🌿 Natural Relief for Pain and Inflammation: My Favorite Ways to Calm the Body and Heal Naturally
- Natalie McGovern
- Oct 21
- 9 min read
Let’s be real, pain can feel like that annoying sidekick you never invited. Sometimes she’s quiet; other times she’s the noisy backseat driver you wish you could leave on the side of the road. I’ve had my fair share of those days. Between Lyme Disease, Hypothyroidism, food sensitivities and a long battle with parasites, pain and inflammation have been my unwelcome travel companions more times than I can count.
And let’s not even get started on how chronic inflammation has messed with my mind! I battled mental illness for years because my body was in a constant state of inflammation. But we’ll save that story for another blog.
For years, I tried to figure out why my body hurt so much, even when I was “doing everything right.” It wasn’t until I began to understand how inflammation drives pain that things started to make sense.
See, inflammation isn’t always the bad guy. It’s your body’s way of saying, “Hey, something’s not right.” Maybe it’s a food your body doesn’t like, a chemical you’re exposed to, or the constant stress that keeps you stuck in fight-or-flight mode instead of rest-and-heal mode. When that inflammation signal never turns off, your body stays inflamed. That’s when pain moves in and makes herself at home.
If you’re tired of hurting and ready to take back control, I get it. Below are some of my favorite holistic tools to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and support your body’s natural healing process.
As you go through the next section, you’ll see that some remedies have more details or links than others. That’s simply because I’ve added extra insight or resources where I felt they might help you explore that remedy further if it feels right for you.
🌎 Grounding for Pain and Inflammation Relief
There’s something incredibly healing about getting your bare feet on the earth. Grounding helps calm the nervous system and reduce pain and inflammation. The best part is it’s free, simple, and surprisingly effective. I make it a point to touch grass regularly (and I highly recommend you do too!). Check out my blog on grounding here.
☀️ Sunshine to Reduce Inflammation and Ease Pain
Early morning sunlight is one of the best natural medicines for your body. No sunglasses, no contacts, and as much skin as you can safely expose. This helps regulate your circadian rhythm, boost vitamin D, and prepare your skin for the stronger afternoon rays.
I just love the way I feel when I’m outside in the sunshine. It’s one of the many reasons I made Arizona my home! Sunshine helps your body naturally reduce inflammation and pain while improving your mood and energy levels. You can read more on the benefits of sunshine in my blog on grounding linked above.
⏰ Intermittent Fasting for Chronic Pain and Inflammation
Giving your body breaks from constant digestion allows it to shift into healing mode. Intermittent fasting supports the body’s natural detoxification processes, balances blood sugar, and promotes cellular repair through autophagy. These changes can reduce chronic inflammation and even relieve pain.
If you’ve struggled with inflammation-related issues like joint pain, fatigue, or brain fog, fasting can be a powerful reset. I’ve written a full blog on intermittent fasting if you want to dive deeper into how to do it safely and effectively. Click here to read the blog.
💊 MSM for Pain, Inflammation, and Muscle Recovery
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is one of my favorite natural tools for supporting joint health, reducing inflammation, and speeding up muscle and tissue repair. This organic sulfur compound helps strengthen connective tissue, ease stiffness, and promotes flexibility, making it especially helpful for anyone struggling with joint pain or chronic inflammation. MSM also supports collagen production, which helps your body rebuild and heal at the cellular level.
I’ve personally noticed less muscle soreness and faster recovery after using MSM consistently. It’s a gentle yet powerful way to help your body heal naturally from pain and inflammation. Click here to buy on Prime.
⚡ Magnesium for Muscle Pain, Inflammation, and Better Sleep
Magnesium is often called the “miracle mineral” and for good reason. Almost all of us are magnesium deficient today because our soil and foods no longer contain the same mineral levels they once did. This deficiency can show up as muscle cramps, spasms, fatigue, irritability, and even trouble sleeping. Magnesium helps relax tight muscles, calm the nervous system, and reduce inflammation throughout the body.
For best results, I recommend combining oral magnesium (like a tri-magnesium blend that includes glycinate, malate, and taurate) with topical magnesium, such as magnesium oil or lotion. This dual approach supports both internal balance and localized muscle relief.
