Journal of Pain Research (Feb 2024)
Evidence-Based Opinions from Multidisciplinary Experts on Use of Naturopathic Herbal Remedies in Pain Management
Abstract
Ali Mobasheri,1– 4 Aliyyaa Spring-Charles,5 Francesco Carlo Gamaleri,6 Joyce McSwan,7 Manohar Garg,8 Vidhu Sood Sethi9 1Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Physics and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; 2Department of Regenerative Medicine, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania; 3Department of Joint Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium; 5Hope Spring Clinic, London, UK; 6Pharmacy San Rocco, Cornaredo (Milan), Italy; 7PainWISE Pty Ltd, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; 8Nutraceuticals Research Program, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; 9Medical Affairs, Haleon (Formerly GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare) Pte. Ltd., SingaporeCorrespondence: Vidhu Sood Sethi, Haleon (Formerly GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare) Pte. Ltd., Singapore, Tel +65 96447203, Email [email protected]: Pharmacological approaches to acute and chronic pain management, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids, are respectively associated with adverse reactions (such as gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal effects) that might limit their use in patients with comorbidities and controversy related to inappropriate use. Naturopathic remedies might offer patients alternative and integrative treatments with minimal side effects.Objective: To explore the regional variation in the acceptance and use of naturopathic remedies in pain management.Methods: Two expert panel discussions were held by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (now Haleon Pte. Ltd.) over 9 and 12 hours in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and attended by multidisciplinary experts in naturopathy, Ayurvedic medicine, community pharmacy, physiotherapy, clinical pharmacy, Western medicine, academics, and naturopathic pain relief. Experts shared and discussed their experiences of naturopathic treatments and relevant clinical evidence related to different types of pain (including joint and muscle pain, migraine, sleeplessness due to pain, and general pain) and examined barriers to providing support to patients.Results: Experts agreed on the potential for curcumin (2020, 71.4% [5/7]; 2021, 91.7% [11/12]) and fish oil (2020, 100% [7/7]) for management of osteoarthritic joint pain although these are not uniformly recommended in osteoarthritis treatment guidelines. In treatment of migraines, coenzyme Q10 and magnesium were favored by experts (2021, 90.9% [10/11] and 63.6% [7/11], respectively).Conclusion: The need was emphasized for more and higher quality clinical studies to support naturopathic remedies, which might not be reflected in the latest treatment guidelines. The expert panel also highlighted missed opportunities for physicians and pharmacists to recommend effective naturopathic treatments.Keywords: herbal remedies, naturopathy, osteoarthritis, migraine, expert panel discussion
