Pain can be extremely debilitating and can hamper the simplest day-to-day activities. Chronic pain can be extremely persistent and long allopathic treatments are generally discouraged due to the side effects of these treatments. The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study which stated that about two-thirds of the world uses alternative or complementary therapies. It also stated that in America itself, 40% of all Americans use these therapies. There are several natural remedies that can be used either as a part of complimentary or alternative medicine.

1. Herbal and Natural Remedies
There are several chemicals present in certain herbs and plants that are useful in relieving and controlling pain. Capsaicin is an active compound in chili peppers and helps to reduce pain when used topically. It is now the active ingredient in various topical creams for pain management. Using these creams regularly depletes the neurotransmitters within the neurons and leads to a long- term reduction in pain. Pineapples contain Bromelain which is an anti-inflammatory agent and is therefore used to treat pain caused by swelling. This enzyme is also available in tablet form and is often used to provide relief from sinusitis, trauma and injuries and arthritis. Fish oil too has been tested for its effectiveness in pain management and studies have shown that it is very effective in reducing pain and inflammation. In addition to these remedies, there are several others like Ginger, Aquamin, Arnica, Glucosamine sulfate, and Boswellia that are also effective in treating various types of pains and aches. However, it is important that you speak to your doctor before you take any type of medications.

2. Acupuncture and Acupressure
This type of therapy stimulates various points on the body to promote healing. While acupressure is the application of pressure to various points on the body, in acupuncture, the specialist pierces the skin with extremely fine needles. The pain from the needle is not even a fraction of the pain experienced with an injection as the needles are a lot finer. A more modern form of this therapy includes electro-acupuncture which combines the piercing with electrical stimulation. Acupuncture has been observed to be particularly helpful in alleviating pain. It is generally used to treat musculoskeletal pain problems - both acute and chronic. It can be used to alleviate the discomfort and pain of problems such as muscle spasms, sprains, Sciatica, Migraine and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.