They say that the older you get, the more pain you accrue, and while this may not be true for everyone, it certainly applies to many of us. According to data from the NCCIH, chronic pain impacts 40 million American adults, while the NIH has recently estimated that 91 million U.S adults may have some form of arthritis.
So, how are people coping with pain? In light of the opioid epidemic, many chronic pain sufferers have turned to non-pharmaceutical remedies. But are they effective and affordable? Are they truly safer than over-the-counter or prescription pain medications? We tested Relief Factor, a popular pharmaceutical-free pain relief supplement, and have detailed all of our findings below.
We’ve tested and compared a lot of supplements on the market, but few have had such a significant impact on our day-to-day lives as Relief Factor. For those suffering from mild to moderate chronic pain (and even some with severe pain), Relief Factor offers ongoing treatment that knocks out joint stiffness and inflammation and offers 100% drug-free pain relief. It is not a pill you can just knock back and feel better, though – to achieve results, you must take Relief Factor daily for several weeks before you feel improvement. Is it worth it? In our opinion, it very much is.
Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions involving staying healthy and living healthier lifestyles.
We extensively test each health service or product we review. We try our best to give you, our readers, an unbiased exploration of at-home health options, free of marketing jargon or gimmicks. We evaluate products and services based on their adherence to quality, the latest medical evidence and health standards, and a simple question: would we buy the product or service ourselves if it weren’t part of our job, and would we recommend it to family and friends?
Additionally, like all health-related content on this website, this review was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy.
Manufactured by Promedev LLC, Relief Factor is a nutritional supplement for treating chronic pain and inflammation. It is 100% drug-free and composed of all-natural botanical ingredients and fish oils that have been scientifically studied for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. These ingredients work together to impact the crucial metabolic pathways of the body, achieving pain reduction and better health.
Unlike over-the-counter and prescription pain medications, Relief Factor must be taken daily and established in your system over time for optimal effectiveness. Fortunately, the company offers a Subscribe & Save option that provides a 15% discount on purchases while ensuring you never run out.
In addition to Relief Factor, Promedev LLC also produces:
If you're in a hurry or would rather listen than read right now, this video offers a summary of what our testing team found with Relief Factor.
Promedev LLC’s most popular product is Relief Factor, a 100% drug-free formula composed of botanical and fish-based ingredients to address pain and inflammation arising from several chronic ailments, including arthritis, muscle aches, and other age-related medical issues.
Relief Factor is taken as a daily supplement, and the treatment is ongoing, which is one reason users benefit from the company’s Subscribe & Save option. There are three options for purchasing Relief Factor, but we opted for the Best Deal for the most significant savings.
The Single Order option costs $93.95 plus shipping and handling for a 60-ct (one-month) supply of Relief Factor.
The Subscribe & Save option shaves 15% off the cost of Relief Factor, at $79.95 monthly plus shipping and handling. You’ll receive a 60-ct bottle each month, as well as a bonus gift (ours included a month’s supply of Vitamin D3 capsules). There is no membership fee, and there are no repercussions for canceling.
According to the company, almost 95% of customers opt for the Best Deal option in purchasing Relief Factor for the first time. We can see why. This option kicks you off with a 3-Week QuickStart that costs just $19.95 plus shipping and handling and then renews each month at the rate of $79.95. In the QuickStart bundle, you’ll receive 49 packets of Relief Factor and the 147-page Anti-Inflammation Diet booklet. If you are happy with the trial and don't cancel, you'll receive a 60-ct bottle and a bonus gift as part of your subscription each month.
Special Offer from Relief Factor: Try 3 Weeks For only $19.95
One of the qualities we appreciate about Relief Factor is its transparency of ingredients, something that many supplement companies don’t achieve. It’s not just important to know what ingredients you’re getting, but also how much of them.
Relief Factor’s ingredients are clearly presented (with amounts) on its website and on each bottle. And with just four ingredients, researching them is not overwhelming. We found Relief Factor’s ingredient lineup packed with scientifically backed substances known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They include the following.
Omega-3s, fatty acids found in flax seeds and several kinds of seafood, have been shown to relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and a number of other conditions. Recent clinical trials have also demonstrated that Omega-3 benefits cardiovascular health and aids in preventing cardiovascular disease. Omega-3’s immunomodulatory properties reduce morning stiffness and relieve tender and swollen joints.
Relief Factor derives the Omega-3 in its product from wild-caught mackerel, anchovy, and sardine oils that have been molecularly distilled to remove impurities, including mercury and other heavy metals. Note that Relief Factor’s Omega-3 capsules contain trace amounts of soy, an allergen for some people.
If you haven’t heard about the health benefits of turmeric, you’ve likely been in a cave without internet access for several years because it’s been one of the top trends in the health and wellness industry for some time. There are turmeric teas and tonics, capsules, drops, and of course, millions of recipes for incorporating turmeric into your diet.
Turmeric is derived from the root of a plant in the ginger family from Southeast Asia and is a common component of curries in cuisines across the region. Turmeric consists of three curcuminoids and has a long history of use as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant treatment in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.
In numerous clinical trials, curcumin has demonstrated potential as a therapeutic agent for many chronic diseases beyond arthritis, including inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and certain cancers. Thousands of studies have been conducted on curcumin's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiapoptosis, anticancer, and related activities.
Epimedium is a flowering plant native to Asia that contains the flavonoid icariin, a safe and effective natural anti-inflammatory drug shown to be effective in preventing cartilage and bone degradation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Used for many years in traditional Chinese medicine, icariin demonstrates atheroprotective functions and involves anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and lipid-modulatory effects.
