Pain

Symptoms

Pain is the body’s mechanism for alerting the conscious mind of a problem. Feeling pain is vital to survival. The actual cause of pain remains a mystery. When people take painkillers, the underlying process causing the pain continues and the painkillers produce side-effects, such as ulcers, kidney failure and liver problems.

Pain affects the entire body and the mind. Sudden, severe pain usually elicits a response from the sympathetic nervous system, causing sweating, accelerated heartbeat, rising blood pressure, quickened breathing and dilation of the pupils. Long-term pain can disturb appetite, sex drive, sleep, and cause constipation.

Causes

The simplest, safest and most effective way to eradicate pain is to eliminate the underlying problem. Control stress to relieve tension headaches. Rest if an injury causes pain. The severity and character of the pain often provide clues to the severity and type of the problem. Pains that gain momentum and peak, then subside, are typical of colics. Cramping pains usually indicate muscle contractions. Pains that suddenly shoot in one direction suggest nerve involvement. Receptors throughout the body transfer signals via nerve impulses to the brain. The brain ‘feels’ the pain, and a certain response is elicited. This response depends very much on learned behavior and circumstance.

Fear and anxiety will worsen pain, while relaxation helps control it. In labor, women who have learned to accept the pain as a function of birth and relax, are better able to cope. Attitude is only part of pain management, however. There are many techniques available today, including breathing and relaxation which offer a reduction from pain and fear. Regular exercise also reduces sensations of pain, because natural endorphins, or painkillers, are released by the brain during exercise. Substances that act on the nervous system, such as coffee, increase sensitivity to pain. Alternative therapies, including acupuncture and homeopathy, can help reduce or eliminate pain even when the exact cause cannot be determined, or when the cause is known but cannot be removed.

A food allergy is a very common cause of pain. When pain becomes chronic and unresponsive to medical measures, consider checking for food allergies. These allergies can effect the nervous system in a direct way. Whenever a food is eaten, the immune system makes antibodies against it. This sets off a chain of chemical reactions that lead to inflammation or irritation of nerve tissue. Detecting, then eliminating, the food allergen will alleviate the pain. Another frequently ignored cause of chronic pain is infection with fungi (candida), parasites, bacteria or viruses. There are several types of tests which could indicate whether the problem involves chronic infection or autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Low thyroid or adrenal function and hypersensitivity to mercury in dental amalgams are also associated with chronic pain.

Nutrition

Animal protein products should be eliminated from the diet of those with chronically painful conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Too much arachidonic acid, found in animal meat, releases leukotrienes in the body. While these compounds heal wounds and injuries, excessive amounts will induce pain and inflammation. Increasing the intake of essential fatty acids found in nuts, seeds and unrefined, cold-pressed flax, and other seed oils will help control the release of stored arachidonic acid. Also the prostaglandins formed from the essential fatty acids produce an anti-inflammatory effect of their own. Chew cloves to relieve mouth pain, or eat cayenne pepper, another powerful painkiller. Cayenne pepper and other chili peppers contain capsaicin, the hot substance which numbs the nerve endings of mucous membranes. Avoid coffee, as it heightens sensitivity to pain.

Nutritional Supplements

A heightened sensitivity to pain can be caused by a lack of nutrients. Supplements help raise the pain threshold. The minerals calcium and magnesium calm the nervous system and reduce sensitivity to pain. Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins are important when the body is under great stress. Pain raises stress levels and heightens sensitivity. Bioflavonoids should be taken with vitamin C to increase the effects of the B vitamins. Magnesium, niacinamide, L-tryptophan, niacin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are natural painkillers. In resistant cases, vitamin B12 injections are necessary to avoid the digestive system.

D,L-phenylalanine is an amino acid which has been shown to help release the body’s own natural opiates (endorphins) and can provide substantial pain relief naturally.

Daily dosages:

Calcium, 1,000 mg

Magnesium, 500 mg

Vitamin B complex, 100 mg

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg

D,L-phenylalanine, 250 mg

Herbal Remedies

Pain is an indication of another problem, which should not be suppressed. Herbal remedies relieve pain and calm the nerves, but they also cleanse the body, improve circulation, strengthen the nervous system, and nourish the muscles, connective tissues and glands.

