Pain - Supplements

Pain can range from dull to sharp, from mild to intense. No matter how you describe it, you want it to go away—and fast. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

Rub on topical capsaicin
Block pain signals by applying an ointment that contains capsaicin, a substance found in cayenne peppers, to the painful area four times a day
Get moving
Take part in a prescribed exercise program to boost the production of your body’s natural painkillers
Give acupuncture a try
See a qualified practitioner for treatments that activate pain-killing pathways
Take time for a checkup
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider to find out if your pain is being caused by a treatable condition

Also indexed as:

aches,
chronic pain,
pain

About this treatment

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Cayenne	Apply 0.025 to 0.075% capsaicin ointment four times per day over painful areas	Capsaicin, an extract of cayenne pepper, appears to work by blocking pain signals and may ease many types of chronic pain when applied regularly to the skin.
Cayenne Apply 0.025 to 0.075% capsaicin ointment four times per day over painful areas Capsaicin is an extract of cayenne pepper that may ease many types of chronic pain when applied regularly to the skin. In animal studies, capsaicin was consistently effective at reducing pain when given by mouth, by injection, or when applied topically.²² ^{, 23} A controlled trial in humans found that application of a solution of capsaicin (0.075%) decreased sensitivity of skin to all noxious stimuli.²⁴ One review article deemed the research on capsaicin’s pain-relieving properties “inconclusive.”²⁵ However, in several uncontrolled and at least five controlled clinical trials, capsaicin has been consistently shown to decrease the pain of many disorders, including trigeminal neuralgia, shingles, diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis, and cluster headaches.²⁶ ^{, 27} ^{, 28} ^{, 29} ^{, 30} For treatment of chronic pain, capsaicin ointment or cream (standardized to 0.025 to 0.075% capsaicin) is typically applied to the painful area four times per day.³¹ It is common to experience stinging and burning at the site of application, especially for the first week of treatment; avoid getting it in the eyes, mouth, or open sores. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Cayenne Topical (Postherpetic Neuralgia)	Apply 0.025 to 0.075% capsaicin ointment four times per day over painful areas	A component of cayenne pepper known as capsaicin can be applied as a cream or ointment to soothe the pain of postherpetic neuralgia.
Cayenne Topical Apply 0.025 to 0.075% capsaicin ointment four times per day over painful areas The hot component of cayenne pepper, known as capsaicin, is used to relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia. In a double-blind trial, a cream containing 0.075% capsaicin, applied three to four times per day to the painful area, greatly reduced pain.³² In another study, a preparation containing a lower concentration of capsaicin (0.025%) was also effective.³³ Two or more weeks of treatment may be required to get the full benefit of the cream. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
L-Tryptophan	2 to 4 grams per day	Double-blind research has also shown that oral L-tryptophan can increase tolerance to acute pain.
L-Tryptophan 2 to 4 grams per day Other amino acids may be beneficial in reducing pain. Animal research has shown that the brain chemical serotonin is involved in pain perception,³⁴ and some,³⁵ ^{, 36} though not all,³⁷ preliminary human studies have reported reduced pain sensitivity when people took 2.0 to 2.75 grams per day of L-tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin. In a double-blind study, patients recovering from gallbladder surgery reported less pain when they were given L-tryptophan intravenously in the amount of 7.5 to 15 mg per 2.2 pounds body weight.³⁸ Double-blind research has also shown that oral L-tryptophan can increase tolerance to acute pain when taken in amounts of at least 2 grams per day.³⁹ ^{, 40} Two double-blind trials found that 3 to 4 grams per day of L-tryptophan along with a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet reduced pain in people with chronic pain.⁴¹ ^{, 42} However, one controlled study did not find L-tryptophan (50 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day) helpful for people with chronic pain around the temporomandibular joint.⁴³ No research has been published investigating the pain control potential of 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), another serotonin precursor. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Corydalis	Take an amount supplying 75 mg per day of tetrahydropalmatine (THP)	Preliminary reports indicate that THP (an alkaloid from the plant corydalis) may be effective in reducing nerve pain.
Corydalis Take an amount supplying 75 mg per day of tetrahydropalmatine (THP) Preliminary reports from Chinese researchers also note that 75 mg per day of THP (an alkaloid from the plant corydalis) was effective in reducing nerve pain in 78% of those tested.⁴⁴ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Phenylalanine	1,500 mg daily	D-phenylalanine (DPA) decreases pain by blocking the enzymes that break down the body’s natural painkillers. Clinical studies suggest DPA may inhibit some types of chronic pain.
Phenylalanine 1,500 mg daily Certain amino acids have been found to raise pain thresholds and increase tolerance to pain. One of these, a synthetic amino acid called D-phenylalanine (DPA), decreases pain by blocking the enzymes that break down endorphins and enkephalins, the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals.⁴⁵ ^{, 46} DPA may also produce pain relief by other mechanisms, which are not well understood.⁴⁷ In animal studies, DPA decreased chronic pain within 15 minutes of administration and the effects lasted up to six days.⁴⁸ It also decreased responses to acute pain. These findings have been independently verified in at least five other studies.⁴⁹ ^{, 50} Clinical studies on humans suggest DPA may inhibit some types of chronic pain, but it has little effect on most types of acute pain.⁵¹ ^{, 52} Most human research has tested the pain-relieving effects of 750 to 1,000 mg per day of DPA taken for several weeks of continuous or intermittent use. The results of this research have been mixed, with some trials reporting efficacy,⁵³ ^{, 54} ^{, 55} others reporting no difference from placebo,⁵⁶ and some reporting equivocal results.⁵⁷ It appears that DPA may only work for some people, but a trial period of supplementation seems worthwhile for many types of chronic pain until more is known. If DPA is not available, a related product, D,L-phenylalanine (DLPA), may be substituted at amounts of 1,500 to 2,000 mg per day. As early as 1981, preliminary human research showed that DPA made the pain-inhibiting effects of acupuncture stronger.⁵⁸ One controlled animal study⁵⁹ and two controlled trials in humans⁶⁰ ^{, 61} showed that DPA taken the day before acupuncture increased the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing both acute dental and chronic low back pain. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
American Scullcap	Refer to label instructions	American skullcap has been historically used to relieve pain.
American Scullcap Other herbs that have been historically used to relieve pain (although there are no modern scientific studies yet available) include valerian, passion flower, American scullcap, Piscidia erythrina, and crampbark (Viburnum opulus). What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Jamaica Dogwood	Refer to label instructions	Piscidia erythrina has been historically used to relieve pain.
Jamaica Dogwood Other herbs that have been historically used to relieve pain (although there are no modern scientific studies yet available) include valerian, passion flower, American scullcap, Piscidia erythrina, and crampbark (Viburnum opulus).

