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Free Pain Relief Newsletter
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F. Batmanghelidj, M.D., says that
many types of pain are due to chronic dehydration in the body. .
(1) Drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day can help reduce
pain all over the body. It helps flush out toxins, lubricates
and cushions your joints, helps relieve congestion and keeps your
body in balance.
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Foods
Can Help Reduce Pain
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According to Neal Barnard, M.D.,
author of several books on the healing properties of foods, certain
foods are excellent painkillers, especially green leafy vegetables
and beans. The following foods help cool the body's
inflammatory response, act as analgesics on pain nerves and work
within the brain to reduce sensitivity. (2)
| apples |
apricots |
avocados |
bananas |
| beans |
beets |
berries |
broccoli |
| cabbage |
cantaloupe |
carrots |
cauliflower |
| celery |
chard |
cherries |
cucumber |
| currants |
dates |
figs |
garlic |
| ginger |
grapes |
kale |
lettuce |
| mangoes |
melons |
mushrooms |
olives |
| papaya |
parsley |
peaches |
pears |
| peppers |
potatoes |
pumpkin |
radish |
| raisins |
soybeans |
spinach |
squash |
| sweet
potatoes |
turnips |
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MSM is not a medicine, a drug or a
food additive: it is a food. (Methylsulfonylmethane) is an
organic form of sulfer which can be found primarily in fruits,
vegetables, meat, milk and seafood. It offers a natural way to
reduce pain without serious side effects.
MSM has shown a remarkable ability to reduce or eliminate muscle
soreness and cramps. People with arthritis report substantial
and long-lasting relief with MSM supplements. Taken along with
glucosamine, MSM can relieve pain and help repair worn or damaged
cartilage in joints with healthy, flexible new cells. (3)
Calcium and magnesium
are the two minerals most often recommended for treating pain.
Calcium is recommended for arthritis, more as a preventive than as a
painkiller. Recently, the American Journal of Obstetrics and
Gynecology reported that pain from pre-menstrual syndrome was reduce
by half in women given supplemental calcium. (4)
This mineral, which is
found in soybeans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fish,
has long been valued in treating migraines because it acts as a
muscle relaxant. It is considered one of the most
promising nutrients in headache research. (5) In a 1996 German
study of 81 migraine patients published in the headache journal Cephalgia,
41.6 percent of subjects taking oral magnesium reduced both the
duration and intensity of migraine attacks. They also reduced
their reliance on medications to control their migraines. (6)'
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Glucosamine
and Chondroitin
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Glucosamine sulfate has
been shown to be effective in reducing arthritis pain, which may be
due to its ability to repair joints. (7) Used together,
glucosamine and chondroiten can reduce joint pain and may help build
new cartilage, according to a study at Boston University School of
Medicine. The treatment worked so well for Jason Theodosakis,
M.D., who suffered from severe osteoarthritis, that he is now
medication free.
American researchers
suggest that a combination of magnesium taurate and fish oil may
help prevent migraine headaches, based on the ability of both to
reduce blood vessel spasms. (8)
A 1997 study showed that
gamma-linolenic (GLA) and alpha-linolenic (ALA) fatty acid
supplements reduced the severity, frequency and duration of total
migraine attacks by 86 percent. During the six month study, 22
percent of the 169 patients no longer had migraine attacks, and 90
percent experienced less nausea and vomiting. (9)
This anti-inflammatory
action of arnica can be used topically to ease the pain of bruises
and sprains.
Calendula is an
excellent herb for most skin disorders, including diaper rash, sun
burns, bruises and insect stings and bites. It has a soothing
effect on irritated skin by reducing inflammation and combating
infection.
Cayenne contains
capsaicin, which stimulates the brain to secrete endorphins that
help block pain signals. A recent trial showed that cayenne
helped reduce arthritis pain (10)
Chamomile contains bisabolol,
which has anti-inflammatory properties and relaxes the muscle lining
of the digestive tract. Several studies indicate that
chamomiles is a good digestive aid.
Feverfew prevents and
treats migraine headaches by inhibiting the production of
inflammatory substances. In a 1988 randomized double-blind,
placebo-controlled study reported in Lancet, feverfew
treatment was associated with reduction in the mean number and
severity of migraine attacks. (11)
An herb that is reported
to stimulate blood circulation, which helps to heal skin irritations
such as cuts, insect bites and stings and bruises. It is a
strong antioxidant and is an effective anti-microbial agent for
sores and wounds.
Ginkgo biloba extracts
have been shown to reduce leg pain (12)
Peppermint can be used
to soothe digestive pain. "Peppermint is probably our
best-known remedy for stomach problems," says herb researcher
Daniel B. Mowrey. It owes its healing power to an
aromatic oil called menthol.
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Some
Foods May Increase Pain
(Try to
avoid or limit them)
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The worst
include
| alcohol |
coffee |
chocolate |
citrus
fruits |
| corn |
dairy |
eggs |
meat |
| nuts |
salt |
sugar |
wheat |
| tea |
barley |
oats |
rye |
Also....
| asparagus |
barley |
bread |
brussel
sprouts |
| butter |
cake |
candy |
canned fruit |
| chickpeas |
coconuts |
cookies |
cornflakes |
| cornmeal |
crackers |
doughnuts |
dressings |
| ice cream |
jams &
jellies |
oatmeal |
onions |
| pasta |
pastries |
pickles |
pies |
| pizza |
sodas |
tea |
tomatoes |
Try not to slouch or
bend forward when sitting or standing. Maintaining
good posture helps reduce strain on your muscles.
Use chairs, desks and
equipment that support your back and help you maintain good
posture.
Sitting for long
periods of time can increase tension in your body, especially on
your back. The longer you sit, the worse it can get.
Get up at least once every hour and move around a bit.
Change positions frequently during the
day. Break up tasks (such as driving for long periods
of time) into shorter segments.
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Bend
Your Knees When Lifting or Carrying
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Try to avoid lifting
or carrying heavy objects. When you do lift, bend your
knees and carry the object against your body. Bend your
knees when you put the object down. Do not bend straight
over, turn or twist to pick something up.
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Choose
A Comfortable Mattress
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Test your
mattress. Lie on your back and slide your hand under your
lower back. If there is large gap, your mattress may be too
hard. If you have to squeeze your hand in, it is probably
too soft. If your hand slides in fairly easily, the mattress
is probably just right for you.
References
1. Batmanghelidj,
F., M.D., Your Body's Many Cries For Water, Global Health
Solutions, 1997.
2. Barnard, Neal, M.D., Foods That Fight Pain.
Harmony Books, 1998.
3. Total Health 1998. "MSM".
Feb/Mar., Vol. 20, No. 1. pp. 30-31.
4. Calcium Helps PMS, Study Shows, Natural Healthline
Web site: (www.naturalhealthonline.com).
5. Batchelder H., PMS Naturally, Rocklin, CA,
Prima Health, 1998.
6. Piekert A., et al, "Prophylaxis of migraine with
oral magnesium: results from a prospective multicenter,
placebo-controlled and double blind randomized study".
Cephalagia 1996;16:257-63.
7. Kelly, G.S., The role of glucosamine sulfate and
chondroitin sulfates in the treatment of degenerative joint
disease. Alt Med Rev, 1998; 3(1):27-39.
8. McCarty, M.F., Magnesium taurate and fish oil for
prevention of migraine. Medical Hypothesis 1996
Dec; 47(6):461.
9. Wagner W, Nootbaar-Wagner U. Prophylactic treatment
of migraine with gamma-linolenic and alpha-linolenic acids.
Cephalagia 1997 Apr:17(2)127-130.
19. Milla SY, Jacoby RK, Chacksfield M, Willoughby M.
Effect of a proprietary herbal medicine on the relief of chronic
arthritis pain: a double blind study. Br. J. Rheumatol.
1996; 35(9):8740878.
11. Murphy JJ, et al. Randomized double-blind
placebo-controlled trial of feverfew in migraine prevention.
Lancet 1988 Jul 23;2(8604):189-92.
12. Drabaek, H., Petersen, J.R., Weinberg N., Hansen, K.F.,
Mehlsen, J. The effect of ginkgo biloba extract on patients
with intermittent claudication. Ugeskr Laeger,
1996; 158(27): 3928-393
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