Joint pain is the typical response to an injury. Injury triggers an inflammatory reaction, creating swelling, redness, and heat. As the swelling and pressure build, they irritate specialized nerve cells called nociceptors (pain receptors). This pain and swelling are a normal body response. Natural anti-inflammatories reduce swelling to ease pain, and because they are generally safe, they can be taken for many days when compared to traditional over-the-counter medications such as NSAIDs.

Common Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin), and others are some of the most commonly used medicines in the world due to their ability to reduce pain and inflammation. However, there are well-documented adverse side effects to be aware of—especially when taken on a longer-term basis—including heartburn, stomach pain (gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers), as well as liver and kidney problems known as hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is also commonly used to reduce fever and pain caused by muscle aches and stiffness but, unlike NSAIDs, it does not relieve inflammation. Acetaminophen has potential side effects including nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, rash, and headaches. Because of the potential adverse effects from over-the-counter medications, some people choose to begin with natural anti-inflammatories.

Natural Anti-Inflammatories

Curcumin (derived from turmeric root) is a strong option because it is effective, well-tolerated, and one of the most powerful natural anti-inflammatories available. According to a scientific review of clinical trials published in the journal Pain Medicine, curcumin was found to significantly reduce pain. While the study’s authors note that more research is needed, they conclude that curcumin should be considered for alleviating pain and that it exhibits fewer adverse effects than NSAIDs.

White willow bark is also an effective natural pain reliever and is derived from the bark of the willow tree. The active ingredient within the bark was discovered in 1828 and named salicin. Salicin converts in the body to salicylic acid, a beneficial anti-inflammatory compound. Many believe that white willow bark is the natural source of aspirin; however, it contains only a small amount of salicin compared to aspirin, which is synthetically made by chemically modifying salicylic acid.

Some research indicates that white willow bark may be as effective as aspirin at a much smaller dose because of its powerful pain-reducing and anti-inflammatory compounds called flavonoids and polyphenols—which may also contribute to its lower risk of side effects. Flavonoids and polyphenols are widespread compounds found naturally in many plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Additional Natural Supplements

A comprehensive scientific review from the journal Phytotherapy Research found evidence that white willow bark extract appears to be comparable to the NSAID rofecoxib (Vioxx) in reducing low back pain. Note that white willow bark products should not be used by those with a known aspirin allergy. To learn more about how white willow bark may address back pain-related injury, read our article “Dogged by Back Pain? You May Need Some Bark.”

Other natural supplements such as bromelain and ginger root extract are also popular remedies for helping with injuries and associated pain and inflammation. Bromelain (derived from the fruit and stem of the pineapple plant) is believed to help the body produce substances that fight pain and swelling, while ginger root may help inhibit the production of compounds related to pain and inflammation—making them a complementary pair.

Natural Strategies for Recovery

In addition to natural anti-inflammatories, and depending on the severity of your injury, there are other strategies you can consider:

PRICE Method — Protection of the injury, Rest, Ice for up to 20 minutes every hour, Compression with a wrap or splint, and Elevation above the heart to decrease blood flow and swelling. Remove ice after 20 minutes—longer is not better. After about 72 hours, begin using heat to increase blood flow and support the body’s natural healing process.

Hot–Cold Therapy — After most of the initial swelling and pain have decreased, alternate between ice and heat. Ice minimizes blood flow and reduces inflammation while numbing pain receptors. After about 10 minutes, switch to heat to increase blood flow and deliver nutrients needed for tissue repair. Alternating back and forth may create a flushing effect within the tissue.

Gentle Mobilization and Stretching — The sooner you begin moving the injured joint in a pain-free manner, the faster the area can recover.

Clean Eating — A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, high-quality protein, and plenty of water supports healing. Eliminating refined carbohydrates, processed foods, and added sugars helps reduce systemic inflammation. Increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) is also beneficial.

Recommended Supplements

For those looking for a high-quality curcumin supplement, I recommend Ortho Molecular’s Turiva due to its full-spectrum turmeric matrix. I also recommend Designs for Health’s Curcum-Evail 400, which contains turmeric oil and three well-researched curcuminoids. Both are formulated to minimize gastrointestinal irritation and are typically well tolerated.

If you would like to try white willow bark for injury management, I recommend White Willow Forte by Nutra BioGenesis. It provides a research-supported dose of white willow bark along with other natural anti-inflammatories including bromelain and ginger root extract.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions regarding the concepts discussed here or anything else, you can reach our customer service team at customerservice@oakwaynaturals.com or call 888-460-3091.

Until next time, stay healthy!

Yours in health,

Dr. Gregg Gittins