Why you don’t need surgery

Worried surgery might be the only solution for your aches and pains? Before going under the knife, consider these natural remedies to see if your body can heal on its own!

Back pain?

Good news: At least 90% of back injuries heal on their own within six weeks. And for chronic pain, physical therapy and medication offer as much relief as surgery, University of California scientists say. Before booking a visit with a surgeon, try taking 250 mg. of boswellia daily. Scientists at Connecticut’s Manchester Memorial Hospital say the herb’s boswellic acids curb inflammation and speed healing, easing back pain by as much as 70% in one week.

Sore knees?

The number of people getting knee surgery has doubled in the past few years, yet a Canadian study suggests athome TLC provides the same relief. One option: Twice daily, massage a mixture of 8 drops of wintergreen essential oil and 2 Tbs. of lotion into your knees. This could cut joint stiffness and pain by 60% in 10 days. Scientists say wintergreen’s methyl salicylate relaxes tight muscles and calms pain nerves.

Carpal tunnel?

Hand and wrist pain can be treated without surgery almost 85% of the time, British doctors say. Turns out, a roll of tape may be all you need to get relief. University of Kentucky research suggests that sitting up straight (instead of slouching) eases pressure on nerves in your wrist, calming inflammation and pain by up to 67%. Simply stick a 6" piece of medical or duct tape vertically along your lower spine. When you slouch, you’ll feel a gentle tug reminding you to straighten up!

Fibroids?

By age 50, up to 80% of women have one of these benign growths, which can cause painful abdominal pressure and other symptoms. A natural fix: Take 3,000 IUS of vitamin D-3 daily. Scientists at Nashville’s Meharry Medical College say D-3 shrinks fibroids by up to 75% and reduces the risk of future growths by 40% by

encouraging uterine cells to grow and divide normally.

— Brenda Kearns