The Zimmerman Files: Responding to Pain
By Marcia Zimmerman, CN, a respected author and educator in the field of health and nutrition. July, 2009. This article explores natural therapies, diet, and supplements for relieving pain.
We are the only creatures on Earth who can change our biology by what we think and feel!
According to medical authorities, pain is the most common complaint that sends patients to health practitioners. Approximately 35% of Americans have some element of chronic pain, and approximately 50 million are disabled, at least partially, because of it. Chronic pain is reported more often in women. (1) As we shall see, there is a strong connection between hormone levels and pain.
Chronic pain syndrome describes a constellation of ill-defined symptoms that respond poorly to the medical model of care. In order to qualify as “chronic” some time must have passed since the onset of pain symptoms. Some doctors suggest that any pain persisting longer than the expected healing time should be classified as “chronic.” Others insist three to six months of continuing pain distinguishes it from acute pain. (2)
Since chronic pain doesn’t respond well to standard treatment, what other options do patients have? Enter psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), a new medical discipline that not only helps define pain, but also uses the interconnectedness of mind and body to effectively respond to pain.
Back to the Future?
The connection between psychosomatic disorders and disease is not new, dating back to the 1940’s. However, the future of pain treatment lies in tapping into the connection between stress, inflammation, pain, aging, and a host of chronic diseases. PNI allows us to change our symptoms by what we think and feel. (3) By understanding the mind/body connection through PNI we can deal more effectively with any source of “pain.”
Physical discomfort is not the only way we experience pain. It is also painful just to think about surgery or facing possible injury. Care giving, death, separation, and bereavement all give us real pain. Just the thought of personal or material loss is painful – hurts just as much as physical injury – and engenders the same kind of PNI response.
The natural approach in responding to pain, regardless of its source, is the same. Audio tapes, meditation, prayer, inspirational reading, positive and motivational programs, music, dance, yoga, and exercise all tap into our emotions and feelings. (4,5) Adopting some of these simple habits helps alleviate pain, quiets the immune response, and balances out hormonal response to pain. Thus, PNI therapy goes a long way to keeping you healthy and resistant to disease.
Pain Relieving Therapies
Acupuncture is increasingly used as an alternative therapy for alleviating pain. However, the value of acupuncture is still controversial among doctors. Does acupuncture really work? To find out, a large German study of 1162 patients aged 18 to 86 years compared the pain-relieving effects of meridian point acupuncture according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), “sham” (non-meridian point acupuncture) and conventional medical treatment for low-back pain.
Patients in the acupuncture groups underwent ten 30-minute sessions spread over five weeks. Primary outcome was assessed six months after treatment. Patients in both acupuncture groups had their pain reduced by 50 percent. Only one quarter of those receiving conventional treatment experienced pain relief. (6) A review of published studies by Doctors Eisenberg and Kaptchuk of the NIH center for alternative and complimentary medicine (CAM) revealed that massage, spinal manipulation and acupuncture were all found to be effective for persistent back pain. (7)
The use of CAM therapies is an acceptable option for many afflicted with chronic pain, according to a group of British researchers who investigated patient practices. (8) According to the Centers for Disease Control, most arthritis patients in both primary and specialty settings have reported current use of alternative therapies. (9,10) Accordingly, acupuncture in its different forms appears to be a viable option for pain relief.
Diet and Supplements to Relieve Pain
A colorful healthy diet is the mainstay for eliminating pain. A complete 30-day plan for stocking a healthy pantry, meal planning, shopping, cooking and dining, are outlined in my self-help book 7-Color Cuisine. The simple how and why of eating well is made easy with NOW University’s video course based on my book, www.now-university.com/Classes/index.htm
You can also get a more detailed natural program for relieving pain by joining my webinars. The May 18th presentation was Responding to Pain and the presentation materials are available in the webinar archives, www.now-university.com/Webinars/archives/index.htm.
Among the topics I discussed in this webinar are gluten intolerance, foods to avoid, and use of digestive enzymes. Pain relieving supplements discussed are L-tryptophan, capsaicin, boswellin, and curcumin. Supplements to tackle antioxidants and protect DNA include beta carotene and astaxanthin. Finally I discussed methods for restoring joint health including collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. I invite you to tap into these excellent resources.
References:
- White, K.P.; Harth, M. “The Occurrence and Impact of Generalized Pain”.
- Singh, M.K.; Patel, J.; “Chronic Pain Syndrome” Medscape eMedicine Specialties April 21, 2009.
- Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K.; McGuire, L.; et. al. “Psychoneuroimmunology and Psychosomatic Medicine: Back to the Future” Psychosomatic Medicine 2002;64:15-28.
- Pert, C.; Molecules of Emotion New York, NY Touchstone 1997. pp. 22,23, 161, 182 183,269.
- Chou, R. Huffman, L.H.; “Nonpharmacologic Therapies for Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Review of the Evidence for an American Pain Society/American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline.” Ann Intern Med 2007;147:492-504.
- Haake, M.; et al.; “German Acupuncture Trials (GERAC) for Chronic Low Back Pain” Arch Intern Med 2007;167:1892-1898.
- Eisenberg, D.N.; Kaptchuk, T.J.; “A Review of the Evidence for the Effectiveness, Safety, and Cost of Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, and Spinal Manipulation for Back Pain” Ann Intern Med 2003;138:898-906.
- Sherman, K.J.; et. al.; “Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies for Chronic Low Back Pain: What Treatments are Patients Willing to Try?” BMC Comp Altern Med 2004;4:9. BioMed Central.
- Callahan, L.F.; et. al.; “Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Patients With Arthritis” Centers for Disease Control.
- Herman, C.J.; et. al.; “Use of Complementary Therapies Among Primary Care Clinic Patients With Arthritis” Centers for Disease Control.