Many people have turned to more natural methods of healing and pain relief in recent years, especially those who are disappointed with the traditional Western medicine for various reasons. Even though pharmaceutical companies are churning out more sophisticated drugs every year, there is always the danger of adverse reactions to man-made chemicals, or negative reactions with existing medicines a patient may need to take.
Also worth considering is the huge price associated with some of these drugs, often placing them out of the reach by older individuals on fixed incomes- those who are most likely to need pain killers.
As the world's population ages and starts to experience the signs of living longer than ever (due to improved knowledge about nutrition, vitamins and exercise, as well as better diagnostic testing and early detection of problems) there is a great need to improve the quality of life. This can mean eliminating minor discomforts due to an aging body, such as joint or muscle pain.
It's only normal that, at some point, the human body begins to acquire a bit of stiffness, whether it's upon awakening, after physical exertion, or throughout the day, and the full lives of today's seniors' and baby boomers don't allow time for hours in a rocking chair!
With the acceptance of holistic treatment and other "new age" practices comes a demand for natural pain management. Not wishing to be slowed down by numbing or addictive pain killers, millions have found success with herbal medicine for joint pain, back pain, and nerve pain. Many believe that the answer to their pain or stiffness is based on the Eastern philosophy that an imbalance exists within one's body.
This imbalance could be as simple as an older body failing to manufacture enough glucosamine needed to keep joints lubricated, or a lack of the vitamins needed for rapid repair of tissue damage. The view of treating the whole body, or holistic healing, is finding more favor with people who feel that natural healing is easier on the body, with longer range effects.
This natural healing by herbal medicines and painkillers is done primarily by improving the circulation of blood and immune system, thereby improving overall bodily functions and thus eliminating symptoms such as pain, stiffness or tenderness.
Most health food or vitamin suppliers carry a wide range of products for assisting with joint, bone or muscle pain, which usually need no advance preparation by the patient.
They can be obtained in the forms of pill, powder, gel, liquid, spray, tea, lotion, ointment, or suppositories, and are less expensive than generic prescriptions. Some contain basic plant life that can be home grown, while others (like emu oil) are more exotic and therefore more difficult and expensive to obtain.
