Treating Pain Naturally By Christie A. Morelli, ND
disability. The National Center for Health Statistics estimates approximately 76.2 million Americans have suffered from pain that lasts longer than 24 hours and millions more suffer from acute pain. According to the CDC, as many as 1 in 5 people suffering from non-cancer pain receive a prescription opioid. These alarming facts paired with our country’s ongoing opioid crisis stress the need for the implementation of natural pain treatments into today’s healthcare system. The natural treatments for pain include, but are not limited to, herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, manipulation and lifestyle modifications.
P Herbal Medicine Herbs commonly used to treat pain are
cayenne pepper, Boswellia, hemp, Jamai- can dogwood, turmeric and willow bark. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which is a substance that has been shown to re- duce the amount of substance P. Substance P is a chemical in the body which carries pain messages to the brain. With decreased levels of substance P come decreased levels of pain due to fewer pain messages reaching the brain.
Resin extracts of Boswellia have been used for centuries to treat chronic inflam- matory diseases. The anti-inflammatory properties of Boswellia are due to the inhibition of the pro-inflammatory enzyme 5-lipoxygenase.
Hemp contains a cannabinoid called cannabidiol (CBD), which has recently gained popularity in the media. CBD indirectly acts on cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system resulting in decreased inflammation and pain.
Jamaican dogwood is one of the stron-
gest non-narcotic herbal analgesics. The chemical constituents in Jamaican dog-
ain is cited as the most common reason Americans access the health care system and is a leading cause of
wood are credited with muscle-relaxing ef- fects that would contribute to its traditional use for pain and muscle spasms.
Turmeric contains curcumin, which is
very anti-inflammatory. Curcumin affects inflammation by the down-regulation of in- flammatory transcription factors, cytokines, redox status, protein kinases, and enzymes.
Willow bark has been used to treat pain and inflammation for thousands of years due to salicin content. When willow bark is ingested and absorbed, the salicin is metabolized to saligenin, which the liver metabolizes to salicylic acid, a precursor to aspirin. White willow bark acts as a non- selective inhibitor of the pro-inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase.
Nutraceuticals Nutraceuticals, or pharmaceutical alter-
natives that propose physiological benefits, commonly used to treat pain are bromelain and magnesium. Bromelain is an enzyme derived from pineapple stems, which has both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Bromelain inhibits the synthesis of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and directly decreases the level of various pain mediators, including bradykinin.
Magnesium, a mineral, is very impor-
tant for many bodily functions. In regards to pain magnesium inhibits calcium ions from entering cells by blocking NMDA receptors, which inhibits the perception and sensation of pain. Numerous stud- ies have found magnesium beneficial for patients suffering from neuropathic pain, dysmenorrhea, tension headache and acute migraine attack.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a subsection of Tradi- tional Chinese Medicine that involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues throughout the body. It is believed to stimulate the body's energy-carrying channels in an attempt to correct imbal- ances and to restore health. Acupuncture enhances endogenous opiates and releases corticosteroids, relieving pain and enhanc- ing the healing process.
Hydrotherapy Hydrotherapy is a modality in alterna-
tive medicine, occupational therapy and physiotherapy that involves the use of wa- ter internally and externally for treatment of various diseases and conditions includ-
Our Practitioners
Naturopathic Doctor (ND) Dr. Ann Aresco Dr. Jennifer C. Pierre Dr. Cora Stover Dr. Joseph Johnson Dr. Christie Morelli Martin Opoku MD ND
Acupuncture
Traver Garrity, MS,
L.Ac. Counseling
James Osborne, MS, LPC, BCPC
ProNaturalPhysicians.com 860-829-0707 120 Webster Square Road, Berlin, CT 06037
www.NaturalNutmeg.com 23
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