ALSO WORTH TRYING…

Turmeric

contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that helps to ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis, says Dr Brewer.

“Unlike NSAIDS, turmeric protects the stomach from peptic ulceration. One trial involving 139 patients with knee osteoarthritis compared turmeric extracts with diclofenac, a strong prescribed NSAID.

“The results showed similar pain-relieving effects to the diclofenac but turmeric was better tolerated.”

Try Healthspan Opti-turmeric (£10.95 for 30 capsules, healthspan.co.uk)

is a natural herbal painkiller for lower back pain and inflamed joints.

A Cochrane review of clinical trials showed it reduced lower back pain more effectively than a placebo.

is a herb that studies have shown is useful for migraine – one reported a 40 per cent reduction in migraine frequency each month.

has been shown to be an effective treatment for adults suffering with chronic pain, with no reported side effects.

One theory is that cannabidiol (a non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant) contains a neurotransmitter, called anandamide, associated with regulating and suppressing pain.

It may also reduce inflammation in the brain and nervous system, which may help people process pain, says Dr Brewer.

It can be taken as a food supplement, a balm, oral drops or tablets.

can be used to override pain signals through what is described as gate control theory. This states that when bodily tissues are damaged, pain signals cannot automatically reach the brain. Instead, they have to pass through “gates”.

The cooling sensation blocks pain signals from passing through these gates.

Try Biofreeze gel, roll-on and spray products, in pharmacies, £9.99 each.

acts as a biological signal to switch on the repair of tissues and to suppress inflammation and the breakdown of cartilage, says Dr Brewer.

“A robust analysis of 54 studies involving 16,427 patients showed that glucosamine plus chondroitin, or glucosamine alone, were more effective than a placebo in pain relief and function improvement for

osteoarthritis patients.”

Devil’s Claw Feverfew CBD Cold therapy Glucosamine

If you have a medical condition or are taking any prescribed medicines, always talk to your doctor before taking any supplement, especially CBD, as interactions can occur