If you already deal with IBS or loose stools, avoid magnesium citrate, it can make things worse! When you find the right form and dose for your body, magnesium can be a total game-changer for reducing pain, inflammation, and muscle tension while improving your sleep and recovery. Get my favorite magnesium lotion here. My favorite tri magnesium supplements without citrate is here. With citrate here.
🛁 Epsom Salt Baths with Essential Oils for Pain and Inflammation Relief
Few things feel as soothing as a warm Epsom salt bath after a long day. Epsom salts are rich in magnesium sulfate, which helps relax muscles, draw out toxins, and reduce inflammation. Adding essential oils like lavender for relaxation, peppermint for cooling sore muscles, or frankincense for overall healing can make your bath even more therapeutic.
Regular Epsom salt baths are an easy, affordable, and deeply relaxing way to support your body’s detox pathways, ease pain and inflammation, and calm both your body and mind. I love to make this part of my evening routine. It’s like giving your body permission to fully unwind and heal.
❄️ Cold Plunging for Inflammation and Pain Relief
Cold therapy can reduce inflammation, increase circulation, and help with pain relief. It’s definitely a “mind-over-matter” experience, but the benefits are real.
Once you start to feel how much cold plunging reduces inflammation and boosts your energy, it can be addicting! You’ll notice pain relief, mental clarity, and a “feel-good” calm that lasts for hours afterward.
I love Arizona winters because you can do cold plunging right in our pools! Personally, I prefer longer plunges at slightly warmer temperatures.
Dr. Alexis Cowan, who teaches about using both sunlight and cold exposure for healing, explains that recent studies show greater long-term benefits for pain and inflammation when plunging in water temperatures around the 50s or 60s for extended periods, compared to super-cold plunges done for just a few minutes. It’s all about finding that balance where your body feels challenged but not shocked, that’s where the real healing happens.
🌿 Castor Oil Packs to Soothe Pain and Inflammation
Castor oil packs are a gentle yet powerful way to support detoxification and reduce inflammation. They help stimulate lymph flow, ease cramps, and calm sore muscles or joints.
I love to use castor oil packs on my abdomen to reduce inflammation and help heal leaky gut, one of the hidden causes of chronic pain and inflammation.
When choosing a castor oil for pain and inflammation relief, quality really matters. Look for cold-pressed or expeller-pressed varieties. This method preserves the oil’s natural fatty acids (especially ricinoleic acid), which are key to its anti-inflammatory benefits. Choose unrefined or minimally processed castor oil to avoid chemical residues and keep all those active healing compounds intact. Click here to buy on Prime.
It’s also best to use a hexane-free, chemical-free option, especially if you plan to apply it directly to your skin. Always make sure the oil is pure and free of additives or contaminants, since your skin absorbs what you put on it. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin or open areas. Finally, check the packaging. Dark glass or other non-reactive containers help protect the oil from oxidation and ensure it stays potent and effective longer.
💧 Lymphatic Work for Detox, Pain, and Inflammation Relief
Your lymphatic system is like your body’s built-in drainage network. It helps move waste, toxins, and excess fluid out so your body can stay balanced and healthy. When it gets sluggish, toxins build up, inflammation increases, and pain tends to flare. Supporting your lymph flow is one of the most effective ways to reduce inflammation and help your body detox naturally.
There are so many simple (and even enjoyable!) ways to activate your lymphatic system. Rebounding on a mini-trampoline is one of my favorites. The gentle up-and-down motion pumps lymph fluid through the body and helps clear waste. Vibration plates work similarly by stimulating your muscles and tissues to encourage lymph circulation, while also supporting bone density and metabolism. Click here to buy your vibration plate on Prime today. Click here to purchase your rebounder.
For deeper lymphatic support, Normatec compression therapy is incredible. It uses gentle, pulsed compression to rhythmically squeeze and release your legs, arms, or hips. It’s almost like a massage that helps pump lymph fluid back toward your heart. This can reduce swelling, relieve pain, and speed up recovery after workouts or flare-ups. Click here to buy your Normatec compression boots on Prime. Click here to buy the boots and pelvis. Click here to buy the full set of arms, legs and pelvis.
