I’ve written a lot lately about the dangers of Tylenol–from liver failure to having a child with behavioral problems. Of course, taking Tylenol doesn’t automatically mean you’ll die of liver failure. (Unless you’re a deadly brown tree snake.) Nor does it automatically mean your children will suffer behavioral problems. It only means you have an increased risk of experiencing these adverse outcomes.
But many readers don’t want to risk it. They want to know about safe alternatives to Tylenol. And I’ll tell you about a dozen safe options in a moment. But first, remember this…
Always consult with your personal physician before trying ANY treatment. Even an over-the-counter (OTC) drug. Or a natural remedy. If you have a bleeding problem or take drugs that reduce blood clotting, the issues can be complex when it comes to pain relief.
That said, let’s look at some potentially safe pain-relief options you can bring up with your doctor…
I highly recommend asking your doctor about ibuprofen. When this drug came on the market as a prescription in the early 1980s, it truly seemed like a rare therapeutic breakthrough. It seemed to work for just about everyone…from older people with arthritis pain to young women with menstrual pain.
Today, ibuprofen is available as an OTC remedy in doses of 200 mg. However, this dose is often too small to effectively relieve pain. But doctors can prescribe more effective 800 mg doses.
Some of my readers want to avoid all drugs. And I can understand that preference. I too prefer to avoid drugs whenever possible.
One reader questioned my viewpoint recently because I occasionally use the term “natural know-it-alls.” So let me take a moment clear up this misunderstanding…
That term simply implies my concern about “all-natural experts” who don’t seem to know the real medicine or science behind their recommendations–pro or con. You can’t reach reliable conclusions or make blanket recommendations unless you know the real science.
I have dedicated my career to determining the real natural alternatives to mainstream medical treatments. But I’ll also tell you when the science falls short about a natural approach. In fact, I authored and edited entire books on this subject for healthcare professionals. These books have been continuously in print for 20 years. And the 5th edition of my textbook comes out later this year.
During the course of my research, I have found that virtually every folk medicine tradition includes natural and effective remedies for pain. But first, you need to know what type of pain you have. For example, some natural remedies work by reducing inflammation. Indeed, inflammation is a frequent source of pain. Other natural remedies work directly on the brain’s perception of pain.
This first natural remedy, called capsaicin, comes from South America. And it reduces your brain’s perception of pain. Derived from hot chili peppers, capsaicin is an effective, natural pain reliever most often applied topically over painful joints. But you can also take it internally.
Ginger is another natural pain-relief powerhouse. And it’s been used in Asia for centuries, mainly for gastro-intestinal disorders. But ginger can also help with joint and muscle pain because it helps control inflammation.
Feverfew is an ancient European folk remedy used throughout history for everything from stomachaches to toothaches. Today, research suggests it’s most useful for migraine headaches, especially when used together with the essential mineral magnesium.
You can also try these three ancient Indian remedies…
Turmeric can help alleviate pain by controlling inflammation. It’s especially effective for reducing joint pain when combined with Boswellia (frankincense) and Ashwagandha (winter cherry). When inflammation is under control, joint cartilage can repair itself naturally and reduce pain and restore function in your joints.
In addition, Native-American Indians traditionally used willow bark (the original source of aspirin) to relieve their aches and pains.
Other natural remedies on the horizon are ginseng for fibromyalgia. Kava kava for tension headaches and neuropathic pain. And valerian root for muscle cramps and spasms.
Of course, the most effective chronic pain management requires the development of specific clinical protocols. A clinical protocol gives doctors specific dosing guidelines, schedules and management plans. It also advises doctors about risk/benefit ratios. Unfortunately, these protocols often don’t exist for natural remedies. (Ironically, we do have protocols for iatrogenic conditions–ones caused by medical treatment.)
This lapse leaves responsible medical professionals with a potential quandary. How do they recommend a natural pain reliever when they don’t have a clinical protocol?
But alternatives do exist…
You can learn much more about your natural pain relief options in my special report called The Insider’s Guide to Pill-Free Pain Cures. Lifetime subscribers to my newsletter get this powerful report for free. You can also purchase it on my website here.