Expert Panel on Herbal Remedies for Pain Management

Side effects from pain management medications may limit their use in patients with comorbidities. An article in the Journal of Pain Research highlights the role of naturopathic remedies in pain management, particularly when traditional pharmacological treatments (NSAIDs, opioids, etc) may be limited due to potential adverse effects and misuse concerns. From expert panel discussions with multidisciplinary experts in naturopathy and naturopathic pain relief, Ayurvedic or Western medicine, community/clinical pharmacy, physiotherapy, and academics, findings included:

• Osteoarthritis: curcumin and fish oil are widely accepted by experts for managing pain, although they are not universally endorsed in OA guidelines
• Migraine: coenzyme Q10 and magnesium are beneficial as potential alternatives or adjuncts to conventional treatments
• Sleeping difficulties due to pain: Valeriana officinalis has a role

Panel consensus indicated a need for more robust clinical research to validate naturopathic treatments. Better guideline support and awareness are called for: otherwise, healthcare professionals may miss opportunities to suggest alternative therapies to patients in pain. “There is a growing recognition of naturopathic approaches in pain management, though the integration into mainstream practice may require stronger evidence and changes in treatment guidelines.”