Many people struggle with chronic pain everyday for various reasons, whether it's down to back pain or conditions such as arthritis and even fibromyalgia. Chronic pain can significantly impact a person's day-to-day life, but there a number of ways to help without relying heavily on medication.

Nowadays, many patients want to avoid painkillers due to side effects or becoming too dependent on them. Instead, lifestyle and diet changes are recommended first, followed by natural remedies and the possibility of supplements.

Supplements aim to boost what our bodies do not produce enough of - from certain hormones to vitamins and minerals that usually come from food. A blood test usually helps doctors figure out if you are deficient in a certain vitamin or mineral, which might add to your overall pain.

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Dr Sood, a doctor of Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Medicine suggests three supplements that he recommends to patients in pain. He explained: "The reason I discuss supplements with my patients is a lot of pain medications are associated with side effects with long term use and taking supplements is a great way to decrease the amount of medications you'll require."

He went on to detail the exact supplements he recommends, adding: "These supplements often have low risk and high benefit. Number one, omega 3 fatty acids.

"These can be found in fish oil and they do have anti inflammatory properties and can be useful in conditions such as rheumatoid , osteoarthritis, back pain."

According to , omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to many health benefits. In particular, they may help promote brain and heart health, reduce inflammation, and protect against several chronic conditions.

Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of molecules and substances linked to inflammation, such as inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines. have observed a connection between omega-3 supplementation and reduced inflammation.

The doctor added: "Number two, curcumin, which is a compound found in turmeric which is commonly used in Indian cuisine. Make sure you combine this with black pepper to get full absorption and it also has anti inflammatory properties."

Many high-quality studies show that turmeric has major benefits for your body and brain. Many of these benefits come from its main active ingredient, curcumin.

It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. According to , "curcumin is a bioactive substance that can help fight inflammation, though very high doses are required to produce medicinal results."

It added: "Still, it means it has the potential to fight the inflammation that plays a role in many health conditions and diseases. That’s why anything that can help fight chronic inflammation is potentially important in preventing and helping treat these conditions."

The doctor continued: "And number three Vitamin D, which not only is important for bone health but there are studies supporting that it can decrease chronic pain. Chronic pain patients have been shown to have a lower level of vitamin D and it has been shown to help conditions such as fibromyalgia and back pain."

The says Vitamin D helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter. This is because the sun is not strong enough for the body to make vitamin D during this time.

Since it's difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, the NHS claims everyone (including pregnant and breastfeeding women) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter months.

The doctor also noted: "It is important to note that before you start any supplement you should discuss with your doctor."

Before introducing any new supplements into your regimen, it's advisable to consult with your doctor. They can provide the most suitable advice based on your medical history. They can also inform you about any potential risks associated with specific products, such as interactions with other medications you may be taking.