Don’t spend too much of your valuable time doing research or taking the wrong advice from bloggers who’ve never used kratom.
I can tell you in this article which strains are the best for pain relief based on the research I’ve done and more importantly, the time I’ve spent experimenting with various strains.
I’ve used a wide variety of strains from all colors. I’ve mixed strains and consumed them in every form you can think of; capsules, tea, toss and wash.
When I pinched a nerve in my back, I felt numbing pain all the way down to my feet.
Instead of turning to pharmaceuticals, I went to work on a daily basis doing research and experimenting to find the strains that best relieved my back pain and also benefited me with additional effects.
Now I’m going to teach you everything I’ve learned.

Some strains were excellent for pain and sleep, making them ideal for use right before bed. Others provided pain relief and slight boosts of energy, therefore, increasing my productivity throughout the day.
Depending on what you’re looking for, the following strains can help you live a normal life free of chronic pain.
1. Red Bali Kratom
Red Bali is the king of red strains matched only by Red Maeng Da, although many would beg to differ.
Red Bali produces potent pain and anxiety relief followed by the strongest sedative effects of all strains.
If you suffer from lack of sleep due to intense chronic pain, I would highly recommend using Red Bali about an hour before going to sleep.
2. Red Maeng Da Kratom
Due to its high alkaloid concentration, Red Maeng Da is very effective for pain and anxiety relief while also producing mild mood boosts. It’s known as one of the most potent strains on the market.
Unlike other red strains, it’s not as sedative, so be careful not to take it in small doses right before bed as small doses tend to provide energy.
I recommend using Red Maeng Da in the evenings to relax and relieve pain after a long day at work.
3. Red Borneo Kratom
Like the previous red strains, Red Borneo is an excellent strain for relieving pain and reducing stress and anxiety.
It also produces a slight mood boost which can help with motivation.
Red Borneo, in my opinion, is the best balanced strain. It produces all of the typical red strain benefits at a roughly equal potency.
I highly recommend this strain if you DON’T struggle with sleep, lack of energy, or anxiety.
4. Green Maeng Da Kratom
Green Maeng Da is the king of the green strains. Like all green strains, GMD is a hybrid of its red and white counterparts.
However, GMD is so potent it wins a spot among the best strains for pain relief. Its other effects include the strongest euphoria of all strains, anxiety and depression relief, and an energy boost.
If you’re looking for a strain that provides pain relief but also gets you moving and feeling great, GMD is for you.
5. Red Hulu Kratom
Red Hulu produces exceptional pain relief, but unlike the other red strains, it’s slightly less potent.
Its analgesic effects coupled with anxiety and depression relief, and moderate mood boost makes it perfect for beginners.
This strain should be used during the daytime in small doses to induce its stimulant effects but still obtain amazing pain relief.
I recommend Red Hulu for individuals who have never used kratom.
Read More: Best Kratom Strains For Anxiety: From Personal Experience
Kratom Dose for Pain

Kratom is unique because of how dose size directly influences the effects. Smaller doses tend to be more stimulant while bigger doses are more sedative. Pain relief, however, is less complex.
For pain relief, the larger the dose the more pain relief you’ll experience. The key is finding the right dose for you. Many sites recommend universal doses for everyone, but that isn’t entirely accurate.
Factors such as the following are known to affect your dose size:
- Metabolism
- Weight
- Gender
- Food in your system
- Tolerance
How to Find The Right Dose For Pain Relief
If you don’t know what your dose size should be, do not worry. I will guide you step by step throughout the process shown below.
- If you weigh less than 200 pounds begin by consuming 2 grams of powder OR 3 capsules (regardless of the strain), which amount to 2.1 grams of powder. Each capsule contains 0.7 grams of powder. If you’re 200 pounds or heavier, begin by consuming 3 grams of powder or 4 capsules.
- If you didn’t feel any pain relief, wait until the following day and add an additional gram to your dose. If you used capsules, add an additional capsule. The reason for not taking kratom twice in the same day is because, as a first time user, your tolerance is very low and your chances of experiencing negative side effects are higher than a regular user.
- If you still haven’t experience pain relief, add another gram or capsule the following day. Continue this process until you obtain the desired pain relief.
- When you experience the perfect level of pain relief, stop increasing your dose. The amount at which you stopped is now your regular daily dose.
Does Form of Consumption Affect Kratom’s Analgesic Benefits?
Depending on how you consume kratom, you may have to take a bit more or a bit less to obtain the same analgesic results.
Fortunately, if you know the exact quantity of your dose using capsules or powder, you can use that information to gauge how much kratom to take when you consume it in other forms.
If you’re unsure of your dose size, follow the process in the previous subheading.
If you’re consuming extract tablets or extract powder, your dose will be smaller than regular capsules or powder. Roughly half the size.
If you make kratom tea by simmering and extracting the alkaloids, you’re going to have to use more powder than a simple toss and wash (about twice as much powder).
How Kratom Works to Relieve Pain

Its alkaloids, Mitragynine and 7-Hydroximtragynine, bind to the mu-opioid receptors in the brain and therefore, produce opioid-like effects. Kratom, in essence, is a natural opioid.
I was able to eliminate pain in my back and lower part of my body caused by a pinched nerve. However, thousands of people have reported success using the kratom strains mentioned above to also treat painful medical conditions such as:
- headaches/migraines
- fibromyalgia
- multiple sclerosis
- arthritis
- muscle aches
- irritable bowel syndrome
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Ehlers Danlos syndrome
- Reflex sympathetic syndrome
Many diseases and medical conditions stem from inflammation, which is why kratom, with its anti-inflammatory properties, helps to reduce pain.
I hope with the help of this article you got to know which strain is the best pain relieving strain for you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via the contact page, I’m happy to help!
FAQ
Are white strains effective for pain relief?
Definitely not. White strains are primarily used for energy because they provide the strongest stimulating effects.
Can I mix strains?
Absolutely. You can mix literally any strain you’d like, wether they’re the same color or not. For example, you can mix a red and white strain to obtain pain relief and reduce sedation. You could also mix a green and red strain to reduce pain and increase the mood boost.
Are gold and yellow strains good for treating pain?
It depends on the strains. Like green strains, gold and yellow strains are a hybrid of red and white strains. However, I’ve found them to be more similar to white strains. If you want to use them for pain, I recommend Gold Bali or Gold Maeng Da.
What other green strains are good for pain?
Green Malay is another superb strain similar to GMD. If I had to choose a 6th strain for this post I would have gone with Green Malay. Most other green strains will provide mild analgesic effects. Here are couple more amazing greens: Green Borneo, Green Bali, and Green Elephant.