The Change Back To Natural Remedies
Our society is at an interesting crossroads in regard to medicine. Many Americans are choosing to use “natural-based” approaches to their healthcare. Even the mainstay of the medical community, the New England Journal of Medicine, has been forced to deal with this phenomenon. They did so by publishing an issue in 1998 which dealt exclusively with alternative medicine. The fact that there interpretations and conclusions in that issue left much to be desired is not the point; what is Important, is that recognition of what is occurring in the United States has reached mainstream medicine. Make no mistake, the medical establishment has sat up and taken notice. That being said, don’t expect the medical community to suddenly become ardent supporters of this new dynamic in healthcare. While alternative medicine is getting a lot of media press, there continues to be as much resistance, and in certain quarters, even more resistance than ever before. There are loud demands from the medical community that “alternative medicine” provide both research and clinical studies as to their effectiveness, and to place themselves under rigorous scientific scrutiny and critiques. This is the same scrutiny that pharmaceutical medicines and medical procedures are subjected to. The stated reason is that “alternative medicine” needs to prove its effectiveness, capabilities, usages, contraindications, toxicity levels, side effects, safety, etc.
While I am very supportive of the need for clinical research, clinical studies and scientific reviews of alternative medicine, I have major reservations as to the validity and findings that may come from such an undertaking. The results will depend on who is doing the research and the clinical studies. There has been extensive research and clinical studies performed on many natural substances and alternative medicine approaches outside of the United States. Research of alternative medicine in this country has been limited because the medical establishment in this country has, for decades, put roadblocks in the way of legitimate research and clinical studies. Would I trust the medical community’s findings concerning alternative medicine. The answer is a resounding NO! But let’s take this a step further and move away from an antagonistic point of view.
According to their own research, approximately 60 to 75 percent of mainstream medical approaches, especially in regard to medicines, are not clinically validated for their effectiveness and usage. Who does the majority of the testing and clinical research on medicines? The pharmaceutical companies which produce them. The very people who have an immense economic interest in recouping the millions of dollars and years of research that they have invested in a particular medicine. This inherent conflict of interest should be obvious. In addition, many medicines are being used for conditions other than what the FDA approved them for. The terrifying aspect of this is that there may be only minimal or limited collaborating clinical research and evidence that validates these medicines for non-FDA approved clinical uses.
I have grave concerns when the established medical community, with their history of oppression of natural approaches, and use of medications and procedures which are invalid by their own standards, are demanding an account of alternative medicine. Make no mistake, I do believe in the need for clinical research demonstrating the virtues of alternative medicine, but it also needs to be performed by those who do not have their own bias and agendas to carry it out.
The good news is that research and clinical studies are being carried out, with a major increase taking place here in the United States. We have even formed a government bureaucracy to regulate and institute policies for alternative medicine, The Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM) which is a part of the National Institute of Health (NIH). Regardless of the political and scientific ramifications, natural approaches are being used by millions of Americans on a day-today basis, many with excellent results, and that number is growing each day.
Natural approaches to pain relief are many and varied. There are natural substances which can directly impact and relieve pain. Examples of these would be DLPA (DL-phenylalanine, an amino acid), glucosamine sulfate, feverfew and white willow bark (herbs). Perhaps even more importantly is the use of natural approaches and substances to resolve underlying conditions which create and cause pain. The first thing to decipher is what the condition is that may be causing the problem and pain. In some cases, this will be obvious; especially if the cause is from injury or trauma to some part of us.
Take a look at this example of a natural approach to injury. Some of the approaches listed in the example you have certainly heard before. While many of you consider it common knowledge to apply ice to an injured area; very few of you may recognize this approach as a ‘natural’ therapy.
As you can see from this scenario, this natural approach provides complete care for an injury to the knee, including direct and indirect pain relief.
But what of other, more serious conditions? Can natural approaches help resolve pain syndromes involved with chronic disease? In many cases the answer is yes.
Lets look at the disease process arthritis. Arthritis literally means “inflamed joints” and there are many different forms it can take. Included in this group is Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Reiter’s Syndrome, Psoriatic Arthritis, Lyme Disease Arthritis, Infectious and Bacterial Arthritis to name a few.
Lets look specifically at Osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent arthritic form. It is an age-related, chronic, degenerative joint disease that is specific to the joints of the body. This means that as we age, there will be progressive degeneration and deterioration of our joints. Generally, this occurs gradually over the years but may occur earlier in life due to traumas, injuries, genetic factors and other reasons. There are many mitigating factors to this degeneration, including those just mentioned and factors such as overall health, diet, exercise, whether a person has a history of smoking, etc. All of these factors will effect the amount and speed of the degenerative processes in the joints. This translates into each individual having their own levels of joint degeneration which may vary greatly from others within the same age group. However, the fact remains that this is an age related degeneration and will occur regardless of other factors.
Osteoarthritis is commonly found in many joints of the body including the spine, hips, knees, ankles and feet, shoulders, elbows, wrist, hands and fingers. Typically the pain associated with osteoarthritis is of a dull, aching nature that is within and/or around the joint. Depending on the level of pain and degeneration within a particular joint, there can be other associated signs and symptoms. These include such things as reduced, limited, altered or restricted range of joint motion, joint stiffness, crackling and popping of the joint (called Crepitus), bony changes within the joint (bony overgrowth, bone spurs, etc.), and altered usage and muscle tone around an affected joint because of pain and these other symptoms. The impact of osteoarthritis is staggering, both in terms of its debilitating effects on older people and its tremendous cost medically. Usage of over-the-counter and prescriptions pain medications as treatment of osteoarthritis is common in traditional medicine. But is there a better way to treat this malady? Absolutely!
There are many natural approaches to osteoarthritis, some which have been used for literally centuries, while others have only become available recently. Many of these, especially the vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes and other supplements, provide overall nutrient needs for general health while also impacting osteoarthritis both directly and indirectly. The previous page features is a brief list of those nutrient substances and herbs that can provide relief for osteoarthritis. See Section Three for more detailed information.
You can see from the number of substances listed that there are many different nutrients and herbs which are known to have a positive impact on osteoarthritis and our joints in general. The key to utilizing these natural substances and alternative approaches is using them in therapeutic doses and matching the specific substances with your individual needs and complaints. While these substances can generally be used safely by the public, it is always a good idea to be evaluated by a health care professional; especially one who is trained in natural approaches and can set up and monitor a natural-based protocol for you.
These are some examples of how natural approaches and alternative medicine can be used to attack our pain and the underlying conditions which cause our aches and pains. In reviewing this material, it must be made clear that treating pain from natural approaches almost always addresses the underlying condition. This is a critical concept and must be understood!
Many people become discouraged when they are unable to manage their pain relief using natural methods. When I review their approach, I typically find a group of common mistakes.
* The first mistake is that they have not been using either the right substances or the correct combination of substances.
* The second mistake is not taking the substances in doses which will elicit a therapeutic response. This is very important and must be approached with caution, under the guidance of a health care professional.
* A third mistake is very common and is usually caused because of a misunderstanding of the time required to get both pain relief and a positive impact on the disease or condition. I have found that many people stop taking the natural substances before they can penetrate their biochemical systems and adequately elicit a response. Unfortunately, this is a difficult problem to overcome because we have been indoctrinated in the concept of “immediate pain relief,” typically by taking an over-the-counter or prescription pain medication.
There are definitely natural substances which can provide immediate pain relief. However, these are most often used with other substances that will address the resolution of the underlying condition. This important concept, as I have previously stated, it is critical for any long term pain relief. With this in mind, lets look at the other ways we seek to achieve pain relief.
Example of a Natural Approach to Injury
You hurt your right knee as a result from falling onto the knee after tripping over a curb. There is pain in the right knee, a scrape to the skin with a bruise over the kneecap and mild swelling, all from the impact of the right knee with the pavement.
1. Clean the knee and surrounding tissue with witch hazel liquid (an antiseptic) to remove debris and blood.
2. