Holistic Approach to Pain Relief

The holistic approach to pain relief focuses on natural remedies. These natural remedies are supported by holistic health research. These natural remedies include herbal products and energy-related therapies.

All pain involves inflammation. Natural anti-inflammation supplements are important to counter inflammation. The primary anti-inflammation supplements include fish oil, flaxseed oil and turmeric. Turmeric can be taken orally. Turmeric can also be applied topically on the skin. Spinkle turmeric on a wet cloth or paper towel and apply it to the area in pain.

For back pain and joint pain, including arthritis pain, try curcumin supplements. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric, a great natural anti-inflammation agent.

For muscle and other pain, consider valerian root, holy basil and St. John's wort supplements along with b complex vitamins, magnesium and fresh ginger. These natural supplements help relax the muscles and body and reduce pain.

Holistic research also indicates the benefits of devil's claw supplements, white willow bark supplements, Cayenne pepper, ginseng and capsaicin supplements. Bromelain and boswellia are also good anti inflammation supplements for pain relief.

For arthritis and joint pain, holistic research indicates the benefits of a combination of glucosamine, chondroitin, methylsulfonylmethane (msm) and dimethyl sulfoxide(dmso) along with valerian root supplements. For the relief of muscle and joint pain, holistic research indicates the benefits of castor oil, turmeric and sea salt applied topically with a wet wash cloth or towel.

For fibromyalgia and the emotional pain of depression, in addition to the supplements mentioned above, holistic research also indicates the benefits of Sam-e, 5-htp and D-3. Also, with fibromyalgia and depression, it is important to eat a high nutrient diet, i.e. a diet that consists primarily of whole fresh vegetables. It is important to eliminate or greatly reduce your consumption of processed foods and refined sugar and starches (gluten) along with saturated fats and trans-fats and GMO.

For fibromyalgia and depression, it is also important to take good sized doses of natural vitamins (a, b complex, c, d3, e, k1 and k2) along with liquid, colloidal trace minerals supplements, co -q 10 and astagalus. Also, try colloidal gold or silver for depression.

For the pain of neuropathy, it is also important to take good sized doses of alpha lipoic acid, natural b complex (especially b1 and b12) and d3 vitamins, magnesium and an amino acid supplement along with cinnamon and turmeric and fish oil or flaxseed oil supplements.

Additional remedies for pain relief include massage, chiropractic care, Reiki and energy therapy and acupuncture. It is also important to exercise and stretch to get energy to flow freely to the location of the pain. Also, take salt baths with lavender essential oil and use relaxing essential oils such as vanilla, rose and floral. Also, use spearmint and peppermint essential oils for pain.

Reduce stress and meditate. Stay heart centered and be in the moment, stop negative and stressful thoughts and thoughts about your pain. Do deep breathing exercises in which you breathe directly into the heart and abdomen and focus on each breath.

Pain is low vibration energy. To help reduce pain, it is important to cultivate inner peace and peace of mind and raise your vibrations. You do this by being in the moment, being happy, having fun, focused on enjoying life and the positive details of work and errands and doing things that make you happy. Here is a visualization exercise that you can do to raise your vibrations to shake of the low vibrations of pain:

Sit or lie down. Get comfortable. Relax. Do some deep breathing. Focus only on your breath. Close your eyes. Hold high vibration crystals in your hand (citrine, amethyst, orgone, clear quartz). Clasp your hands together. Using your applied will, visualize that you push out your energy in front of your torso about 3 to 6 inches from your torso. Do this with the intent to raise your vibrations.

Meditation helps with pain relief. So, will anything you do to distract you from thinking about the pain - i.e., being fully engaged in the moment. Also, look into massage, chiropractors and acupuncture for pain relief.

Headaches can be stress related or migraines. With respect to stress headaches, try natural remedies that help relieve stress such as vitamin B12 and valerian root supplements along with chamolile and passion-flower. Try relaxing scents from essential oils such as vanilla, rose and other floral scents. Try deep breathing exercises and meditation. Have someone send you long distance Reiki. For headache pain also try anti-inflammation supplements discussed above along with fresh ginger. Fresh ginger is also recommended as a remedy for stomach pain.

For chronic headaches and migranes, get cranio-sacral energy healing from a Reiki practitioner. This is hands on energy healing that focuses on the head, sinuses and neck. Cranio-sacral energy healing releases trapped energy in the head and sinuses that result in headaches and helps relieve tension in the neck. The Reiki practitioner will pull trapped energy in your head, through your body and out your feet.

You can also release trapped energy in your head as follows: lie down and focus on deep breaths into your heart. Visualize that you are pulling energy from your head, through your body and legs and out your feet. Hold grounding stones such as boji stones in your left hand while you do this exercise. Also, do the same visualization while you sit up and plant your bare feet on the ground. Visualize that you pull the energy in your head into your body and legs, and push that energy deep into the ground through your feet.

Getting Back to Normal After a Hip Replacement

For almost two years I had trouble with my left hip. I first noticed it hurt to bend down to get the golf ball out of the hole. I found myself relying more and more on the opposite hip. Then the right one began to get sore as well. One day I had to kneel down on the green to pick the ball out of the hole and my friends commented on it. I finally decided to see my doctor. He ordered x-rays taken of both hips and informed me that my left hip should be replaced.

I had the operation and went home to recuperate. The physiotherapist explained to me how important it was to follow the exercise routine outlined in a pamphlet she gave me.

When you have a hip replacement it is imperative not to bend your hip joint more than ninety degrees. Otherwise the ball may jump out of the joint and you will need to go back to the hospital and have it reset. A dislocated hip is not a nice situation to be in. to get ready to use the toilet you should get a seat extender and to put on your socks and shoes you will need some help and you cannot bend the joint that far. Putting your pants on takes the use of a hand gripper. This gadget gives the ability to pick up things like under shorts, socks and anything that falls on the floor.

I found a wonderful gadget for pulling on my socks at a health gadget store. It is a simple flat piece of plastic with a length of tape attached. You simply place the sock on it, toss it on the floor and pull the sock on your foot. Simple and easy.

After a few weeks when your staples are out and the healing is well on the way you should be walking as often as you are able. Walking is great exercise and helps the body heal easily. Everything works when you walk. I always claim that it is the jiggling that gives all of the inner parts of our bodies a good workout. Just like a bowl of jelly.

One by one you will find you will give up the walker for the cane and then the cane itself.. Then you will be able to put on your own socks and pants without the gripper. You will gain confidence with unassisted walking.

What I found to be the slowest part of the recovery was sleeping on the side with the new hip. As I tried I kept the picture of the titanium ball joint stuck into the hip bone for some reason. I kept thinking it would come loose and I would be required to go back into the hospital to have it replaced. It has been seven months now since I had mine done and I am 95% convinced that it will stay together.

I wish you luck with your return to normal after having your hip replaced.

What You Need to Know About Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Are you, or someone you know, considering a Total Hip Replacement? If the answer is yes, than this article is for you. At the age of 52, and just a short three months ago, I underwent Total Hip Replacement surgery. Now, 52 is a relatively young age for this surgery. The majority of patients are in their 70s or 80s. In my case, I just found out I had Congenital (born-with) Hip Dysplasia (the socket wasn't connected like it was supposed to be.) When I learned of the diagnosis I was shocked because it hadn't been a problem previous to the last 5 years or so. I still didn't know it was a problem until the pain got to be so great that I could hardly walk, and even then, I thought it was an issue with my back.

Now, I'm an experience-based expert on the subject. You might be tempted to chuckle because I'm not a surgeon, nor do I specialize in Orthopedics. But really, who better to ask than someone who's been through the process. As such, I'm going to start my discussion with what happens after the diagnosis.

After the Diagnosis
I think one of the most emotionally challenging times in our lives occurs when someone mentions the need for surgery. That's because the thought of being cut into is counter-intuitive. During all other times of our lives, cultural norms have informed us to be careful around knives, scissors, and other sharp objects so that we don't cut ourselves. In the case of surgery, we have the knowledge that we are purposely cut, and because we are cut, pain will follow. So, whether consciously or unconsciously, we now have the stress of knowing that we'll have to endure a period of recovery that will involve pain.

When the surgery involves the replacement of body parts, another layer of emotions is revealed. When the body part being replaced involves a joint, you get to think about the fact that your old, defective part is going to be removed and it will be replaced with a synthetic copy. In my case, I knew my hip joint would be completely removed and replaced with a metal counter-part that would be anchored in my femur bone. A new cap would be nailed to my pelvic bone, and all would be good.

The same emotional triggers are true if you're having something other than a joint replaced. A friend of mine had bladder suspension surgery that involve placing a band of cow tissue under her bladder to help hold it up. My mom had a heart valve replaced with a pig valve. You can only imagine the jokes that followed.

Regardless of the surgery or the repair, there is still a huge emotional aspect that can't be ignored. The sooner the emotion part can be resolved, the better you'll do with the rest of the process.

Preparing for Total Hip Replacement Surgery
You might wonder what I mean when I write, prepare. Believe it or not, there is a lot to do before having this type of surgery. Of course, you have to get all the routine blood work and EKGs completed. For this surgery, you have to go to the dentist and get a dental clearance prior to surgery. Why a dental clearance when it's your hip that's the problem? It turns out that an infection in your mouth could cause damage to the new joint leading to more surgery. Therefore, the surgeon needs to know before he cuts into you that you don't have an infection with potential access to the blood stream. Fake joints are a magnet for infection because metal attracts bacteria. Furthermore, every time you go to the dentist for the rest of your life, you will have to take a preventative round of antibiotics prior to cleaning or any other procedure.

If you're lucky, the hospital ?in which your surgery is scheduled will offer a pre-surgery education program. The program I attended was called "Joint Camp." The name generated a lot of jokes, but the program was invaluable. I spent about 3 hours learning about the surgery itself, what would happened when I woke up, and when I would be expected to get up. The answer to the last question is the day of surgery. Yep, don't expect to be lying around. Joint Camp also educated us about the movement restrictions we would have, some of which are for life. For instance, following hip replacement surgery, you can not cross your leg past mid-line (the invisible line running down the center of your body from the top of your head to the tip of your toes) without the possibility of hip dislocation. You also can't bend from the hip more than 90 degrees, which makes putting shoes and socks on a major challenge. Fortunately, the Joint Camp trainers showed us "the hip kit" we would get post surgery that would assist with some of these challenges. The grabber is extremely helpful when you need to pick something up and you can't bend over. There is also a clever tool that makes it easy to put on socks, as well as a long handled shoe horn for helping with your shoes. As part of your preparation, you'll want to make sure you have some good slip on shoes because you won't be tying your own shoes for a while.

What to Expect After Surgery
When you wake up from surgery, you'll have a foam wedge placed between your legs to keep the new hip in place. Don't worry. You'll take it out when it's time to get up, but you'll need to put it back when you get back into bed. So, plan on sleeping on your back for a while. Your doctor will let know know when you can sleep without the wedge.

The most exciting part of total hip replacement occurs the first time you get up. Sure, you're going to have some post-surgical pain, but the most profound effect is the feeling of a nice strong leg holding you up. For me, the pain from surgery was nothing compared to the pain I'd been experiencing from bone rubbing on bone. It's really important that you walk as much as you can the day after surgery. You have to be able to walk a certain distance (with assistance from a walker) in order to be discharged home. For me, that distance was 100 feet. If you can't walk the distance by the time the doctor is ready for discharge, you'll most likely have to go to an in-patient rehab center until you can.

After You Get Home
When you get home, especially if you are discharged straight home, you will need help! It's a good idea to have a raised toilet seat on hand because you're not going to want to bend all the way down and then get up from a regular toilet seat. You'll also need help getting the TE.D. hose on and off. T.E.D. hose are the lovely white compression stockings you'll have to wear to help prevent blood clots. You will not be able to do it yourself!

You can also expect to take blood thinner medication which will need to be monitored closely. Your hospital case manager will set up a home health service for you which will include a visiting nurse who will check your blood thickness every few days. It will also likely include a physical therapist who will come to your home to help with mobility issues. Welcome both of these services with open arms because your overall outcomes will be better.

Of course there are a lot of individual differences to take into account with every surgery, but for the most part, you should be in better shape than you were before surgery. Don't push yourself too hard and follow All the precautions, but don't convalesce too long either. The more you get up and move, the less likely you'll have problems with clots, and the faster you'll heal. Listen to your body. It will tell you when you've had enough.

Finally, the greatest comfort I had post-surgery was a wonderful, microwaveable heating pad my sister gave me. At ?the end of the day, it was far more comforting than any of the host of pain medications prescribed to me. Use the medications when you need to, especially the first week or so after surgery, but remember, opiate based pain medications cause constipation and a heating pad doesn't.

Discover Symptoms of TMJ and Eagle's Syndrome Here

More and more people are getting afflicted with TMJ syndrome in US and in various other countries of the world. Hence the awareness regarding this affliction is increasing all over the world. Awareness is also increasing regarding its various signs and symptoms and various modes of treatment. In this article we will be discussing the symptoms of TMJ syndrome and how they get mixed up with the Eagle's syndrome.

TMJ syndrome symptoms can range from mild jaw joint pains to severe agonizing headaches, ear pain, tinnitus that can actually lead a person to insanity as a person goes crazy with the hissing, buzzing sound in his/her ears. All though the primary symptoms of TMJ can easily be identified, the secondary or unusual symptoms often prove deceptive. For example, TMJ can sometimes cause light sensitivity or even hazy visions and also pain in and around the eyeballs which is caused due to the inflamed tissues around the affected joint. But these particular symptoms can mislead the medic into looking for the cause in optical problems like Fuchs's dystrophy or keratitis. Similarly, another indirect symptom of TMJ problem is the numbness of the fingers which can also be caused by alcoholic neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, cerevical spondylosis or many other disorders.

However, in the case of TMJ it is caused by the misalignment of the jaws and incorrect bite, which puts undue stress on the muscles associated with the jaws, neck and the shoulder and puts them into spasms. As a result, the nerves that reach to the fingers and hand also get affected and the tingling sensation occurs.

Connection Between The TMJ Syndrome and The Eagle's Syndrome

However, the picture becomes even more complicated and complex when the temporomandibular joint pain is mixed up with the stylomandibular Ligament pain that actually occurs in Eagle's syndrome. The problem in both cases is somewhat similar involving the jaw but in the Eagle's syndrome the main problem is caused by the stylohyoid ligament.

The styloid formation is basically a bone at the skull's base which is further attached with the tendons and muscles to the throat and adjoining body organs. If this bone gets calcified it gets stuck into the jaw or into the throat and causes problem in swallowing. If the case becomes chronic even the simple act of turning the head can lead to serious pain. Eagle's syndrome is a crippling disease that leads to malnutrition and often causes serious weight loss against TMJ syndrome that thought painful is not as oppressive as this.

Eagle's syndrome is also looked upon as a lesser but vital factor in glossopharyngeal neuralgia that can at times turn fatal if accompanied with cardiac problems. It can lead to serious weight loss even when cardiac issues are not present. Any given day, Eagle's syndrome and not TMJ dysfunction is looked upon by medics as an important factor in aggravating glossopharyngeal secondary neuralgia.

For the sake of proper identification we are presenting the symptoms associated with Eagle's syndrome. TMJ pain, eye-ache, sensitive teeth, throat pain which increases during the process of swallowing food and tonillar discomfort and other symptoms of the stylohyoid elongations.

Treatment of Ernest or Eagle's Syndrome is possible through using oral splints, NSAIDs that relieve pain, anesthetic injection locally injected at the affected ligament. Also, radiofrequency thermoneurolysis is proving effective in the treatment of various symptoms of Eagle's syndrome to some measure.

Relief from Eagle's syndrome can also be achieved with the help of Prolotherapy. Prolotherapy works by strengthening the stylomandibular ligament, as most of the associated symptoms occur due to weakness in that area. Prolotherapy is safe and is proving effecting to a great extent in the repair of ligaments and cartilage naturally. It creates a passive inflammation in the damaged ligament and as the body tires to heal through the inflammation Prolotherapy accelerates the healing procedure.

TMJ Cure Through Permanent TMJ Treatment

It is required that immediate relief from the pain and related discomfort should be made available to the TMJ syndrome sufferer. There are many treatment options available in the market which are as varied as surgeries and drugs to over the counter medications, and exercises to home made remedies for TMJ. But the only problem with most of these modes of treatment is that most of them only provide a temporary relief, as they only treat the symptoms and not the actual cause.

Permanent relief from TMJ syndrome can be attained through holistic remedies as they analyze or the underlying causes leading to the problem and eradicate them completely. Once all the root causes are treated the symptoms of course automatically vanish and never get a chance to come back. This reason definitely makes the holistic remedies the best treatment option for the temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

What Is TMJ and How Can My Chiropractor Help

Temporomandibular joint disorder, more commonly referred to as TMJ, is a fairly common problem. Because it affects the area of the mouth, it can be painful at the best of times and even debilitating at the worst of times.

It can be difficult to decide what exactly to do when you are experiencing jaw pain. It is a very specific ailment that many dentists only handle when it is related to teeth and one which doctors may charge you for expensive tests in order to diagnose. The good news is that many TMJ disorders are related to simple problems and are treatable by a chiropractor.

What is TMJ Disorder?

Understanding what is causing the pain is the important first step in deciding what to do. It is often the case that the fear of not knowing what is wrong can contribute to the problem, especially if the problem is related to stress. The numerous muscles which comprise the two joints of the jaw are the source of the pain with TMJ disorder.

The pain is often related to stress issues such as gun chewing or nervously clenching the jaw. This pain may also be accompanied by grinding and popping when the jaw is articulated. However, you must keep in mind that there can be much more serious issues causing TMJ disorder, such as infection or neoplasm in the jaw.

Is TMJ Disorder Dangerous?

TMJ disorder can be a sign of something more severe, such as infection or an impacted tooth causing a misalignment. However, there are also many stress-related and non-medical reasons for TMJ disorder.

Since the mouth is used so often during a regular day, it can be difficult to get the problem to go away on its own. If the pain is directly related to gum chewing or another form of oral fixation, getting the pain to go away can require a lot of mental exercise rather than just physical treatment alone.

What Will My Chiropractor Do?

Chiropractors specialize in working with the connections between muscle and bone in the body, while they are often stigmatized and only working on the back, neck, and limbs. The jaw is still a very intricate connection between bone and tissue, meaning that chiropractors are able to treat many problems associated with jaw pain.

A good chiropractor will always perform a test first to make sure that your problem does not require medical attention first. If it turns out to be something they can treat, they should be able to help you overcome the problem.

You should never rely on your own gut or internet searching to treat any kind of pain. Always visit a professional if you are experiencing signs of TMJ disorder which are not subsiding on their own. If you pay a visit to the chiropractor and they are able to treat your problem, you can go back to a healthy pain-free life without the need for invasive medical treatments.

Common Causes of Chronic Joint Pain

Chronic pain in the joints is a common problem for many people. In fact, it's been estimated that at least one out of every three American adults suffers from some sort of chronic pain in their joints.

Joint pain is generally caused by an inflammation of some kind. Arthritis is possibly the most known about. There are a couple of different types of Arthritis though:

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused from something being wrong with the body's immune system, which causes an inflammation in the joint lining. Osteoarthritis is often caused by working out or weight build too strenuously or incorrectly. With Osteoarthritis, the cartilage covering the ends of your bones deteriorates, and pain is caused from one bone moving against another.

Other medical conditions which cause chronic join pain include Gout, Juvenile arthritis, Spinal arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Bursitis, and Tendonitis.

Since most joint pain problems are caused due to an inflammation of some kind, a common treatment for the pain is to take anti-inflammatory and pain medications such as Motrin, Ibuprofen, or prescription COX 2 inhibitors and NSAIDS. An herbal anti-inflammatory option is White Willow Bark. Keep in mind that these medications treat the symptoms however, not the actual cause of your chronic joint pain problems.

There are several ways you can help reduce the causes of your chronic joint pain however, and if addressed early enough, it might be preventable or eliminated completely.

First you'll need to take a close look at your lifestyle choices. A very common cause of joint pain in the knees for instance, is due to obesity. Carrying a lot of extra body weight will put more strain on your joints and cause chronic pain. So losing even a little bit of weight can help to reduce the joint pain you experience.

If you're on the opposite end of the spectrum and you work out hard and often, this too could be some of the cause for your join pain problems. Many bodybuilders and weight lifters for instance, don't stretch or warm up properly before working out. And many of them don't allow their body time to recuperate, repair and rebuild before their next workout.

Heavy impact style exercising can also cause severe strain on your joints. Step aerobics for instance, or kick boxing, has a jarring effect on your bones and joints which will cause pain. Simply changing to a lower impact style of exercise can help tremendously. Water based exercises are excellent low impact workouts, as is Yoga.

Another simple way to reduce chronic joint pain is to look at other parts of your life. If you're a lady who always wears high heeled shoes, this can cause severe strain on your joints. If you sit at a desk all day and are not using ergonomic solutions for computer use, you'll find yourself with one or more joints constantly hurting. Even sitting in the same position all day, or standing all day can cause chronic joint pain, and these issues can be relieved at least some by simply moving around and changing positions throughout the day.

Last but not least, you need to make sure you're getting the proper amount of vitamins, minerals and supplements each day. Calcium is extremely important for strong bones, and strong bones will help your joints to be strong as well. Omega 3 fatty acids such as those gotten from fish or flax seeds can help your body address and conquer inflammation issues, and glucosamine helps improve joint flexibility, as well as helping to build strong joint cartilage.

Arthritis Pain Relief Creams Eliminate the Dreaded Horse Pills

Arthritis Pain Relief Creams are either gels, patches, lotions or cream. They are applied directly to the painful location by rubbing the product on the skin. What worries a lot of people is the fact that they don't know the difference between arthritis pain and the simple muscle aches and pains. Understand that pain relief gels target different parts of your body and make sure you don't use ben-gay on arthritis joint pain because it targets muscles aches and pains, not arthritis pain.

These products are rubbed onto the skin for arthritis pain relief, which means the deliverability of pain relief will be much faster than trying to swallow a pill and waiting for your digestive system to distribute it to the needed areas. The skin will absorb the cream and allow it to penetrate into deeper layers which then are absorbed into the blood stream.

Ingestible products are absorbed into the blood stream through the walls of the stomach and intestines. Arthritis patients will use one of three different pain relief creams.

The 3 categories are:

• counterirritants


• topical analgesics


• capsaicin.

*Counterirritants

Counterirritants will either make your skin feel warm or cold. The reason they are called counterirritants is because the ingredients will irritate your skin. This hot or cold feeling you get from applying the product to your skin will distract you from the arthritis pain giving you temporary relief.

*Topical analgesics

The best way to describe topical analgesics is to think of it this way: rubbing aspirin into your skin. By rubbing these ingredients into your skin it acts like an anti-inflammatory agent thus reducing the inflammation in the joint.

*Capsaicin

Capsaicin ingredients work extremely fast and will give you a burning sensation. If you have arthritic joints close to the skin (fingers,toes) they will benefit greatly from the use of capsaicin. These creams, lotions and gels work extremely well because they usually contain substance P. This is part of your nervous system and substance P blocks the pain receptors and tricks the brain into thinking everything is A-OK.

In our opinion the arthritis pain relief creams you should be looking at will do the following:

1. counterbalance free radicals

2. assist in healing blood vessels, muscle tissues and cartilage

3. lower inflammation

4. reduce stiffness and aches connected to joint pain.

The arthritis cream products that are found over the counter usually help in one or two areas but it is hard to find one product that can help in all areas to help reduce arthritis joint pain. A couple of ingredients that work well together is Bryonia alba 6x and Rhus toxicodendron 6x.

The two products help reduce stiffness and aches in both muscles and joints . These two products have been used for many years in therapeutic applications at various health related offices and therapy units. We have reached a level of comfort with an occasional day of pain because we have followed this model:

• nutritional supplements


• diet, exercise


• rest

The days that it reaches higher levels of pain, we simply reach for our arthritis pain relief creams and rub it on.

Kind of like that old commercial: "a little dab will do ya".

Both internal and external arthritis products use can greatly assist in reducing your arthritis pain.

Warning: not all products will help you reduce your arthritis pain, but unless you give them a try you will never know. Arthritis pain relief creams do help a lot of people reduce muscle and joint pain but success rates vary. Best wishes to you and your arthritis pain.