Did you know there are complementary medicines which may help treat pain and also be included as part of a treatment regime? Learn more about our range of products which may help relieve pain from the three most common causes.
Headaches & migraine
Most people experience headaches, the severity of which can vary from mild to intense pain. There are many different types of headache. These are some of the symptoms associated with some common types.
Chronic daily headaches are characterised by a diffused, dull pain all over the head and accompanied by a feeling of being unwell.
Tension-type headaches are distinguished by a dull, steady pain associated with tightness of the scalp or neck. The pain remains constant.
Allergy headaches are associated with congestion in the area behind the face. They are often accompanied by a runny nose and sore eyes of headache.
Migraine headaches are characterized by severe, one-sided throbbing pain, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, cold hands, sensitivity to sound, light and smells. They may last from part of a day to three or four days. Onset usually occurs in childhood, teens and 20s, usually through to 40s/50s, but may last into 60s and beyond.
Complementary medicines for migraine headache
Complementary medicine may feature as part of an integrated management plan involving migraines. Ingredients including feverfew, magnesium and riboflavin may assist in the management of migraine with regular use.
Blackmores REME-D for Migraine- Headache contains feverfew and B vitamins which may assist in reducing the frequency of migraine-headache attacks with regular use. It also may reduce symptoms (such as nausea and vomiting) associated with migraine with regular use while supporting a healthy nervous system.
Back pain
Back pain is very common with 1 in 6 Australians having back pain each year, affecting people of mostly working ages.
Back pain usually feels like an ache, tension or stiffness in the back and while it generally improves in a few days, or sometimes weeks, back pain may continue for a long period. If you are concerned about lingering pain, talk to your healthcare professional.
Several things may cause back pain including a sudden movement, fall or medical condition. The pain is usually related to how the bones, disc tendons, muscles and ligaments work together.
Complementary medicine and back pain management
Complementary medicine feature as part of an integrated management plan for back pain relief that includes exercise, massage and medications as following the advice from your healthcare professional. Ingredients such as comfrey extract can relieve acute upper and lower back pain and improve mobility when applied to the affected area.
Blackmores Flexagil Pain Relief Cream® is a clinically trialled topical cream which relieves back pain, and swelling and tenderness associated with acute sporting injuries. Containing comfrey extract which is an effective treatment alternative to topical diclofenac*.
Joint pain associated with mild osteoarthritis or mild gout
Osteoarthritis is a medical condition that damages the body’s joints, causing discomfort and pain. It can range from mild to severe, and can affect people of all ages. Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are ways to manage the condition.
Mild osteoarthritis is a common chronic joint disease and is characteristised by mild inflammation of the tissues in and around the joints, damage to cartilage (the strong, smooth surface that lines the bones and allows joints to move easily and without friction) and bony growths that develop around the edge of the joints.
Osteoarthritis mostly occurs in the knees, hips and small joints of the hands and toes. However, almost any joint can be affected.
Complementary medicine for joint pain associated with mild osteoarthritis or mild gout
Complementary medicine can feature as part of an integrated management plan for joint pain associated with mild osteoarthritis and mild gout, which includes exercise, massage and medications as following the advice from your healthcare professional.
Ingredients including glucosamine may offer joint pain relief associated with osteoarthritis. It also may help increase joint flexibility and mobility and reduce joint stiffness associated with osteoarthritis.
Curcumin and Boswellia are both anti-Inflammatory and may help reduce joint pain associated with mild osteoarthritis.
Green Lipped Mussel Oil may offer symptomatic relief from the pain of osteoarthritis with its anti-inflammatory properties.
Comfrey extract can relieve acute upper and lower back pain and improve mobility when applied to the affected area.
Celery seed is traditionally used in Western herbal medicine for the temporary relief of the symptoms of mild arthritis, rheumatism and mild gout. The use of celery seed originates from a traditional naturopathic perspective that conditions such as mild arthritis are usually the result of accumulation of waste substances in the body.
Blackmores Glucosamine Sulfate 1500 One-A-Day contains a scientifically validated form of glucosamine sodium chloride complex.
It may relieve joint pain caused by osteoarthritis, protect joint cartilage and may increase joint mobility associated with osteoarthritis.
In addition, Blackmores Glucosamine Sulfate 1500 One-A-Day may help support healthy joint function through maintenance of cartilage.
Blackmores Joint Formula Advanced contains glucosamine sulfate with chondroitin, manganese and boron.
It may relieve joint pain caused by osteoarthritis, protect joint cartilage and may increase joint mobility associated with osteoarthritis.
In addition, Blackmores Joint Formula Advanced tablets may assist in the manufacture of the structural components of cartilage while helping to protect cartilage and help maintain healthy joint function.
Blackmores Lyprinol Double contains a unique patented marine lipid extract of green lipped mussel.
It provides temporary relief of osteoarthritic pain.
Blackmores Curcumin Active + Boswellia is a dual action formula which contains LongVida®, a bioavailable form of curcumin (the active component in turmeric) to aid absorption and boswellia, a plant based anti-inflammatory.
It may help relieve inflammation, reduce joint stiffness and joint pain associated with mild osteoarthritis. It can be taken every day and in conjunction with glucosamine and chondroitin.
Blackmores Celery 3000 contains celery seed oil and may help manage the symptoms of mild arthritis and gout.
Blackmores Celery 3000 may assist in the elimination of this waste as it acts as a mild diuretic.
Blackmores Flexagil® is a clinically trialled topical cream which provides relief of pain, swelling, stiffness and restricted joint mobility associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. The comfrey extract is an effective treatment alternative to topical diclofenac*.
Talk to your doctor if you are concerned or have any issues. See a healthcare professional for a medical review and be sure to let your pharmacist know of all medications including complementary medicines you are taking.
Want personalised advice on how complementary medicines may help in pain management? Ask a Blackmores naturopath
Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. Supplements may only be of assistance if dietary intake is inadequate.
*Compared to 1% w/w of diclofenac.
References:
Headaches Australia 2018, Headache Types, Headache Australia – A Division of the Brain Foundation Website, viewed 23rd January 2018
Sun-Edelstein, Christina MD*; Mauskop, Alexander MD, 2009 ‘Foods and Supplements in the Management of Migraine Headaches’, The Clinical Journal of Pain: June 2009 - Volume 25 - Issue 5 - p 446-452.
Health Direct Channel, 2018, Back Pain, Health Direct Australian Government Website, viewed 25th January 2018
Grube, B., Grunwald, J., Krug, L. & Staiger, C; 2007, ‘Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti office. Radix) extract ointment in the treatment of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee: Results of a double-blind, randomised, bicenter, placebo-controlled trial’. Phytomedicine: 2007;14:2- 10. Financial sponsor: Merck Selbstmedikation GmbH
Health Direct Channel, 2018, Arthritis, Health Direct Australian Government Website, viewed 25th January 2018
Health Direct Channel, 2018, Osteoarthritis, Health Direct Australian Government Website, viewed 25th January 2018
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