Each culture develops its own ways of treating pain. Living in the US in the 21st century, there is an opportunity to benefit from therapies used in many different cultures. One of those options is homeopathy.

History
Homeopathy was developed by Samuel Hahnemann, MD, approximately 200 years ago. When first introduced, it was well known and respected. In the late 1800s, one in five US physicians used homeopathic medicines. Homeopathy is still commonly used in Europe, India, and other parts of the world. Many celebrities and dignitaries use homeopathic medicines; the most famous being the Royal Family of England.

Mechanism of Action
Homeopathic medicines work with the body’s own mechanisms for healing. A way to understand this is to think of the common cold. We know that the symptoms are caused by the immune system trying to eradicate a virus, not by the virus itself. Overthe counter (OTC) cold medicines suppress symptoms but do not help eliminate the virus. In contrast, homeopathic medicines help the immune system do a more effective and efficient job of getting rid of the virus. In this way, homeopathic medicines help the body to heal itself.

In my practice, I have used homeopathic medicines for nine years and have found them to be much safer than prescription and OTC medicines. Many of these medicines are effective, but not entirely safe, leaving the patient stuck trying to balance the desired results with undesired side effects. This problem does not arise with homeopathy. While homeopathic medicines occasionally intensify prior symptoms for a short period, they do not cause new symptoms or side effects.

What Patients Can Expect
When patients visit a homeopathic provider they will be asked many detailed questions about their symptoms and themselves. This information is important because homeopathic medicines are chosen according to symptom patterns rather than for the type of disease. In homeopathy, there is one medicine for back pain that is worse in the morning, another medicine for pain that is worse with exertion. There is another if pain is worse in middle of the night, and another if it is worse shortly after mealtimes. An advantage to this approach is that the cause of pain does not need to be known in order to find effective treatments.

Homeopathic medicines work with the body’s own mechanisms for healing.

Homeopathic medicines can help with pain but they are also very useful for treating the associated symptoms that go along with pain, such as depression, decreased concentration, low energy, and constipation. Patients often find that the greatest benefit of homeopathic medicines is increased function. I find that homeopathic medicines often give the body the added boost it needs for patients to gain control over their illness.

Personal Stories
I asked two patients for permission to share their stories and their experiences are below.

JB is a 34-year-old man who works in construction. One day while doing heavy lifting, he felt a pop and pain in his back and left leg. He saw his doctor who made referrals to two specialists. It was determined that he would not need surgery. He began physical therapy and steroid injections. However, physical therapy and steroid injections did not give him lasting relief. Opioids were added. When he began taking a homeopathic medicine as well, he felt more stamina during the day and was able to decrease his opioid medication.

SW is a 63-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer and resultant bone pain. This pain makes her irritable and prevents her from sleeping. Because she has multiple medication allergies, treatment had been challenging. When she added two homeopathic medicines to her treatment plan, her symptoms improved. This was largely due to the homeopathic medicines mitigating her allergic reaction, which meant that she was more tolerant of her pain pills.