address it that are inexpensive, effective and with what I call side benefits rather than negative side effects,” says Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, of Kona, Hawaii, author of the smartphone app Cures A-Z. Complementary, integrative or functional medicine, all
names for a holistic approach to health care, offer a comfort- ing wealth of gentle ways to address chronic pain, most of which the vast majority of conventional medical doctors are unaware, says Daniel Cherkin, Ph.D., senior investigator emer- itus with the Group Health Research Institute, at the University of Washington, in Seattle. “Effective natural treatments include yoga, acupuncture,
chiropractic, meditation, lifestyle changes and exercise,” notes Cherkin. “But since they’re not in most doctors’ medical training or learned repertoire for pain relief, patients aren’t offered the opportunity to try them.”
What Helps Relieve Pain Here are just some of the many natural and affordable forms of pain relief. Try the Yass method: Mitchell Yass, Ph.D., of St.
John’s, Florida, author of The Pain Cure Rx, is busting the myth that musculoskeletal pain is often caused by osteo- arthritis. “Arthritis or joint deterioration is rarely the cause of joint pain,” says Yass. He points out that 90 percent of people over 60 have herniated discs, but no associated pain. Yass treats patients based on his observation that in up to
98 percent of the cases he sees, weak muscles are the under- lying cause of joint pain, and strengthening them provides relief. He says his prescribed exercises are usually effective in days or a few weeks. “Pain is an indication of tissue in distress. For example,
pain in the shoulder area is often an impingement of the bicep,” he says. His prescription is strengthening exercises using hand weights for the trapezoid, tricep and serratus
anterior muscles. His book suggests a detailed self-diagnosis program and the necessary exercises to strengthen muscles and relieve joint pain (more at
Tinyurl.com/YassIntroInfo. Address underlying trauma: Osteopath Maud
Nerman, of Novato, California, author of Healing Pain and Injury, has broad experience in treating neurological problems and brain injuries and often focuses on physical and emotional trauma as an underlying cause of chronic pain. She explains that the autonomic nervous system that directs unconscious body functions like breathing, diges- tion and heartbeat is interrupted by such trauma. “Trauma literally shocks the nervous system,” she says.
“The body cannot turn off the ‘fight-or-flight’ reaction, causing a firestorm of inflammation that can lead to a variety of serious diseases, overwhelming the body’s ability to manage its own healing.” Her work has showed how readjusting the body, restoring breathing and reactivating the autonomic nervous system can provide relief in short order. Consider lifestyle, diet and supplements: “Pain is
like the ‘check engine’ light on a car’s dashboard. It signals that something needs attention,” says Teitelbaum, author of Pain Free 1-2-3. “If the ‘check engine’ light goes on, putting a Band-Aid over it or smashing it with a hammer won’t help.” Teitelbaum recommends an energy optimization
approach he dubs SHINE that addresses underlying causes of chronic pain that has worked for 91 percent of the people he’s treated for fibromyalgia and muscle pain. Sleep—Eight to nine hours a night helps replenish energy
and heal muscles. Hormones—Treat hormone imbalances even if lab tests
are “normal”. Immunity—Dysfunctional immune systems and
persistent infections can lead to chronic pain. Nutrition—In Teitelbaum’s studies, optimizing nutritional
support, especially B vitamins, vitamin D, ribose, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and magnesium, was helpful. A healthy, high
YOGIC BREATHING BRINGS RELIEF A
n ancient yogic breathing practice, or pranayama, is used to rebalance the autonomic nervous system.
Dr. Maud Nerman strongly recommends alternate nostril breathing for those that experience chronic pain caused by physical or emotional trauma.
Here’s a basic practice: n After folding the middle two fingers of the right hand down, press the right nostril closed.
n Inhale to the count of four. n Hold both nostrils closed for a count of eight. n Release the right nostril and exhale to a count of eight. n Repeat on the other side. n Continue for at least three minutes, alternating sides throughout.
natural awakenings June 2017 39
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