Naturopathic & Alternative Treatments For Chronic Pain

Pain.

It’s something most of us experience from time to time.

However while much pain is acute, or short-term - a stubbed toe, burning your hand on the stove, or a bee sting, some people live with ongoing chronic pain which can affect their quality of life.

Today we will look at some osteopathic manual therapy treatments which can be used to help manage chronic pain.

Keep reading to learn more.

What Is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is usually defined as any pain which lasts more than 12 weeks.

The definition of “chronic” is “persisting for a long time or constantly recurring”.

Although it may start because of an injury or trauma, it continues even after the initial cause has healed.

Acute pain on the other hand, is generally a response to a physical issue such as disease, inflammation or trauma, however it goes away once the initial cause has healed.

You often – but not always – know the cause of your acute pain, but chronic pain may be a mystery.

Causes Of Chronic Pain

There are a number of reasons someone could be experiencing chronic pain.

For some individuals the aging process and changes in the bones and joints can be the cause of chronic pain.

Depending on the location of the pain, there could be any number of causes - for instance chronic back pain may be caused by any one of the following factors, or a combination of:

● Poor posture
● Improper lifting technique
● Congenital conditions
● Pressure on the back and knees due to being overweight
● Wearing high heels
● Injury
● Sleeping on a poor mattress

Another source of chronic pain for could be chronic illness or disease, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia or cancer.

In many cases the source can be difficult to pinpoint, and sometimes involves a combination of a number of potential causes.

Problems with Medical Treatment for Chronic Pain

So, someone has chronic pain.

Can’t their doctor just prescribe something to help with it?

There are certainly medications which can be effective, however these come with their own set of problems.

One of the first treatments many people think of for chronic pain are opioids, however these must be carefully managed in order to attempt to avoid addiction.

Opioid addiction occurs when an individual has a compulsion to continue using opioids even though they are no longer medically required.

Even when used correctly, and as-per prescription, opioids can be extremely addictive which can result in individuals attempting to find them through illicit means when they are no longer being prescribed the drugs.

Another issue with opioids is even though they may treat the pain itself, they don’t help with the source or cause of the pain.

Natural Treatments For Chronic Pain

There are a number of natural treatments which can be used to manage chronic pain.

It should be noted that these treatments are not a “one size fits all” however - the best treatment for any given ailment will depend on the nature and cause of the pain itself.

Let’s take a look at some common natural treatments for chronic pain and how they can be used.

1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for some types of chronic pain.

These include pain due to fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, sports injuries, and back injuries.

The exact mechanism by which acupuncture treats pain is unknown, however it could be because it blocks pain signals coming from nerves, or possibly triggers the brain to release pain-numbing chemicals.

2. Osteopathic Manual Manipulation

Osteopathy is a manipulation therapy which deals with the interconnectivity and relationships within the body.

Osteopathic Manual Therapy (OMT) involves your OMT Practitioner assessing the joints and movement of the body, and developing a treatment plan based on what is - and isn’t - moving.

3. Exercise

Regular physical activity can be beneficial for individuals with a variety of chronic conditions.

Physical activity can help to relieve chronic pain, as well as boost energy and mood.

It is always wise to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program, and they may give you guidance on exercises to avoid, especially if you are new to exercising on a regular basis.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil)

A 2006 study in the journal of Surgical Neurology studied the use of Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) as an anti-inflammatory and as an alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - a class of drugs which includes aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.

In a study of patients with non-surgical neck or back pain, 59% discontinued use of their prescription NSAID medications for pain, 60% stated their pain improved and 88% said they would continue to use fish oil.

Use of Omega-3s for pain means avoiding some of the side effects of NSAIDs such as risk of gastrointestinal problems, kidney disease, and adverse cardiovascular effects.

5. Capsaicin

A 2017 study in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews looked at the use of topical capsaicin in high concentrations for chronic neuropathic pain in adults.

It showed study participants who used high-concentration topical capsaicin reported moderate or substantial levels of pain relief compared to those who used a placebo.

Along with improved pain relief, subject also experienced better sleep, less depression and overall better quality of life.

6. Turmeric

Turmeric is getting a reputation as a powerful supplement these days.

