When it comes to pain, everyone wants a quick fix – so I understand the temptation to pop a pill or get a steroid injection for back, neck and shoulder problems. Don’t give in. New research confirms that physical therapy is just as effective as steroid shots for shoulder pain. Over the course of a year, patients given therapy had the same level of improvement and fewer doctor visits, according to the study in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Physical therapy is far safer, too. The one downside is that it can take several sessions before you feel the benefits. For more immediate pain relief, try a natural anti-inflammatory compound such as curcumin or MSM.