For more than 1.5 billion individuals worldwide who suffer from chronic pain, finding relief can seem like a hopeless task.

Too often, heavy prescription painkillers are the go-to treatment under conventional medical care — a treatment that at best temporarily masks symptoms, and at worst, runs the risk of serious addiction. In fact, recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveals that prescription opioid drugs are now responsible for more deaths in the United States than heroin and cocaine overdoses combined. Even over-the-counter pain medications (which are significantly less effective at even temporarily alleviating pain) come with a laundry list of warnings for severe complications like stomach ulcers, hearing disorders, and liver failure when misused in the plight to find relief.

 Finding a solution that offers both relief and longevity without creating even bigger problems can feel nearly impossible.