Japanese Fleeceflower is an herbaceous perennial plant native to East Asia that has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for its painkilling properties. The main proponent of these properties is its concentration of resveratrol, which is also found in grapes, blueberries, raspberries, peanuts, mulberries, and red wine. Resveratrol is another ingredient constantly undergoing studies for therapeutic uses in joint disorders and its antioxidant and antitumor activity.
Relief Factor Calm is a daily supplement to help you sleep and manage stress better by preventing damage from high cortisol levels. High cortisol levels, caused by stress, can impair body functioning and the central nervous system and lead to increased body tension.
Relief Factor Calm has only one purchasing option, which costs $21.95 monthly (with free shipping and handling as a limited-time offer) for each 60-ct bottle. There are no repercussions for canceling your subscription at any time.
Relief Factor Calm includes the following ingredients.
Phosphatidylserine (PS) plays a key role in cell cycle signaling, helping the body moderate high cortisol levels and supporting brain function, memory, and focus.
Passionflower, a traditional medicinal herb native to the Americas, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, has demonstrated in numerous studies effectiveness in treating insomnia, supporting a healthy nervous system, and easing tension.
Relief Factor Energy is a daily supplement promoting energy, improving circulatory function, and supporting your body's nutrient use. Rife with B-vitamins, caffeine, and taurine, it offers a daily boost without the jitters of overconsumption of coffee or energy drinks.
Relief Factor Energy has only one purchasing option, a subscription that you can cancel at any time. Each month you’ll receive a 60-ct bottle of Relief Factor Energy for $19.95 with free shipping and handling.
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients in Relief Factor Energy.
B-vitamins include a group of eight water-soluble vitamins that perform essential roles in cellular functioning and are particularly effective in impacting numerous aspects of brain function, including energy production.
Relief Factor's B-Complex includes:
It’s no surprise that caffeine has a significant impact on energy, as many of us rely on that all-trusty cup of coffee to wake us up each morning. Relief Factor Energy’s daily dosage of caffeine is equivalent to about half a cup of coffee. It's effective but not mind-rattling or problematic when it comes to getting a good night's sleep later.
Taurine is an abundant amino acid that promotes physical performance, improved recovery, and muscular efficiency. It has been shown to be an effective therapy against congestive heart failure and is currently undergoing studies for its use in treating diseases of the muscles, central nervous system, and cardiovascular system.
Relief Factor is an effective, drug-free product with scientifically backed ingredients shown to reduce inflammation and pain associated with arthritis, muscle and joint aches, and other discomforts associated with aging. In our testing, we completed the 3-Week QuickStart program and an additional month of Relief Factor and found the results impressive.
While none of our testers suffer from severe chronic pain, most struggle with minimal to intermediate chronic pain on a daily basis. After completing the 3-Week QuickStart regimen, most of our testers were convinced of Relief Factor’s benefits, having experienced increased mobility, fewer pain episodes, and better sleep as a result.
Relief Factor’s ingredients have shown to be safe and effective for adults. However, as with all nutritional supplements, they are not regulated by the FDA. There are no reported adverse side effects, and user reviews are typically quite positive.
There are a few things to keep in mind when considering Relief Factor:
You can purchase some ingredients in Relief Factor for significantly less than investing in this product, but it would require far more time and effort than most people would be interested in. For instance, while turmeric is readily available on grocery store shelves, tracking down the right dosage of Epimedium will be a tougher task.
Of course, there are also several competitors on the market that offer similar products for less money, but we found that the benefits of Relief Factor justified the additional cost. Benefits include:
Ordering Relief Factor is easy and intuitive on the company website or by calling 888-488-3112. The company pushes customers to opt for the Subscribe & Save plan or Best Deal rather than making individual purchases, but if you choose, you can purchase just a one-month supply. However, the subscription makes the most sense when dealing with a product that requires ongoing use for effectiveness.
Relief Factor products can be shipped anywhere in the United States and arrive via UPS or USPS. Returns must be unopened and shipped back to the company within 90 days of purchase.
To begin taking the product, simply follow the instructions in your 3-Week Quickstart kit or monthly supply. It is important to remember that this product must be taken daily and sustained in the body over time before you begin to see results. For our testers, that took just about three weeks on average.
When you place an order from Relief Factor’s website, the company maintains your personal order information for its records and uses cookies and other technologies for targeted advertising. You can contact customer service to request a summary of your personal information or deletion of this information
One great benefit of Relief Factor over the competition is that the company does accept some HSA cards. To use an HSA card, you will need to contact your provider and get prior approval before ordering. Some companies cover Relief Factor, and some do not.
At Innerbody Research, we customize our evaluation criteria depending on the type and nature of the health-related service or product. But in general for health products and services, we have five broad areas that we explore in our evaluations, including:
Quality: How well does the company deliver its core service(s) to the customer? For testing services, does the company adhere to the latest and most advanced testing technologies and achieve a very high degree of accuracy? For non-testing telemedical or teletherapy services, is the quality of the service high enough that we would recommend it to loved ones without hesitation? If not, why not? For health products, does the product or device meet a high level of safety? Is it manufactured with high quality standards? Has it -- or have its ingredients – been subjected to studies that confirm effectiveness?
User-friendly: How intuitive and convenient is the service or product? Does the device, program, app, or website achieve a good degree of user-friendliness for its customers?
Value: Are you getting your money’s worth? Are there any hidden costs or charges? Does the company offer discounts?
Privacy: If health data is stored, will your data be stored securely? Are payments secure? Does a company market your information?
Customer support: Particularly in situations where ‘one size fits all’ doesn’t make sense, how well does the company help to make the service or product ideal for you or address your individual needs?