Devil may care
Devil’s Claw contains the active compounds, harpagosides,
which have natural anti-inflammatory and painkilling actions.
Studies have found it can significantly improve pain levels
associated with muscular tension in the neck, shoulders and
back1.
Laughter is the best medicine
Research shows that a spell of laughter can help to relieve
pain. It increases blood flow, boosts the metabolism and stimulates
the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
These act as chemical messengers and attach to the same receptors
in our brain as opiate drugs like morphine and opium, to numb
feelings of pain.
Get a massage
A study conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association
found that 91% of adults who had tried massage therapy found it to
be an effective method of pain relief. Massage helps to ease pain
by reducing tension in the muscles, improving blood and oxygen flow
to the affected area and stimulating the release of the feel good
chemicals, endorphins.
Bromelain
Bromelain is a natural enzyme extracted from the stem of the
pineapple plant and is often used as a natural alternative to
painkillers such as ibuprofen. It works to alleviate the pain
associated with inflammation by blocking the production of
inflammatory mediators. In a study of 70 patients, bromelain was
shown to significantly reduce acute knee pain and stiffness by
59%3.
Move it
Gentle stretching and relaxing exercise such as yoga can help to
strengthen the muscles which support your joints and back to help
ease back pain and arthritis-related stiffness. Yoga is especially
beneficial as it employs special breathing techniques that help to
relax muscles in the body that can become tense and cause
problems.
1) Walker AF et al. Phytomedicine (2002)
9(8):68106
2) Gobel et al. Schmerz.
(2001);15:10-18.
3) Harpagophyti Radix. Exeter, UK: ESCOP; 1996-1997.
Fascicule 2.
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