St. John’s wort is soothing to the nervous system, where there is shooting pain, muscle and joint pain, and neuralgias. Take 1-2 capsules or 2 cups of tea daily. Rub St. John’s wort oil into painful muscles or joints and massage.

Hops relieve pain due to tension. Make a tea using 1 tsp. of herbs in 1 cup of boiling water.

A combination tea of valerian, lettuce leaves, capsicum and white willow bark is excellent for the nerves.

Apply arnica salve on postoperative legs and ankles.

Apply comfrey tincture lightly on painful areas.

Lady’s slipper tea relieves muscular and nervous disorders after birth pain.

Licorice root is soothing for pain. Pour 1 cup of hot water on 1 tsp. of root powder. Steep for fifteen minutes, sweeten with honey and drink warm.

Alfalfa, valerian, yarrow and feverfew are often effective in chronic pain control. Capsicum, cloves, camomile, slippery elm, burdock root, devil’s claw, white willow, wintergreen, yucca, licorice root, curcumin and echinacea are also helpful. Combination products containing some or all of these herbs are available at most health food stores; use as directed on the label.

Tea tree oil acts as a local anesthetic to relieve pain; apply topically.

Homeopathy

Arnica is generally prescribed for trauma such as shock, concussion, or injury from falls. See related conditions such as angina, cramps, osteoporosis, ovarian cysts and stomach pain for specific homeopathic remedies. Consult an experienced homeopath for recurring or persistent problems.

Tissue Salts

Take 4 tablets under the tongue every hour or two or four times daily as needed. These remedies are not recommended for daily use unless the underlying problem is being treated.

Ferr phos is excellent for inflammatory, congestive pain, that gets worse from motion.

Mag phos is useful for spasmodic, cramping muscles or shooting nerve pains, which feel better with warmth.

Calc phos is recommended for pains associated with numbness and cold; creeping sensations, that are usually worse at night and in cold, wet weather.

Use Kali sulph for pains that wander and shift their location. The pains are worse when overheated and better in open air and with gentle movement.

External/Physical Therapies

Exercise, massage, relaxation techniques, deep breathing, heat therapy, electromagnetic therapy and warm baths help to alleviate pain.

For undefinable pain without inflammation, warm up coarse salt in a frying pan, put in a linen sack and place warm on painful area.

A magnetic cloth is designed for phantom pain of amputated legs or arms, but is also excellent for treatment of lower-back pain, sciatica, fibromyalgia, and rheumatic pains. Wrap the cloth around the painful area and leave on for fifteen minutes until the pain subsides.

Acupressure

For general pain, apply thumb pressure for eight seconds on the upper leg, the crease on the hand between the thumb and the index finger and the point at the tip of the back of the heel, as illustrated.

For pain in the knee, apply thumb pressure for eight seconds on each point, as illustrated.

To help strengthen the knee joint, apply thumb pressure on the inner side of the thigh, above the knee cap, various times daily, then stretch the knee by bending it several times.

Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)

Flax Oil (Flora)

Flax-O-Mega 1000 mg (Flora)

Calcium and Magnesium Citrate (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil 1000 mg (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil Liquid (Natural Factors)

Designer Protein (Next Nutrition)

Myalgia-Force (Prairie Naturals)

Ocean Formula (Scandinavian Naturals)

Herbal Remedies

Pain Away Traditional Pain Remedy (Flora)

Salus Salusan (Flora)

Natural Pain Ease (Natural Factors)

St. John’s Wort Extract (Natural Factors)

Alfalfa Leaves (Nature’s Herbs)

Burdock (Nature’s Herbs)

Cayenne-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Chamomile Flowers (Nature’s Herbs)

Curcumin-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Devil’s Claw Extract (Nature’s Herbs)

Echinacea-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Feverfew-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Licorice Phytosome (Nature’s Herbs)

Slippery Elm Bark (Nature’s Herbs)

Valerian-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

White Willow (Nature’s Herbs)

Willowprin Max (Nature’s Herbs)

Yarrow Flowers (Nature’s Herbs)

Yucca (Nature’s Herbs)

Homeopathy

PNE Liquid Sublingual (Nutra Research International)

External Therapies

Chamomile Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Ginger Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Lavender Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Marjoram Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)