Pain is one of the leading causes for loss of productivity in any society. Pain can be distressing in the physical, emotional and psychological sense, to the extent that it can destabilize and drive a person to suicide. In order to overcome pain there is a growing demand for making opioids and morphine more readily available for pain management. It has also led to the demand for allowing death with dignity or euthanasia. Pain sufferers will seek pain relief anywhere. Therefore, pain medication, over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription based, is probably the highest selling group of medications in the world.

Pain itself is not an ailment. Rather it is the symptom of an ailment or underlying cause. Doctors use pain as an indicative symptom to understand what ails the patient. No matter what the diagnosis, the doctor needs to first provide pain relief before he can get to the root of the pain and attain patient compliance.

Natural pain relief is fast gaining in popularity as pain medication gains notoriety due to the after effects and damage it can do with long time use. Gastric ulcers are just one of the possible side effects of pain relief medication. Dependence on pain medication is also a factor that induces pain sufferers to seek alternatives in pan management. Some of the natural pain relief remedies include alternative medication like homeopathic medicines, natural herbs and alternative pain relief techniques.

Deep breathing is an age old natural pain relief remedy. It is used widely for managing labor pain during natural child birth. It requires the patient to learn to breathe in synchronization with the pain spasms, and develop self-control in riding out the painful period.

Meditation, prayer and the use of amulets are probably the oldest natural pain relief remedy. The patient is encouraged to pray and meditate to strengthen his own inner resources to overcome the pain. A variation involves a faith healer praying over the sufferer and administering potions at regular intervals.

Massage is a home remedy for natural pain relief. Those suffering headaches, back pain or other pains are massaged with healing anointments of oils and balms and also spices to take away the pain. Healing massages are followed by applying heat or cold to the affected part of the body. For example, hot stones on the back or cold compresses on the forehead.

Mind Sciences like Reiki are used as natural pain relief. Such therapies involve using the power of the mind to ‘touch’ the body part where the pain originates, and enable the ailing body part to release the negative energy that it is holding on to, thus resulting in relief from pain. Hypnosis employs the power of suggestion to banish pain.

Manipulation therapies include chiropractic techniques, reflexology and acupressure. The practitioner exerts pressure, manipulates the limbs and muscles in practiced ways that release tension and stress and other pain causing elements to train the body to become more pliable and thus let go off the pain.