Not long ago, I was biking the back villages of Cambodia and hiking the temples of Angkor Wat in 100-degree heat – sweaty, sun-soaked, and completely alive. We hiked for hours through jungle trails, feeling strong, free, and unstoppable.
Then I flew home to the deep February chill of negative temps in upstate New York. Within days, I couldn’t walk without excruciating pain. What the heck?
What was to follow was one of the hardest chapters of my life.
What started as soreness in my hip turned into a full-blown health crisis. I tried to fix it naturally (as I’d always been able to heal myself), but my usual go-to treatments didn’t dent the pain, and my increasing immobility progressed. I ended up needing two hip surgeries – and a subsequent fracture of my upper leg and hip pocket substantially added to my recovery time.
For months, I couldn’t do yoga. I couldn’t hike. I couldn’t even walk properly. And I was scared I’d never travel again. Never move with ease. Never feel like “me” again.
Physically and mentally, I was at a low point. But a voice deep inside me finally spoke: Don’t give up – there are answers… somewhere!
I had time to research – and I dove deep. I learned how inflammation, toxins, and energy imbalances all contribute to joint pain and stiffness.
Here’s what I did:
I cleaned up my meals and focused on foods that reduce swelling and nourish joints, and I stopped drinking alcohol.
I started a fresh journal. I’ve been writing goals for over 20 years, but these ones felt different, more urgent and more sacred.
I invested in top-tier joint-repair formulas and endured intense shockwave laser therapy (the same used by the Buffalo Bills). Brutal and expensive – and it didn’t help at all.
Clearing out toxins helped reset my system and reduce joint stiffness.
Using gentle movement, breathwork, and natural herbs, I supported my lymphatic system – the body’s waste-disposal network – to keep healing flowing.
Still one of my favorite tools for deep tissue detox, pain relief, and circulation – I use it 2-3x a week.
But it was the newer therapies that truly surprised me – and ultimately changed the direction of my healing.
Here are the tools I now use daily and share with my clients:
They stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and improve balance. Great for feet, knee, and hip pain – and even help with energy and stability.
I use red-light therapy to reduce joint stiffness, increase flexibility, and speed up tissue repair. I still fall asleep with it on my back (20 Minute timer).
Using a grounding mat simulates walking barefoot on the earth helping to reduce inflammation and pain and increase flexibility. I enjoy my morning coffee with my feet on the mat daily.
These non-invasive patches help your body regenerate naturally. I still use them daily for support with my back, hips, skin, hair and more. On for 12 hours then off for 12. Couldn’t be easier.
Today, I’m pain-free. I’m back to advanced yoga and recently returned from hiking the rice fields of Vietnam and Bali. We’re off to Italy and Thailand this fall. Life is good.
My mind is sharp, my body strong, and my heart full. I don’t take this lightly – I feel like I’ve been given a second chance.
And I believe many women over 60 can experience the same with the right tools!
According to the CDC, over 53 million Americans suffer from arthritis, and that number is growing. Two out of every three people over 60 are living in chronic pain. But so many don’t realize there are natural, science-backed, non-invasive ways to feel better.
If this speaks to you, I’ve created a free guide to the tools that helped me most.
Discover the powerful, modern wellness tools that helped me get out of pain, recover from surgery, and return to vibrant, active living.
Get the full list – including what each tool does, how to use it, and where to start – inside this beautiful, inspiring PDF: The Wise Woman’s Guide to Natural Pain Relief.
What type of pain have you suffered lately? Any surgeries you’re recovering from? Do you use any of the relief methods or tools mentioned in the article?
Tags Healthy Aging
II have requested your guide several times but it’s not coming through. I would appreciate it if you would send this to me directly. peg@wellnessandyou.com thank you.
Hi Peg! I just sent it to you via email…we did have over 330 successful downloads so I’m not sure what the issue is, but not to worry…you should have it now!
This sounds like a lot of unscientific mumbo-jumbo, kind of like what we hear spouting from the mouth of RFK. I believe in science and science backed therapies, not patches that claim to be made of stem cells.
Thank you so much. How lovely of you to share. I will certainly try these things as this is well timed for me too.
Hi Sue!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the article…it’s been quite a journey…you never know what the right combination might be for you! Do reach out if I can help you in any way at all!
An anti-inflammatory diet, I think, is a good idea. I was advised that many years ago by a pain specialist in Vancouver. Some of the ideas are worth a try anyways, I wouldn’t automatically discount everything in the article.
You are spot on, Carol. Eating clean and keeping inflammation low is key to everyday pain reduction and a smart way to eat overall. Best to you!
Excellent article/story full of good information. I use red light therapy and my issues are responding to it.
Hi Aleta!
Thank you for the kind words! Yes, I love the red-light therapy, too. I’m glad you’re experiencing some noticeable results with it!
Do reach out if I can help you with anything at all, okay?
Bye for now…
Warm regards,
Dr. Shirley
God bless you for this article! About 6 weeks ago, I SUDDENLY felt pain in the morning. Not
gradually. Literally suddenly. Both arms. My hands wouldn’t make a gentle fist. Fingers
tingling. Pain in hands. Suddenly wrists so weak I could not lift the coffee pot. I felt stiff and sore everywhere. It did not go away, nor has it worsened. I’m going to see my MD and a local ND. I’m going to read every word of your free guide. My Mother is 93 and I anticipate another 20 years of life for me and I AM NOT GOING TO LIVE IN PAIN. I will figure this out.
I now start every morning with a hot shower to loosen things up. I get on the eliptical to warm things up. I am rethinking my diet. I must figure this out. Take THAT attitude, fellow readers.
Thank you for sharing this here, Catherine! I love your fierce determination…you WILL figure this out…there is always an underlying cause. Let me know if I can help in any way, okay? You many want to take my 6-part video course The 5 Pillars of Natural Medicine which I’ll be offering for free during the launch of The Wise Women of Wellness launch…I’ll keep you posted via email! And do reach out if I can help, okay?
This is really interesting. I too am looking for natural tools to reduce age related inflammation. Intriguing article.
Hi Erin! I hear you! We never know what’s on our next page…every little bit helps create the comfort and ease we all desire! Do reach out if I can help you in any way, okay?
Bye for now!