CURE YOUR PAIN— NATURALLY!

Back pain

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) involves tensing and relaxing muscles, and researchers say practicing the therapy twice a day for 10 minutes eases back pain by 80% over eight weeks. How? PMR stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms pain nerves. To try it: Make tight fists and hold for 5 seconds, then open your hands, focusing on how the relaxed muscles feel. Repeat with muscle groups throughout the body. For more instruction, download a free app, like Progressive Muscle Relax.

Joint pain

When joint pain becomes chronic, consider adding collagen to your diet. In a study published in the journal Nutrition Research, subjects who ate collagen peptides daily experienced a 43% reduction in joint stiffness and a 39% boost in joint mobility. Scientists explain that collagen works to fortify the cartilage, ligaments and tendons that support joint movement. To get the benefits, enjoy foods that prod the body to make collagen, like bone broth, poultry, seafood, citrus fruits and berries.

Migraines

Try soaking in a warm bath when a migraine or headache hits. The warm water prods the release of painkilling hormones like oxytocin, which decreases head pain within 4 hours. And since Stanford University researchers report that regular baths reduce the risk of future migraines by 75%, consider making them a habit. Also smart: Add 15 drops of lavender essential oil to your bath water. Breathing in the floral scent brings relief to 71% of migraine sufferers.