Chronic Pain
- Natural Alternatives
Many
of us live with chronic pain. I live with a low to moderate
level of pain, which has plagued me day and night for over 20
years. I see a chiropractor and get a half hour massage twice
a month. I also took Vioxx, which was recently taken off the
market. But I prefer natural alternatives, both because they
are usually much less expensive and because of the potential
side effects of drugs.
So why am I in so much pain, and why did Vioxx
help? I have had mild scoliosis since childhood, plus several
old injuries from car accidents and other incidents, which have
left residual muscle tension and pain, and a bulging disc. Vioxx
was a Cox-2 inhibitor, which, in a nutshell, is a non-steroidal
anti-inflamatory which does not irritate the digestive tract
as aspirin and other NSAIDs can. It worked by lowering prostaglandins.
Prostaglandins cause inflammation; inflammation causes pain.
Now, mind you, inflammation is a normal part of the healing
process, but chronic inflammation is not.
Stress raises prostaglandins. I've got plenty
of that. Besides other life stresses, the pain itself is stressful,
ranging from annoying to downright incapacitating, and it keeps
me from participating in many fun activities. Things I really
like, such as canoeing, long walks, shopping (!), visiting with
friends, and going to festivals. And when I do push myself to
go have fun, it is always tempered with some level of pain,
and worse yet, with a constant self awareness which keeps me
from fully enjoying the experience.
There are natural remedies which are helpful in
lowering prostaglandins. Flax Oil
is at the top of the list. But even
that only takes the edge off my pain. Regular yoga practice
gives me fairly good relief--I went from taking 50 mg. per day
of Vioxx to taking that amount once per week by doing yoga for
1/2 hour per day. I also started a moderate cardiovascular program,
ten minutes per day on a Nordic type machine. Exercise is a
well-documented method for relieving stress, but probably won't
be noticeably helpful until I'm up to at least 20 minutes per
day, preferably 1/2 hour.
Another popular remedy for pain, especially joint
pain, is glucosamine
and condroitin
.
I've been tempted to take it many times, but I'm a vegan, and
am allergic to shellfish, so I always managed to resist the
temptation. Finally, I found a product which is suitable for
me! Inflama-Rest
by Source Naturals is a nutrient/herbal COX-2 inhibitor.
I've been taking that for several months, and it helps a good
bit. I've included a link and information about the product
below.
Note: Effective
Natural Products now makes a liquid vegetarian
glucosamine. It tastes kind of like cough medicine, and
I don't notice any after-taste. I started taking it about a
week ago (Mid-October, 2005), and it already seems to be healping
with my pain and stiffness. They have a store locator at their
website. I couldn't find an online vendor, other than an online
pet shop which carries it.
Order Inflama-Rest - a natural anti-inflamatory COX-2 inhibitor.
Inflama-Rest™
is a Bio-Aligned™ formula that may ease joint function
and support comfortable movement via inhibition of the COX-2
enzyme. It also addresses additional factors shown in scientific
research to influence muscle and joint comfort: nuclear
factor-kappa B activity, leukotriene regulation and nitric
oxide production. Inflama-Rest™ helps to protect cells
from free radical damage and is specially formulated with
adaptogenic herbs and specific minerals that may help reduce
muscle tension associated with physical and emotional stress.
Supplement Facts
Serving size: 3 TABLETS
|
| |
Amount
|
|
%DV
|
| Calories |
5
|
|
|
| Sodium |
15
|
|
<2
|
| Total Carbohydrates |
1 g
|
|
<2
|
| Dietary Fiber |
1 g
|
|
2
|
| Magnesium (as magnesium chelate) |
300 mg
|
|
80
|
| Zinc (as zinc monomethionine [OptiZinc.]) |
10 mg
|
|
70
|
| Selenium (as l-selenomethionine [SelenoPureTM]
& sodium selenite) |
100 mcg
|
|
140
|
| Manganese (as manganese succinate) |
5 mg
|
|
250
|
| Turmeric Extract (95% curcumin) |
525 mg
|
|
?
|
| Ginger Root |
500 mg
|
|
|
| Ginger Root Extract 4:1 (5% gingerols) |
375 mg
|
|
|
| Ashwaganda Extract 5:1 |
300 mg
|
|
|
| Quercetin |
200 mg
|
|
|
| Milk Thistle Seed Extract (80% silymarin) |
160 mg
|
|
|
| Chinese Skullcap Root Extract (30% flavones) |
150 mg
|
|
|
| S.O.D. (superoxide dismutase [GliSODin.]) |
120 mg
|
|
|
| Oregon Grape Root |
120 mg
|
|
|
| Bromelain (2,000 G.D.U.•• per gram) |
100 mg
|
|
|
| Chinese Skullcap Root Extract (80% baicalin) |
80 mg
|
|
|
| Green Tea Extract (95% polyphenols) |
80 mg
|
|
|
| Feverfew Extract 4:1 |
80 mg
|
|
|
| Stinging Nettles Extract 16:1 |
60 mg
|
|
|
| White Willow Bark Extract (15% salicin) |
60 mg
|
|
|
| Boswellia Extract (20% boswellic acids) |
60 mg
|
|
|
| Rosemary Extract (20% diterpenes) |
40 mg
|
|
|
| Tocotrienols Extract |
15 mg
|
|
|
| Resveratrol (Polygonum cuspidatum Extract) |
10 mg
|
|
|
| Pepper Fruit Extract (Bioperine.) |
10 mg
|
|
|
|
|
Other Ingredients: modified cellulose gum, stearic
acid, acacia gum, and colloidal silicon dioxide.
Suggested
Use: For first 6 - 8 weeks, 3 tablets twice daily after
meals. There-after 3 tablets daily, or as recommended by
your health care professional.
modified cellulose gum, stearic acid, acacia gum, and colloidal
silicon dioxide.
Warning: Not for use by pregnant
or breastfeeding women or persons who are allergic to wheat
or have Celiacs disease. Consult a health care professional
prior to use if you are taking anti-platelet medication
or have gallstones. |
|
The Cox-2 Connection:
Natural Breakthrough Treatments for Arthritis, Alzheimer's, and Cancer
by James B. Lavalle
Contains information about natural Cox-2 inhibitors which have been used in natural medicine for centuries. A must-read
for anyone seeking a natural alternative to Celebrex or Vioxx, the most popular Cox-2 inhibitor drugs.
"The author thoughtfully evaluates the effectiveness of these inhibitors as well as their side effects and
presents exciting new studies that indicate their possible role in preventing Alzheimer's and cancer." - The
Cox-2 Connection excerpt at Amazon.com
(more
info / order from Amazon.com)
Additional Resources:
FlexAnew
- suppliment which naturally supports aching joints - at drugstore.com
Remedief
- COX-2 Inhibitor, Capsules - at drugstore.com
Celebrex:
COX-2 Inhibitors: The Amazing New Pain Fighters (book) - at Amazon.com