This root, which is a part of the ginger family can be used to help reduce inflammation.

Use it to add spice and flavour to your meals, drink it as a tea, or if you aren’t a fan of the flavour it can be taken in capsule form.

7. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for a number of functions in the body, including bone strength, cell growth, and immune function.

It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to fibromyalgia, a condition which can cause chronic pain for those who suffer from in.

If your pain is linked to fibromyalgia, consider low vitamin D may be a factor, and supplements can act as an effective treatment.

Contact Annex Naturopathic

Do you suffer from chronic pain?

Are you worried about the side effects of over-the-counter pain relievers, or the potential addictive properties of opioids?

Perhaps you’ve tried everything else little or no relief and are ready to go a different route.

Annex Naturopathic can help.

Contact us today to set up your consultation and we’ll work together to put together a treatment plan, to help you live pain-free again.

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Marnie Luck, N.D

Annex Naturopathic Clinic
572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

-https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic Clinic is a clinic in Toronto that offers integrative healthcare solutions from Drs. Marnie Luck, ND, and Tanya Lee, ND

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Find additional info about health, wellness, naturopathy, and medicine at: Annex Naturopathic Clinic

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Natural Solutions For Estrogen Dominance, Part 2

There are a number of things which can cause hormonal imbalances in people.

In our last article in this two-part series on estrogen dominance we looked at some of the causes of this particular condition.

In this follow-up we will look at some ways this particular imbalance can be controlled naturally.

In case you missed the first part, click here to get caught up.

Recap: What Is Estrogen Dominance?

Estrogen dominance occurs when there is an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the body.

In particular, it’s when there is more estrogen than progesterone.

Diagnosing Estrogen Dominance

If you suspect your symptoms are due to estrogen dominance, keep track of which symptoms you are experiencing, and when they happen in relation to your menstrual cycle.

Once you’ve done this, book an appointment here at Annex Naturopathic to discuss your symptoms. From there, we can order tests to check your hormone levels.

Depending on your symptoms, we may use urine or blood tests to measure your levels of FSH, LH, E2, P, and TSH.

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we may check for liver qi stagnation, since these symptoms closely mimic those of estrogen dominance.

How Does Estrogen Dominance Affect Pregnancy?

Having trouble conceiving?

Estrogen dominance may be to blame, as it can be linked to fertility issues.

When an egg is released, the empty follicle then starts to produce progesterone.

If ovulation does not occur and no egg is released, progesterone is not produced and estrogen dominance occurs.

Keeping estrogen and progesterone levels in balance is an essential part of becoming and staying pregnant.

Natural Solutions For Estrogen Dominance

If you feel that you have estrogen dominance, it’s important to consult with your naturopathic doctor or other primary health care provider before beginning any treatment.

If you want to avoid taking artificial hormones, there are a number of natural treatment options which may help.

Let’s have a closer look at some of these.

Maintain A Healthy Weight

Shedding excess pounds can help with estrogen dominance, as estrogen can be stored in fat cells.

Not only that, but because estrogen is produced in fat cells, maintaining a healthy body weight will not only slow estrogen production, but take away one of the places where it can be stored.

Aim for a body fat percentage of 28% or lower.

Controlling estrogen dominance isn’t the only reason to aim to maintain a healthy weight - it can also reduce your risk for many other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

Decrease Your Stress Level

When you are under stress, your body creates cortisol instead of progesterone.

Keep stress levels at bay, and you will also have more progesterone in your system to keep estrogen levels at bay.

Of course, reducing stress also has many other benefits, such as increased productivity, improved sleep, and better interpersonal relationships.

Include More Fibre In Your Diet

Excess estrogen is eliminated by the body through bowel movements.

If a stool takes too long to make its way through your intestines, estrogen can actually get reabsorbed into the body.

Prevent this by eating a diet high in insoluble fibre to help keep things moving.

Avoid Caffeine

Regular caffeine intake has been linked to estrogen dominance.

Studies have indicated women who drink 500 milligrams (about 5 cups) or more of caffeine daily have 70% more estrogen than those who have less than 100 milligrams.

