Pain, Part II
Dr. Jorge Kaufmann, ND, L.Ac.
It can be very difficult to determine the cause of pain and in today's society it is much easier to take a pain medication and continue on with life's daily activities. The news a few years back associating non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with increased risk of heart disease prompted many people to begin seeking new options for pain management. While attempting to address the cause of one's pain there are several options available to help repair tissue damage and aid the healing process.
- Diet:
- A properly prescribed diet can help eliminate food sensitivities that can promote inflammation and reduce the body's ability to heal and repair.
- Water:
- Ensuring enough, high quality, filtered water to maintain tissue hydration will aid in eliminating inflammatory toxins from the body.
- Sleep:
- Having sufficient good quality sleep is essential for tissue repair and for stress reduction on our weight-bearing joints.
- Nutritional Supplements:
- Many nutritional supplements are available to help repair and rebuild damaged tissue. Some supplements inhibit the inflammatory cascade of leukotrienes and prostaglandins, others inhibit the release of histamine from inflammatory cells; still others target direct tissues and contribute proteins necessary for rebuilding.
- Botanical Medicine:
- Several plants and herbal extracts can greatly reduce inflammation, improve tissue circulation, and mediate the pain response. As with pharmaceuticals, herbal medicine should not be taken without the guidance of a doctor.
- Homeopathy:
- From the philosophy that like-cures-like, a small amount of a substance that can induce pain is used to relieve pain. This is most effective when professionally prescribed by a trained homeopath or naturopathic doctor.
- Acupuncture:
- From the Chinese perspective that pain is caused by stagnation, deficiency, or excess, acupuncture is used to address these issues accordingly.
- Stress reduction techniques:
- Hormones released when we are chronically stressed can have a detrimental impact on tissues. Stress that is not well managed can lead to increased pain and delayed healing.
The presence of chronic pain is not without reason and its cause should be sought out. Everyday we make choices that will influence the physical pain we feel. Knowing which choices to make is essential to any recovery process and for the prevention of more serious disease later in life.
