Do Natural Remedies Work for Treating Chronic Pain?
- Dr. Jason Winkelmann
- Sep 10
- 5 min read
Why People Turn to Natural Remedies for Chronic Pain
If you live with chronic pain, you’ve probably tried just about everything—painkillers, injections, maybe even surgery. And yet, the pain lingers. That’s why so many people turn to “natural remedies.” The idea of finding relief without side effects or dependency is appealing.
But here’s the truth: on their own, natural remedies like herbs and supplements will not end your chronic pain. But when used appropriately to treat the individual causes of your chronic pain, they can provide results you didn't think were possible.
At True Health Centers in Arvada, CO, we believe in a better way: using these remedies as part of a holistic, root-cause program that treats you physically, biochemically, and emotionally—at the same time. Let’s look at five of the most effective natural remedies for chronic pain, what science says about them, and how they fit into a bigger healing picture.
Fish Oil (Omega-3 Fatty Acids): Fighting Inflammation at the Source
What it is: Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA. These compounds are known for modulating the inflamamtory response throughout the body. They make it so that you produce appropriate amounts of acute inflammation and clear chronic inflammation more readily.
What the research says: Studies show that omega-3s can lower markers of inflammation, reduce joint stiffness, and improve pain levels in conditions like arthritis and autoimmune diseases. A review of more than 70 studies found that people with rheumatoid arthritis who took fish oil experienced less pain, improved mobility, and greater success with conventional therapies.
Fish oil supplementation is also associated with a reduction in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and may enhance response to conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
Where it helps:
Muscle soreness after injury
Fibromyalgia
Why it’s not enough alone: Fish oil lowers inflammation, but it doesn’t fix misaligned joints, muscle imbalances, or repressed emotional stress—all common causes of chronic pain.
How we use it at True Health: Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of all chronic pain conditions. We provide physician-quality fish oil supplements as part of a personalized plan, ensuring the right dose and purity for your unique biochemistry.
Magnesium: The Nervous System’s Calming Mineral
What it is: Magnesium is a mineral involved in over 300 biochemical processes, including muscle relaxation and nerve function. While it is found in a plethora of foods, upwards of 80% of Americans are deficient.
What the research says: Magnesium deficiency is linked to migraines, muscle cramps, and heightened pain sensitivity. Research shows magnesium can help prevent migraines, improve sleep, and reduce muscle tension.
Where it helps:
Migraines (especially with aura)
Fibromyalgia muscle pain
TMJ dysfunction
Nerve-related pain and muscle spasms
Why it’s not enough alone: Magnesium can calm nerves and relax tight muscles, but it doesn’t address emotional triggers or long-standing joint restrictions.
How we use it at True Health: Based on lab testing, we recommend the right type of magnesium (citrate, glycinate, or others) to optimize absorption and results.
Curcumin (Turmeric Extract): Nature’s Anti-Inflammatory
What it is: Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric, a spice used in traditional medicine for centuries.
What the research says: Clinical studies confirm that curcumin can reduce inflammation and pain in arthritis, improve mobility, and lower oxidative stress. A meta-analysis found curcumin to be as effective as NSAIDs for pain relief—without the gastrointestinal side effects.
Where it helps:
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Fibromyalgia
General chronic pain and stiffness
Post-injury inflammation
Why it’s not enough alone: Curcumin can soothe inflammation, but it doesn't stop the source of your inflammation.
How we use it at True Health: Once the sources of your inflammation are identified corrected, curcumin supplementation is used to clear the chronic inflammation built up in your body.
Glutathione: The Master Antioxidant
What it is: Glutathione is your body’s “master antioxidant,” responsible for detoxifying harmful substances, repairing cells, and controlling inflammation. An oversimplification of the human body and health is that bad things don't happen until the level of oxidative stress and free radical damage exceeds the amount of antioxidants in your body.
What the research says: People with chronic pain often show low glutathione levels, leading to higher oxidative stress. Boosting glutathione may help improve energy, reduce inflammation, and protect against nerve damage.
Where it helps:
Fibromyalgia fatigue and pain
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Neurological pain conditions
Toxin-related inflammation (e.g., mold exposure)
Why it’s not enough alone: Glutathione helps your body fight free radical damage and oxidative stress, but it does not prevent more from forming.
How we use it at True Health: We support glutathione production naturally with supplements and therapies that improve detoxification and cellular repair while decreasing the production of free radicals and oxidative stress.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Energy and Migraine Relief
What it is: Riboflavin is a B vitamin that plays a key role in energy production at the cellular level.
What the research says: Clinical trials show that taking 400 mg of riboflavin daily can reduce migraine frequency and severity. It works by improving mitochondrial function which provides more energy to heal and relax tight muscles and restricted blood vessels.
Where it helps:
Supporting cellular recovery
Why it’s not enough alone: Vitamin B2 improves energy and brain health, but it is only one nutrient involved in complex biochemical pathways.
How we use it at True Health: We combine riboflavin with other natural therapies, lifestyle strategies, and chiropractic care to improve blood flow and energy production.
Why Natural Remedies Alone Rarely End Chronic Pain
The problem with many “natural remedy” approaches is that they’re often used in isolation—like taking turmeric capsules or fish oil without addressing the bigger picture.
Chronic pain isn’t caused by just one thing. It’s physical (joints, muscles, posture), biochemical (inflammation, nutrient deficiencies), and emotional (stress, trauma, nervous system imbalances). Unless you treat all three at the same time, relief won’t last.
That’s why at True Health Centers, we don’t just hand out supplements. We use advanced lab testing, chiropractic care, naturopathic medicine, and mind-body counseling—alongside physician-quality natural remedies—to build a plan as unique as you are.
A Quick Note on Supplement Quality and Efficacy
Supplements provide your body with the same nutirents found in whole foods. While we prefer to get our nutirents from food, this is often noit enough. On top of our soild being depleted of nutrients, eatting right is difficult. This is where we reach for supplements; literally, to supplement our diet and fill in the gaps.
Not all supplements are created equally. Manufacturing processes can degrade nutirent quantities or introduce impurities that can be harmful to your health. Vitamins and minerals also come in many different forms. They are each absorbed differently and do different things in your body.
We don't take supplements just to take them; we take them to improve our health. Cheap supplements found in a vitamin shop or your natural foods store are less effective and can cause harm compared to the physician quality supplements we prescribe. Getting your supplements from a trusted source ensures they are third party tested for purity and efficacy.
Take the Next Step Toward Relief
If you’ve tried medications, injections, or even supplements on your own and are still hurting, the missing link is a comprehensive approach.
At True Health Centers, our Chronic Pain Program is all-inclusive, personalized, and natural—combining the best of modern testing with natural remedies and hands-on care.
New patients receive a free phone consultation to see if our program is right for you.
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