Pain Relief

pic of weight lifter who needs pain relief
If you need natural pain relief, we can help


What is pain?

Pain is a perception of discomfort caused by nerves transmitting pain signals to your brain.  Pain is often caused by inflammation.  Inflammation is caused by many things such as an injury, a reaction to food, oxidative stress, environmental allergies, and infection.

What are the signs and symptoms of pain?

Really the only symptom of pain is the feeling of discomfort that you have.  What pain feels like is described in many different ways. It may be aching, throbbing, pounding, shooting, sharp, dull, stabbing, tingling, burning, pressing, squeezing and/or pinching.

What are the different types of pain?

Nerve pain is often sharp, localized and may radiate.  Muscle pain feels more generalized, dull, burning and in a broader area.

What is chronic pain?

Pain can be acute or chronic.

Acute pain:

  • can come on suddenly
  • can be intense
  • is in an isolated area
  • is usually related to an injury
  • doesn’t last for more than a few days, weeks or months depending on the cause of the pain

Chronic pain:

  • lasts longer than 6 months
  • persists even after the initial injury has healed.

The diagnosis of chronic pain is usually based on the duration of the pain.

What are natural chronic pain treatments?

At Forces of Nature, the types of treatment that we offer for chronic pain include acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal medicine, massage therapy, and naturopathic medicine.  Each of these treatments addresses pain through different means.  Acupuncture signals your brain to release natural pain relievers known as endorphins and encephalins.  From a Chinese medicine standpoint, it removes blockages to the flow of qi or energy.  These blockades cause pain.  A chiropractor re-aligns your body so that movement is pain-free.  Muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue and your spine all move freely.  The way they are intended to.  Herbs provide pain relief by reducing inflammation, nourishing your body and speeding healing.  Massage therapy releases tension in muscles, induces relaxation, promotes circulation and healing and calms the nerves.  Naturopathic medicine has many options for pain relief – acupuncture, herbal medicine, bodywork, natural anti-inflammatories, stress reduction techniques, and hydrotherapy.

What are natural products for pain relief?

Natural products can be effective, non-addictive, pain relief options. This applies whether you suffer from back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, arthritis or headaches.  Natural products that relieve pain are usually anti-inflammatory in nature.  Because inflammation is what you perceive as pain. Natural anti-inflammatories include Boswellia, Curcumin and White Willow Bark.  Always consult a naturopathic doctor before taking natural products to ensure that they are safe in your specific situation.


Gum-resin extracts of Boswellia serrata have been used for centuries to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. The resinous part of Boswellia serrata contains numerous active compounds.  Out of these, boswellic acid is a potent inhibitor of an enzyme that is responsible for inflammation, 5-alpha lipoxygenase.


Curcumin is an extract from the turmeric root (Curcuma longa). It is inexpensive and highly safe in humans.  It blocks the action and production of an inflammatory cytokine called TNF-α. There is evidence that curcumin may be effective against all of the diseases for which TNF blockers are currently being used. This includes rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis (UC), and Crohn’s disease.

White Willow Bark

Willow bark contains a chemical known as salicin.  Salicylic acid, the active component of aspirin, is derived from white willow bark.  It is anti-inflammatory and studies show that it relieves headaches and back pain.

Chronic pain is not just something you have to live with.  Our wellness professionals will design a natural, comprehensive pain relief strategy for you that encompasses one or more of the above strategies.   Book an appointment now to get started with safe, natural pain relief.

Pain References

M. Z. Siddiqui. Boswellia Serrata, A Potential Antiinflammatory Agent: An Overview. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2011 May-Jun; 73(3): 255–261.


Meditation for Pain Relief

endogenous opioids. Journal of Neuroscience. 2016; 36(11):3391-7.
● Meditation significantly lowered pain intensity compared to those who did not meditate.

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