Vitamins, Supplements, & Aromatherapy

Vitamins, Supplements, & Aromatherapy for Chronic Pain

Quite rightly, the first port of call for most people suffering chronic pain in any of its many guises are mainstream treatments and medications. However, many sufferers, particularly those whose chronic pain condition has become well-established and possibly resistant to therapy, turn for some symptomatic relief to certain vitamins, supplements, and other alternative methods such as aromatherapy. This is usually as an (add-on) therapy rather than as a primary treatment. Although viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism in some quarters, there is in fact scientific evidence supporting the benefit of these alternative methods.

Those set out below do not form a complete list and the benefit or otherwise of some is the matter of (in some instances considerable) scientific debate.

If you are considering taking any vitamins or supplements or the use of essential oils, you are strongly recommended to discuss their possible side effects to any medications you may be taking or otherwise with your doctor before using any to these other methods. This is particularly important as even seemingly harmless supplements or oils may in fact interfere negatively with the action of your prescription and/or other mainstream medication.

Vitamin B complex with NSAID drugs

Research has shown the potential role of vitamin B complex as an additional therapy for those taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen and Aspirin for low back pain.

Vitamin B complex is a cocktail of B vitamins defined as 1 mg of vitamin B12, 50 to 100 mg of vitamin B1 and 50 to 100 mg of vitamin B6. Its addition to an NSAID drug regime seems to intensify the pain-relieving effect of the NSAID(s), although the exact reason for this is the subject of some debate. 

Vitamin C following surgery

We have considered the role that vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, may play as a Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)-preventative following limb fractures or limb surgery. 

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

What is CRPS? CRPS is a chronic, debilitating pain disorder that usually affects a limb after an injury.  A CRPS patient will experience constant, unrelenting, pain along with a myriad of other symptoms. Many times, the disease will spread to other parts of the body as well. 

As a result of a considerable amount of research, it is now widely accepted among the medical profession that there is at least some correlation between taking vitamin C and the chance of developing CRPS following limb fractures or limb surgery

There are also conflicting studies as to whether vitamin C can help to reduce levels of pain in people suffering other chronic pain conditions such as arthritis.

Vitamin D for chronic pain

Whilst there is no conclusive evidence that taking vitamin D supplements can help to relieve chronic pain, it has been established that for reasons which are not fully understood, levels of vitamin D in people suffering a variety of chronic pain conditions are lower than in those not suffering chronic pain. For this reason, as maintaining levels of levels of vitamin D is vital to our health, supplements have been recommended to some people suffering chronic pain.

Magnesium for CRPS

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

What is CRPS? CRPS is a chronic, debilitating pain disorder that usually affects a limb after an injury.  A CRPS patient will experience constant, unrelenting, pain along with a myriad of other symptoms. Many times, the disease will spread to other parts of the body as well. 

Back in 2009, research published into the use of intravenous magnesium as a treatment for CRPS, concluded that “The results of this pilot study show significant benefits of intravenous magnesium treatment on complaints and quality of life in CRPS patients. Pain reported by patients was significantly decreased.”

For most participants in that study, the reported reduction in pain seemed startling, occurring within 20 to 30 minutes, with levels of pain remaining “significantly reduced” for up to 12 weeks. 

There are, however, numerous anecdotal accounts to be found online of people with CRPS embracing magnesium in a variety of forms – intravenous, supplement tablets, topically-applied oil and magnesium flakes for foot baths.

Of course, the scientists will say that any benefit experienced may be down to chance or even the placebo effect and they may well be correct. However, what magnesium does have in its favor is that, in whatever form it’s taken, not only is it relatively inexpensive but, if the recommended dose is not exceeded, it is reasonably safe.

Aromatherapy for Pain Relief

Aromatherapy refers to the medicinal or therapeutic use of essential oils absorbed through the skin or olfactory system. Recent literature has examined the effectiveness of aromatherapy in treating pain.

Essential oils, which are derived from plants, are used to treat illness as well as to enhance physical and psychological well-being.

The use of distilled plant materials, herbs, and spices to cure or treat illness date back to biblical times. Even though aromatherapy is commonly used and has been practiced for centuries, few high-quality empirical reviews have examined its effectiveness in reducing pain.