The estimated number of prescriptions filled annually in this country: three billion. For pain sufferers, there abounds a number of over-the-counter options as well.

"Natural pain releivers aren't going to be as strong as prescriptions, but there won't be any liver damage," Desta Moore, supplement clerk at LifeSource said.

Alternatives vary, with many patients turning to a chiropractor, massage therapist, or acupuncturist to find drug-free relief.

For those who want healing from the inside out, diet and supplements play a large role in health and pain management.

Nutrients that are found naturally in some foods, like Omega-3 fatty acids, have been shown to help alleviate inflammation based diseases.

"A lot of people see changes with Omega 3's; it really has the

anti-inflammatory properties," Moore said. "Taking glucosamine may help as well."

Many medical professionals are hesitant to say that naturopathic medicine is effective for pain relief.

"There's not enough hard data, however, to show that there's a link," Dr. Kathlynn Northrup-Snyder, an RN with a Ph.D. in Public Health said. "That's the caveat."

Northrup-Snyder, who is a proponent of naturopathic alternatives agrees, though, that diet can influence inflammation based pain conditions.

"It can help to stay off tomatoes," Northrup-Snyder said.

Other culprits may include high fructose corn syrup, sugar, and in some people, dairy.

Spices, like turmeric (which is found in curry) has the opposite affect, as it is a well-known aid for inflammatory conditions.

"These contain an enzymes called bromelain," Moore said. "Pro-tease enzymes

rebuild healthy tissue."

What's lacking in a diet may have an even closer association with pain.

"Vitamin D levels are low in many in the Northwest and that is associated with significant muscle pain," Northrup-Snyder said. "When the levels are brought up a lot of people's symptoms will disappear."

According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, as many as 50% of Americans do not consume the recommended daily allowance of certain vitamins and minerals.

"Vitamin C and D deficiencies may affect as much as 50 percent of the population," Stephen Lawson, researcher and administrative officer at the institute, said.

Vitamin E and B12 is lacking in most Americans as well, according to Lawson.

"There's always a debate, too, as to how accurate they [RDA] levels are," Northrup-Snyder said. "Though there are RDA standards, what's in the lower end of the normal range may not be enough for some patients."

According to the Linus Pauling Institute, the RDA of Vitamin D is 200IU and Vitamin B12 is 2.4 mcg, Vitamin B6 is 1.3 mcg.

"It's really a case by case basis, but for people who suffer with carpel tunnel higher potency b-vitamins can help."

Absorption of these essential nutrients is the same, whether through a meal or in supplement form.

Well, there is one exception.

"Chemically they're all the same, except for Vitamin E," Lawson said. "In supplement form only about half in natural."

Many nutrients, such as magnesium, are depleted in the soil used to grow fruits and vegetables, making it harder for the necessary amount of nutrients to be in one's food.

Sufferers of chronic tension pain, may also have a vitamin D and magnesium deficiency to thank for their discomfort.

"Research has shown that deficincies in Vitamin D is linked to

fibromyalgia pain and magnesium deficiency is linked to tension pain such as migraines and muscle cramps," Moore said.

For bumps and bruises or swelling, research has not definitely found an any effective natural treatments, though they do exist.

Arnica, which comes in many forms including gel, cream, and ointment

is used to heal muscles after tissue trauma.

"People keep it around for when they fall down the stairs and get

brusies or scrapes and for other common injuries," Moore said.

Though a debated topic within the medical community with no conclusive evidence, natural pain relievers are most commonly found or not found on the dinner plate.

"It's important to eat a healthy diet, but the reality is that you may need supplements," Northrup-Snyder said.