. HBOT boosts the amount of oxygen your blood can transport, leading to temporarily elevated oxygen levels in almost all body tissues.
Essentially, the heightened pressure facilitates oxygen reaching areas it typically wouldn't. Consequently, HBOT can be highly effective for treating stroke patients, where parts of the brain lack oxygen, resulting in paralysis or loss of functions like speech. I penned a book on this topic years ago, and I find it disheartening that the mainstream medical field STILL doesn't offer HBOT to stroke patients experiencing speech or mobility loss.
Now, shifting back to pain, in a 2016 study, researchers explored HBOT's role in 24 animal and human clinical trials. They discovered that the treatment exhibited potential in alleviating pain, though I advocate for further studies to verify this efficacy in chronic pain patients. The treatment is safe, and I believe it's worth considering for individuals struggling to find pain relief through conventional means.
Your conventional physician may be disinclined to suggest hyperbaric oxygen therapy, so consulting an alternative or integrative practitioner is your best recourse. They may be able to prescribe the therapy and guide you to facilities in your vicinity offering HBOT.
Summary
Chronic pain impacts 50 million American adults, often prompting reliance on risky medications and a diminished quality of life. Nonetheless, effective alternatives are available. Exercise enhances joint flexibility and reduces pain through enhanced blood flow. Anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, flax, and blueberries can naturally alleviate symptoms. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) offers a modern approach to stimulating healing by providing elevated oxygen concentrations to tissues. These strategies, coupled with personalized approaches, empower pain sufferers to reclaim their lives without solely depending on medication.
