Are You In Pain? Nature has Answers.

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Inflammation

Pain is nearly always caused by inflammation. Acute inflammation is usually caused by injury, while chronic inflammation is generally caused by oxidative stress.  In either case, inflammation is a natural process designed to sequester a damaged area and trigger an immune reaction that directs white blood cells to the area, thus causing pain.  The pain tells us something is wrong and encourages us not to use or further irritate the damaged area until it heals.  As the damage is repaired, inflammation subsides, tissues return to normal, and pain is alleviated.

In chronic inflammation, the inflammatory process continues because the irritation of tissues persists.  This is often due to free radical damage, so adopting a diet rich in antioxidants is usually helpful. Since fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants, 60-70% of one's diet should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Some people have found that a temporary diet of 100% fresh fruits and vegetables eliminates chronic pain.

Many herbs and spices are also antioxidant, so including herbs like turmeric, ginger, rosemary and sage in recipes can also help.  One can also take an Antioxidant Formula.

Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids

Most modern diets are high in omega-6 fatty acids but deficient in omega-3 fatty acids.  Many researchers have found that the high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is pro-inflammatory.  Balancing this ratio by consuming more omega-3 essential fatty acids has helped ease pain and inflammation in many cases of chronic pain. It also helps to avoid bad fats (margarine, shortening and processed vegetable oils) and refined carbohydrates, which are also pro-inflammatory.

Toxicity and Stagnation

When tissues become congested due to poor lymphatic drainage, cells accumulate toxic acid waste and suffer from low oxygenation.  As a result, the cells cry for help by sending pain signals to the brain.  Ear aches, sore throats, menstrual pain and headaches can all occur because of swelling in the lymph nodes and congestion in the lymphatic system.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pain is seen as a sign of stagnation.  Doing a periodic cleanse using psyllium hulls and gentle laxative herbs can be helpful in reducing chronic pain for many people.

Massage improves lymphatic drainage and brings blood and oxygen to the tissues.  Massage can be even more effective in relieving pain when you also apply a topical analgesic.  Deep breathing can also be helpful. Pain is often due to a lack of oxygen in the tissues, and deep breathing not only makes more oxygen available to the tissues, it also moves lymph.

Moderate physical activity like walking or swimming helps increase lymphatic drainage.  Gentle bouncing on a mini-trampoline while deep breathing is an excellent way to move lymph and has proven very effective in reducing many kinds of chronic pain.

Over Acidity

Try drinking alkaline water or going on a short fast using lemon water.  Use the juice of four lemons in 1/2 gallon of water, sweetened with a little Grade B real maple syrup.  Don’t eat anything for a couple of days and just drink this mixture whenever you are hungry.  You should also drink lots of pure water.  After two or three days of fasting like this, the body generally becomes more alkaline and many aches and pains simply disappear.

To maintain a more alkaline system, eat a diet that is 70% fruits and vegetables and only 30% proteins and grains.   Drinking water with liquid chlorophyll can also help.  Chlorophyll helps alkalize the system while carrying more oxygen to the tissues.

Laughter – Still the Best Medicine

Pain can also have emotional triggers, such as grief, depression, anger and fear.  The phrase, “Laughter is the best medicine” is based on a real phenomenon.  According to the Mayo Clinic, the medicinal qualities of laughter are real and can help ease pain and stress in your body and mind. Laughing releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain relievers. Of course it’s difficult to laugh when you’re in pain, so try watching a funny movie, reading a humorous book, or listening to light-hearted music to help you relax and laugh.

Natural Pain Relievers

To appreciate the need for natural pain relievers, consider this:  In 2005, over 100 tons of codeine, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and meperidine were purchased in the United States.  That’s over 300 milligrams per person!  Many of these drugs are addictive, and illegal prescriptions are an increasing problem.  Worse yet, people die as a result of misusing these drugs. Fortunately, Nature has remedies to help us relieve chronic pain and inflammation.  Many of these remedies not only relieve the pain, they actually help tissues to heal, removing the cause of the pain.  Here are some natural pain relievers to consider.

Anti-inflammatory Formulas

To relieve pain due to inflammation, an Anti-inflammatory Formula can get to the root cause of many kinds of pain.  These formulas generally contain herbs like turmeric, mangosteen, boswellia, white willow and andropraphis, all of which have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.  They are very helpful for easing pain after dental work, surgery, or injury.  They not only ease pain, but they accelerate healing.

