Ditch The Painkillers

Popping pills for that sports injury or back pain? It’s time swap them for a natural alternative

- Eva Gizowska

Do you suffer from IBS, a bad back or crippling migraines? You’re not alone. Recent figures published in BMJ Open,  show around 43 per cent of Brits suffer from chronic pain (lasting more than three months).

And when you’re in discomfort, it’s easy to pop a painkiller. But should you rely on drugs? ‘There has been a 50 per cent increase in painkiller prescriptions over the past 15 years, and two thirds of these are for potentially addictive drugs,’ says GP, Dr Gill Jenkins. NHS figures show that last year alone, four million adults were prescribed opiate-based painkillers. Over-the-counter drugs have their risks too – paracetamol is the most common cause of liver failure in the developed world and linked to a 68 per cent increase in heart attack risk. So, what can you do? ‘Get to the root cause of the pain,’ says Dr Chidi Ngwaba, specialist in lifestyle medicine. Read on for the latest advice.

HEADACHES

More than 10 million Brits suffer from headaches and migraines. It’s tempting to swallow a painkiller but, according to NICE guidelines, these drugs can exacerbate the problem if taken regularly. Instead, pinpoint your headache triggers.

DO THIS: Keep a headache diary. Make a note of foods, weather or stresses that trigger symptoms. Avoiding cheese, red wine, citrus fruits and chocolate may help.

Use DIY acupressure for tension headaches. ‘To ease pain in the forehead and temples, massage a point on the palm side of the wrist, a bit below the crease,’ says acupuncturist Roger Dalet.

Try relaxation therapy. Yoga, meditation, massage, exercise and relaxation CDs can all help ease headache-inducing tension.

MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN