What is pain? Pain is an unpleasant physical or emotional sensation that affects our physiology. Our heart rate rises. Our respiratory rate increases. Hormones are released. White blood cells are released. Every body system is affected in some way. All of us experience pain. Most of us really don’t enjoy pain. Fortunately most pain is temporary. Unfortunately, some is not. The way that we respond to pain is some inherent, some learned. One will respond differently to twisting an ankle while trying to escape a life-threatening situation versus playing a pick up game of basketball with your teenage son who is beating you soundly.
While pain isn’t something that can be entirely avoided, there are many ways to manage it. In the natural world, willow bark has been used. This is where aspirin comes from. While it may be natural, it is still aspirin so all appropriate precautions apply. Curcumin/tumeric is another natural product with reported pain relieving properties. Over the years, I have seen many people use this for pain control, but it doesn’t seem to be something that many stick with. It seems safe enough and may be worth a try. Glucosamine also seems helpful for the right person. Claims that it rebuilds cartilage may be a bit exaggerated, but it can be ...