Supplement	Amount	Why
Passion Flower	Refer to label instructions	Passion flower has been historically used to relieve pain.
Passion Flower Other herbs that have been historically used to relieve pain (although there are no modern scientific studies yet available) include valerian, passion flower, American scullcap, Piscidia erythrina, and crampbark (Viburnum opulus). What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Phyllanthus	Refer to label instructions	Extracts of phyllanthus plants have shown a marked ability to decrease pain, apparently by decreasing inflammation. With liver-protective properties, they may be safer than drugs such as acetaminophen, which has toxicity to the liver.
Phyllanthus In animal research, alcohol/water extracts of plants from the genus phyllanthus (25 to 200 mg per 2.2 pounds body weight) have shown a marked ability to decrease pain.⁶² This family includes the plants Phyllanthus urinaria, P. caroliniensis, P. amarus, and P. niruri. Like aspirin, phyllanthus extracts appear to reduce pain by decreasing inflammation.⁶³ Although they are six to seven times more potent than aspirin or acetaminophen⁶⁴ in test tube studies, extracts of these plants also demonstrate liver-protective properties,⁶⁵ suggesting they may be safer than drugs such as acetaminophen, which has well-documented toxicity to the liver. The usefulness of phyllanthus extracts for treating pain in humans is unknown. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Valerian	Refer to label instructions	Valerian has been historically used to relieve pain.
Valerian Other herbs that have been historically used to relieve pain (although there are no modern scientific studies yet available) include valerian, passion flower, American scullcap, Piscidia erythrina, and crampbark (Viburnum opulus). What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Viburnum opulus	Refer to label instructions	Crampbark has been historically used to relieve pain.
Vitamin B12	Refer to label instructions	Vitamin B12 appears to have pain-killing properties. In people with vertebral pain syndromes, injections of massive amounts of vitamin B12 have reportedly relieved pain.
Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 has exhibited pain-killing properties in animal studies.⁶⁶ In humans with vertebral pain syndromes, injections of massive amounts of vitamin B12 (5,000 to 10,000 mcg per day) have reportedly provided pain relief.⁶⁷ Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of this treatment. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
White Willow	Refer to label instructions	Willow bark has been used for centuries to decrease pain and inflammation. It appears to work by interfering with the process of inflammation and the pain-producing nerves in the spinal cord.
White Willow As early as 1763, use of willow bark to decrease pain and inflammation was reported.⁶⁸ Its constituents are chemically related to aspirin. These constituents may decrease pain by two methods: by interfering with the process of inflammation, and by interfering with pain-producing nerves in the spinal cord.⁶⁹ No human studies have investigated the pain-relieving potential of willow bark, and questions have been raised as to the actual absorption of willow bark’s pain-relieving constituents.⁷⁰ The potential pain-reducing action of willow is typically slower than that of aspirin. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

References

Last Review: 05-11-2011

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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