this post was originally done for the OAND blog:
Are you suffering with pain, ever wonder what life might look like without it? Imagine if you will, finding an effective natural solution? Read more to find some alternatives and know that natural approaches have helped thousands heal or diminish their pain. Everyone's story is different but there is help.
Very few of us ever escape the human
experience of pain. In its most simple form, pain is a signal to the body to
withdraw from the source of pain, protect itself for healing or avoid the pain
source or stimulus for the future. Most
pain resolves once the stimuli has been removed. Sometimes pain occurs or
persists in the absence of stimuli and can be chronic in nature. This is when pain as a syndrome becomes
relevant and very complex to define and manage.
Neuropathic
pain is the most common type of pain that is seen in the general practice of
both naturopathic and conventional physicians alike. This pain no longer serves
that protective, defensive instinct and is characterized by “plastic” change in
the autonomic nervous system as well as the central nervous system.
Trauma
and inflammation are the main causes of pain. It is this inflammatory response
that creates those cardinal signs in tandum with pain: swelling, redness and
heat.
Ideally, when inflammation is working for us the result is a complete
remodeling and cleaning up of damaged or traumatized tissue and ultimately a
resolution of pain. When the
inflammatory process remains longer than it should, changes in the tissue
create a worsening of the circulation, causing scar tissue or damage to the
area.
A
naturopathic approach to pain then involves ensuring first and foremost, proper
assessment and diagnosis of the pain syndrome and that the underlying disease
is being treated. For example, pain of
the shoulder blade, may in fact be representative of an internal organ
imbalance of digestive origin. Our
treatment goals are to provide symptomatic relief, douse the fire of
inflammation, and encourage healing.
In my
practice, I approach pain management from a multi-discipline perspective. Nutritionally,
I encourage patients to eat more whole, unprocessed foods and avoid refined,
packaged foods - especially foods that are pro-inflammatory; these are foods
that are especially high in their acid- ash breakdown and include foods such as
cow dairy, citrus, and red meat. Other promoters of the inflammatory cascade
are the nightshades which include: potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, and
eggplant. Supplements that I prescribe in order to decrease overall
inflammation include the omega-3 fish oils, the proteolytic enzymes, and the
extracts of curcumin found in tumeric.
The mineral magnesium has profound effects on inhibiting the pain signal
in the body and deals with any accompanying muscle tension.
Physical
therapies in the practice include electromagnetic, ultrasound, and TENS; these
technologies deliver different energy and wave fronts in order to stimulate the
tissue. The application of hot and cold (hydrotherapy) may also be suggested
for home care. There are naturopathic doctors that also utilize body work
therapies such as massage of muscle, and
spinal manipulation.
I also
use mesotherapy for the majority of my pain patients. Mesotherapy, which hails
from France in 1952 is the injection of nutritional and homeopathic substances
into the skin of the affected or painful area. It uses small specialized
needles. Patients experience dramatic results with this technique, in as little
as 1 to 3 sessions.
Acupuncture
is also a viable alternative and can also induce a calming effect on the system
as a whole
Finally, it is also important to note here that in my
practice, I encourage patients to take a more active role in their healing of
pain. This includes the consideration of how one's thoughts and beliefs create
physiological imbalance or the possibility of how one's emotions might be held
in the body. In this arena, education is the key. Lifestyle modification, sleep
habits, stress management, deep breathing, and relaxation are a few topics that
may also be included in our discussion.
Although, pain is a complex concern, there are
solutions. Your naturopathic doctor can
help you by providing a truly holistic approach.
Dr. Michael Rahman, B.Sc., N.D.
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