Analgesic Formulas

Many people in modern society like the pain relief provided by COX-2 inhibitors.  A natural and safer alternative to these drugs is an extract from the phellodendron tree called Nexrutine®.  This compound acts as a natural COX-2 inhibitor and has been used for centuries by traditional Chinese herbalists.  Nexrutine® works with the body's natural enzymatic processes to promote comfortable movement without upsetting the stomach.  Users report that it supports joint flexibility and healthy muscle recovery after exercise.  Analgesic formulas containing this ingredient, white willow bark and other analgesic herbs offer an effective alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NAISDs) and generally have fewer side effects.

Another group of analgesic formulas utilize the natural pain-relieving properties of white willow bark, long referred to as “Herbal Aspirin.” This is because white willow bark contains salycilates, the natural compounds from which aspirin was derived.  Research shows that salicin helps prevent the production of prostaglandins.  These natural aspirin substitutes have been used to ease headaches and other forms of minor pain. Valerian root is sometimes added to help relax the nervous system.  Capsicum may also be added to enhance blood flow and oxygenation of the tissues.

Corticosteroid drugs mimic the action of cortisol—a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Many people suffering from chronic pain are also suffering from chronic stress and adrenal “burnout.”  So, supporting the adrenal glands will often help to ease chronic pain.  Licorice root has a cortisol sparing action and is anti-inflammatory.  Other herbs with a cortisol-like pain relieving action include wild yam and yucca.  Yucca can be helpful for chronic muscle and join pain, while wild yam is better for easing pains in the digestive tract and the pelvis.  An Adrenal Tonic Formula may also be needed if the person is suffering from chronic stress and burnout.

Topical Analgesics

A traditional approach to easing pain is to use a topical analgesic, something you massage into sore muscles, aching joints or other painful areas of the body to bring relief.  Two of the best topical analgesics are Tei Fu Oil from Nature’s Sunshine and Rescue Remedy cream from Bach Flower Remedies.  The essential oils in these formulas stimulate circulation to the afflicted area of the body, bringing blood and oxygen to the tissues.  Both the rubbing and the oils themselves promote lymphatic drainage, which clears acid and congestion away from the tissues.

Topical analgesics also have a direct analgesic (pain relieving) effect.  They reduce nerve pain sensations, while reducing inflammation and promoting healing at the same time.  The key to using this approach effectively for chronic pain is to apply the remedy and massage the area frequently enough to prevent the pain from returning.  This keeps circulation going to the area and promotes rapid healing.

These oils have been applied topically to ease sore muscles, arthritic joints, sore throats, swollen lymph nodes, bee stings and insect bites, bumps and bruises, and other minor injuries.

Joint Healing Formulas

These formulas have helped millions of people suffering from arthritis and similar conditions to enjoy significant pain relief and greater mobility. Typically, they contain glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, hyaluronic acid and other ingredients proven to lubricate, replenish and protect the joints and connective tissues.

Glucosamine helps lubricate joints by replenishing synovial fluid, which promotes a joint’s shock-absorbing abilities.  Chondroitin sulfate attracts fluid and draws nutrients into the cartilage, making the cartilage more shock absorbent.  It also promotes growth and normal tissue generation and keeps enzymes in balance.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a significant component of the body’s proteins, hormones, enzymes and tissues. It is present in many fresh foods but is destroyed through cooking, processing and storage.  Supplementing with this nutrient ensures an adequate supply of sulfur—an important structural component of tissues that connect muscle to bone.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an important component of cartilage and synovial fluid; it occurs naturally throughout the body. This molecule plays a crucial role in joint motion, the maintenance of joint homeostasis, and skin support. HA promotes the viscosity and elasticity of the fluid surrounding the joints.

Anti-inflammatory herbs like Devil’s claw, ginger, turmeric, rosemary, thyme, sage, cloves and cinnamon may also be included in these formulas, as reducing inflammation can reduce tissue damage and promote better flow of blood and nutrients to the joints.

Nervine and sedative herbs like kava kava, lobelia, valerian and wood betony may also be included to relieve pain by reducing tension and stress.

Vulneraries

Vulneraries are herbs that help tissues heal. While they do not directly relieve pain, vulneraries are possibly the ultimate pain relievers, because they can resolve the cause of pain by helping to return tissues to their normal state. These remedies can be taken along with analgesics and anti-inflammatories to help permanently ease pain due to tissue damage.  Herbs with vulnerary properties include yucca, black cohosh, horsetail, celery, alfalfa and burdock.

Additional Help and Information

For more information on natural pain relief, consult some of the following sources.