So if giving up coffee entirely sounds scary (to yourself, or your coworkers) you may not have to give it up completely, but stick to 1 cup (and skip the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, and so on).

Eat A Healthy Diet

A diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables, adequate protein (avoid soy and meat grown with hormones) and dark leafy green vegetables is important for metabolism of estrogen.

Organic fruits and vegetables are important because the pesticides used on some crops can result in higher levels of estrogen in the body.

Contact Annex Naturopathic

Are you concerned your hormone levels are off-kilter?

At Annex Naturopathic we offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to help manage estrogen dominance and other hormone-related conditions.

Contact us today to set up a consultation.

 

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Tanya Lee, N.D

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1
-https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic Clinic is a clinic in Toronto that offers integrative healthcare solutions from Drs. Marnie Luck, ND, and Tanya Lee, ND

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Learn additional tips about health, wellness, naturopathy, and medicine at: naturopathic doctor in Toronto

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Maple Ginger Hot Toddy

To read additional ideas about health, wellness, and alternative medicine, please visit us here: goo.gl/PS0OJk - 

Here's one last recipe to close out 2019! I hope you all have some fun and festive New Year's plans coming up this week. Jack and I will likely stay in on New Year's Eve and drink these hot toddy … Go to the recipe...The post Maple Ginger Hot Toddy appeared first on Love and Lemons.
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Maple Ginger Hot Toddy

Here's one last recipe to close out 2019! I hope you all have some fun and festive New Year's plans coming up this week. Jack and I will likely stay in on New Year's Eve and drink these hot toddy … Go to the recipe...

The post Maple Ginger Hot Toddy appeared first on Love and Lemons.

Cade (Rectified) (Juniperus Oxycedrus) Essential Oil Profile, Benefits, Properties

The main index for our Single Essential Oil Profiles is located here.

If you see a term you don't understand, be sure to check our Alternative Health Glossary of Medical Terms!

• Additional Name(s): Juniper Tar, Prickly Juniper, Prickly Cedar
• Color: Generally Light to Medium Brown
• Oil Consistency: Medium-Thick
• Perfumery Note: Base
• Initial Aroma Strength: Medium
• Scent: Smoky, similar to the aroma of burning wood or tar.

Action: Fixative, calmative, antiseptic, analgesic, antimicrobial, antipruritic, disinfectant, parasiticide, vermifuge

Benefits, Indications: Cuts, dandruff, dermatitis, eczema, spots. Cade Essential Oil is used to treat skin issues such as eczema, dermatitis, hair loss, and age spots. It has a smoky, woody, leathery scent and used in fragrances, soap, and cosmetics. Cade emotionally brings in feelings of abuse that need to be grounded and released leading to laughter. It has been used for snakebites, leprosy, soothe toothaches, kill lice and their eggs, and heal skin conditions.

Chemical Constituents: Delta-Cadinene, torreyol, epicubenol, zonarene, b-Caryophyllene

Companion Oils: Cedarwood, clove bud, labdanum, origanum, rosemary, thyme

Precautions: Crude (unrectified) cade oil is potentially carcinogenic due to the presence of benzo[a]pyrene and should not be used internally or externally. Only rectified Cade oil should be used.

Science and Research

• Chemical Composition, Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activities of Essential Oils of Cultivated Clones of Juniperus communis and Wild Juniperus Species.

Get your herbs and oils at a place you can trust!

Starwest Botanicals not only utilizes their own milling and packaging operations for all organic herbs and bulk spices, they also conduct quality control testing on each and every product in their own laboratory.

With attention like that, you can be sure you will receive only the highest-quality organic herbs, dried herbs, organic spices, therapeutic essential oils and all natural products when you place an order with Starwest Botanicals.

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Common Household Cleaners Could be Altering Children's Microbiome

Razi Berry

The chemicals we use to clean our home may be detrimental to our children's microbiome. Because of the known links to weight gain, as well as metabolic changes and the gut microbiome, it is possible that these chemicals are contributing to the obesity epidemic seen in children. A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal looks at this topic.¹

Study looked at the gastrointestinal flora (gut microbiome) of 757 infants

The study looked at the gastrointestinal flora (gut microbiome) of 757 infants from the general public (age 3-4 months). The weight of the children were measured at 1 and 3 years. Their exposure to disinfectants, detergents, and eco-friendly products used in the home were assessed.

