How To Beat Aches & Pains Naturally

Life is full of moments of discomfort — colds, cramps, allergies — the list goes on and on. But a lot of us don't necessarily want to reach for harsh over-the-counter or prescription-based medicines right off the bat, and instead prefer to go with natural home remedies for aches and pains if we can.

And while a lot of us prefer the idea of opting for natural, less-invasive treatment options when possible, that doesn't mean figuring out which natural remedies to use is always easy. Thanks to this special place called the Internet, a ton of information about different natural hacks and treatments is out there — some good, and some bad — and it can be really hard to figure out what's legit and what won't really help at all (or, even worse, what actively might make things worse).

To help get to the bottom of it, I reached out over e-mail to Sarrah Hallock, Holistic Nutritionist and Health Coach and founder of Cinnamon Health and asked her my most pressing questions about treating aches and pains naturally. If you're interested in approaching your aches and pains in a more natural way, but just aren't sure where to start, here are the five tips rom Hallock herself.

1. Get Your Magnesium

Nature Made High Potency Magnesium, $7.19, Jet.com

"I have seen particularly great results from simply increasing the amount of magnesium in your diet," Hallock says. "Up to half of Americans are deficient in magnesium and don’t know it, yet this critical mineral is responsible for over 300 chemical reactions in the body!" She notes that magnesium can be an "antidote to stress, eliminate migraines, alleviate constipation, improve your sleep, and is considered the most powerful relaxation mineral available." So consider incorporating more magnesium-rich foods into your diet, (like "kelp, avocado, dates, almonds, cashews, figs, tofu, brown rice, collard greens, and shrimp") or take a magnesium supplement.

2. Eat To Control Cramps

Hallock says that PMS affects almost 75 percent of women, and occurs because of monthly hormonal imbalances. However, she also notes that there are ways to prevent discomfort, specifically through what we eat. "Sugars, carbs, dairy, caffeine and alcohol all contribute to hormone imbalance. Cleaning up our diet the week before your period is a big contributor to eliminating PMS symptoms." So if you're severely affected by symptoms of PMS, try mapping out when you expect to get your next period and try adjusting what you eat for the week before. You just may reap big benefits — totally medicine free.

3. Keep Your Blood Sugar Stable

This is another tip that helps with PMS but that can also make you feel good all throughout the month. Hallock specifically recommends eating protein and fats at breakfast. "Think eggs, nut butter, avocado or protein shake," she says.

4. Exercise

And in her final PMS-related tip (but let's be real, that's when a ton of us are most likely to reach for more heavy-duty pain relievers), Hallock reminds us to simply get moving. "Although exercise sometimes feels like the last thing we want to do when we have PMS, exercise helps with both the emotional and physical symptoms. So lace up those sneaks and get moving! You'll feel better once you do!" Hallock says.

5. Find The Right Health Care Provider

This is perhaps Hallock's most important tip when it comes to natural healing techniques. "One of the biggest misconceptions about holistic medicine is that it is strictly an alternative to conventional medicine. That simply is not true. There is room for both in your health and wellness protocol" Hallock says. She notes that while it may initially be difficult to find a "traditional" doctor who also supports and recommends holistic methods, "It is in your best interest to keep searching and not to settle until you find a health care provider who is open to incorporating holistic care into your health care protocol."

Natural hacks for aches and pains isn't as mysterious as it may seem — it's often about taking care of your body before you start feeling sick, as well as finding a healthcare provider in synch with your holistic-treatment goals.

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