How I Manage My Pain Naturally & Honestly
From Someone Who’s Still in the Fight
There are a million tips, tricks, and home remedies floating around out there when it comes to pain, inflammation, and overall health. Have I tried every single one? No. But I’ve tried a lot. I want to be upfront and say this: while I’ve leaned hard into natural remedies and lifestyle changes, I’ve also had the support of a medical doctor and prescription medications to help get me to where I am now.
My goal has always been to live without meds, and while I’m not quite there yet, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and that’s enough to keep me going.
My Top 3 Natural Pain-Relief Go-To’s
1. Ginger & Turmeric
Both of these are well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that studies have shown to help reduce inflammation in joints and muscles. Ginger, similarly, contains gingerol another natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. When I can, I add both to my food. But honestly, I take it a step further.
Beyond curcumin, turmeric contains compounds called turmerones that support brain health and improve absorption of nutrients. Similarly, ginger’s anti-inflammatory power isn’t just from gingerols it also has shogaols, which have strong antioxidant effects that help protect cells from damage. Together, these spices work on multiple levels to support long-term wellness beyond just reducing inflammation.
I actually bought a little contraption so I could make my own capsules at home. Why? Because I wanted to know exactly what I was putting in my body no fillers, no sketchy ingredients. I take four 100mg turmeric capsules and two ginger capsules per day.
Other anti-inflammatory supplements I take regularly:
Amla powder (Indian gooseberry): rich in vitamin C and great for inflammation, immunity, and gut health
Black cumin seed (Nigella sativa): another powerful anti-inflammatory that’s been used for centuries in holistic medicine
Now, I won’t sugarcoat it: making your own supplements is tedious. It’s not fun or quick. But once a month, I put on a binge-worthy show and just crank it out. The payoff is worth it clean supplements and it’s cheaper than buying them from most major brands.
2. Ice. Yes, Really Just Ice.
Icing joints during a flare reduces inflammation, eases stiffness, and provides temporary relief without side effects especially helpful when medication alone isn’t enough.
The simplest things sometimes make the biggest difference. When my RA flares up especially in my hands and wrists the heat and swelling get intense. My first move is always cold. That means ice packs, ice baths, cold plunges (which are not as easy or Instagram-glam as they look), and my absolute favorite: ice mittens.
Seriously, if you deal with arthritis or joint inflammation in your hands, get yourself a pair(https://a.co/d/hmZqvPz). I wish I could find a handmade option to share, but these are worth every penny. I’ve worn them around my house countless times when flares hit, and they’ve been a total game-changer for relief and mobility.
3. Movement & Nutrition
This might not be a “home remedy,” but it’s part of the equation and it’s one people often overlook while chasing the next miracle fix. I spent five years thinking I could keep smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, eating garbage, and still get better. Spoiler alert: that’s not how healing works.
Now, I work out lightly six days a week. I eat clean 90% of the time (because, hey, I’m human). And I support my joints by building muscle around them slowly and safely. Even with my limitations, consistency is key.
You can take all the turmeric and ginger in the world, but if your habits are hurting you, those remedies won’t carry you very far. You have to work for your health. That’s just the truth.
Final Thoughts
Everyone’s journey looks different. What works for me might not work for you, and vice versa. But what I can tell you is: keep trying. Keep learning. Keep showing up for yourself.
Pain isn’t living. And if you’re living in pain, you deserve to find relief whether that’s through herbs, ice packs, movement, food, or medicine. Or maybe all of it, like me.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep going.
