Midlands residents turn to nature with nearly half now prioritising holistic approaches to pain and health
New survey finds rising interest in non-drug therapies with nearly half of residents in the Midlands prioritising natural remedies to pills and prescriptions, but confusion still holds some back.
With approximately 28 million adults in the UK now living with chronic pain, a growing number are turning away from pills and prescriptions towards natural, empowering alternatives.
A new national survey commissioned by The Holistic Pain Clinic has found that nearly half (47%) of adults in the Midlands now prioritise natural or non-medication-based methods to support their pain and wellbeing. The study released today to mark International Self-Care Day, highlights a region increasingly embracing holistic health, with over a third (38%) actively seeking out tools such as nutrition, breathwork, and nervous system support to help manage pain and stress.
The research highlights a significant shift in public perception, with rising demand for more integrative, trauma-informed approaches to managing pain and mental wellbeing, with nearly two-thirds of respondents now defining “holistic healing” as treating the whole person – body, mind and emotions – not just masking symptoms.
Despite this momentum, access and understanding continue to present barriers. More than a quarter (27%) said they were unsure how to begin, while an equal 27% questioned whether holistic therapies were evidence-based. One in five (20%) said the idea still felt “too alternative”.
“Pain is never just physical,” says Samphire Hayes, founder of The Holistic Pain Clinic and a former chronic pain sufferer. “For too long, we’ve separated the body from the mind when it comes to healing. My work is about bringing them back together using science-backed, nature-connected, and trauma-informed therapies to help people understand and address the root causes of their suffering.”
At her clinic, Samphire offers bespoke therapy packages that include elements such as somatic coaching, nutrition support, breathwork, movement therapy, and emotional resilience-building. Her work is grounded in neuroscience and delivered with compassion, drawing from both clinical training and lived experience.
In response to the findings, The Holistic Pain Clinic is launching a new national awareness campaign, “The Natural Reset – From Burnout to Balance,” to challenge misconceptions about holistic healing and promote wider understanding of its benefits. To coincide with the awareness campaign, Samphire is offering a free webinar series and online resources to help individuals embark on their journey into holistic self-care.
Survey data taken from a One Poll study of 2,000 British adults - June 2025.