No matter which method you choose, keeping your lymphatic system flowing is one of the best ways to naturally calm inflammation, relieve pain, and boost your body’s ability to heal.
🌸 Essential Oils for Pain and Inflammation
Certain essential oils can naturally ease inflammation and soothe pain. I love using blends with frankincense, copaiba, peppermint, and lavender for pain and relaxation. Making your own blends can be both fun and rewarding.
Essential oils helped me get out of bed in the morning when I was struggling with chronic pain. When possible, reach for oils instead of over-the-counter pain medications. Your body and liver will thank you. I like DoTERRA and have some of my favorite oils listed on my Amazon Favorites page here.
💎 DMSO for Natural Pain Relief and Inflammation Support
DMSO has been one of my go-to tools for chronic pain relief. It helps deliver healing compounds deeper into tissues and reduce inflammation where it starts. The book Healing with DMSO by Amandha Vollmer is a wonderful resource if you want to learn how to use it safely. You can buy your DMSO using this link.
📵 Reducing Blue Light to Lower Inflammation
Too much blue light from screens can throw off your hormones, disrupt sleep, and increase inflammation. Try amber glasses or blue-light blockers at night. Better yet, unplug and soak in natural light instead. Reducing blue light exposure supports your body’s ability to rest, repair, and reduce inflammation naturally. Get your amber glasses on Prime.
💡 Cold Laser Therapy for Pain and Inflammation
Cold laser therapy helps stimulate healing at the cellular level and supports pain management. It’s great for joint pain, muscle soreness, and inflammation and it’s one of my favorite natural wellness tools. Check out my page on cold laser therapy here.
🔴 Red Light Therapy for Healing and Pain Reduction
Red light therapy supports cellular repair, boosts collagen, and reduces inflammation. I use it to relieve pain, increase energy, and support my overall healing routine.
🌈 Photon Light Therapy for Chronic Pain and Inflammation
Photon therapy helps balance the body’s energy and calm inflammation. I found it especially helpful during flare-ups when my pain was at its worst. I still use my photon machine daily. It’s been a game changer. Check out my page on photon light therapy here.
🔥 Sauna & Far Infrared for Detox and Pain Relief
Sweating is one of the body’s best detox methods. Infrared saunas help the body release toxins, reduce inflammation, and ease muscle and joint pain. I have a far infrared sauna at home that works great. It’s compact, effective, and easy to store. This is the home sauna I am currently using on Prime.
💦 Detox Foot Baths for Inflammation and Pain
Toxins can build up and worsen inflammation over time. Detox foot baths are a simple and relaxing way to support cleansing and ease pain naturally. I use the foot bath feature on my TrueRife machine regularly. It makes a huge difference in my inflammation levels.
🎶 Rife Therapy for Chronic Pain and Inflammation
Rife frequencies help balance the body’s energy, support detox, and relieve pain. My Rife machine has helped tremendously with my Lyme symptoms and chronic inflammation. It still amazes me how much better I feel and feel so blessed to have my own machine.
If you’re curious about Rife therapy or want guidance purchasing your own machine, feel free to reach out. I’ve done my research and would love to walk you through the process.
🦴 Chiropractic Care for Pain and Inflammation
Regular chiropractic care keeps my nervous system aligned, supports detox, and relieves tension that can trigger inflammation and pain. I’ve found that consistent adjustments help my body stay balanced and less reactive. Check out my blog on BioPhysics Chiropractic care here.
💫 Final Thoughts on Healing Pain and Inflammation Naturally
Pain and inflammation aren’t something we have to “just live with.” When we start listening to what our body is trying to tell us, instead of silencing it, real healing begins.
Each of these natural methods has helped me lower inflammation, reduce pain, and feel more like myself again. If pain has been your constant companion too, start small. Try one or two of these and see how your body responds. Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but every step toward balance makes a difference.
Ready to uncover what’s really behind your pain and inflammation? Schedule a discovery call with me today to learn how personalized, natural wellness support can help you heal from the inside out. I’d be honored to walk alongside you on your path to better health.
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