Altered gut flora in 3-4 month old babies exposed to frequent use of disinfectants

Altered gut flora was most strongly associated in the 3-4 month old babies who were exposed to frequent use of disinfectants. They showed lower levels of Haemophilus and Clostridium bacteria but higher levels of Lachnospiraceae. An increase in Lachnospiraceae was also seen with increases in disinfectant use. The same associations were not seen with detergents and eco-friendly cleaners.

Lachnospiraceae

Disinfectants being used only weekly were seen to correlate with higher levels of Lachnospiraceae at age 3-4 months, as well as a body mass index that was higher than children not exposed. Babies in households using eco-friendly cleaners had different microbiomes than other children and were less likely to be overweight as toddlers.

"Those infants growing up in households with heavy use of eco cleaners had much lower levels of the gut microbes Enterobacteriaceae. However, we found no evidence that these gut microbiome changes caused the reduced obesity risk," the researchers said.

Use of eco-friendly products may be a byproduct of an overall healthy way of living

The use of eco-friendly products may merely be a byproduct of an overall healthy way of living, including diet and more playful activities that would also affect healthy gut flora as well as weight of children.

'Study provides novel information regarding the impact of these products on infant gut microbial composition'

"Antibacterial cleaning products have the capacity to change the environmental microbiome and alter risk for child overweight," write the authors. "Our study provides novel information regarding the impact of these products on infant gut microbial composition and outcomes of overweight in the same population."

Source:

1. Moira K. Differding, Noel T. Mueller. Are household disinfectants microbially mediated obesogens? Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2018; 190 (37): E1095 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.181134

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Razi Berry is the founder and publisher of the journal Naturopathic Doctor News & Review  that has been in print since 2005 and the premier consumer-faced website of naturopathic medicine, NaturalPath.  She is the host of The Natural Cancer Prevention Summit and The Heart Revolution-Heal, Empower and Follow Your Heart, and the popular 10 week Sugar Free Summer program. From a near death experience as a young girl that healed her failing heart, to later overcoming infertility and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia through naturopathic medicine, Razi has lived the mind/body healing paradigm. Her projects uniquely capture the tradition and philosophy of naturopathy: The healing power of nature, the vital life force in every living thing and the undeniable role that science and mind/body medicine have in creating health and overcoming dis-ease. Follow Razi on Facebook at Razi Berry and join us at  Love is Medicine  to explore the convergence of love and health.

The post Common Household Cleaners Could be Altering Children's Microbiome appeared first on NaturalPath.

Virgin Cherry Moscow Mules

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In order to support our blogging activities, we may receive monetary compensation or other types or remuneration for our endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this blog.

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Whether you're new to the AIP or have been navigating your special diet for a while, it can be disheartening to have to face the holiday season without being able to drink. Everyone else is loosening up, having fun, and you feel stuck on the sidelines.

But, in my experience, indulging in an adult beverage has never been worth the pain it causes my body. With cramping, migraines, and nausea on the table… well, alcohol starts to look a lot less appealing. But that's what mocktails are for!

With the addition of cherries and sparkling water instead of vodka, these Virgin Cherry Moscow Mules will slake your thirst and make it look like you're part of the party… without any of the nasty side effects. To your health!

Virgin Cherry Moscow Mules

 

Print

Prep time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

 

Serves: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 6 sweet cherries, pitted
• 1 ounce lime juice
• 3 ounces sparkling water
• 6 ounces ginger beer

Instructions

1. In a glass, muddle the cherries with the lime juice.
2. Stir in the sparkling water.
3. Fill a copper mug with ice.
4. Pour the cherry mixture into the mug, then top off with ginger beer.

Notes

I recommend making your ginger beer at home as few store-bought brands are AIP compliant. Here is my ginger beer recipe. A great alternative is ginger kombucha.

3.5.3229

 

The post Virgin Cherry Moscow Mules appeared first on Autoimmune Wellness.