Other natural solutions for pain relief

Consider acupuncture. This safe, natural therapy has a well-documented ability to relieve the pain of conditions as varied as carpal tunnel syndrome and headaches, arthritis and fibromyalgia. Based on the concept of Qi (pronounced chee), the life energy that flows through us all, acupuncture relieves pain using carefully placed needles to stimulate blocked energy flow.

Use heat or cold. Try moist heat, warm baths and showers, or a towel dipped in hot water (instead of a heating pad). Cold packs can relieve inflammation — wrap ice cubes from your freezer in a plastic bag placed over a thin towel on the affected area. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day.

Or apply a magnet to the painful area. I recommend magnets to all my patients with pain. While no one yet has satisfactorily explained how magnets work, one theory is that they enhance blood flow to an injured area, which would predictably decrease inflammation and speed up healing. A second theory is that they activate electrical currents in the body and release pain-relieving neurotransmitters, and may even stimulate the brain and central nervous system directly. Ultimately, the only thing that matters is that they do work. Many professional athletes use magnets to relieve pain and speed healing, and what works for them is likely to work for you, too. Magnets come in many shapes and sizes that can be applied to virtually any painful region of the body.

If you prefer topical pain relief, I recommend:

DMSO in cream, liquid, or gel form. I recommend less-than-full concentration — a 50 percent solution on the face and a 70 percent solution from the neck down.

Capsaicin, as a cream or ointment. Capsaicin is the compound that gives chili peppers their heat — but it also relieves pain when applied topically. A small amount should be rubbed into the skin directly over the painful area. Reapply three or four times per day, or as needed. Give it a good try and stick with it for a least a month, even if it burns a bit at first.

Penetran+Plus or similar quaternary amines. This ammonium-based, topical lotion provides soothing relief of arthritis pain. Apply a small amount over affect areas and rub in. You may repeat this several times a day, as needed. To order Penetran+Plus go to www.penetran.com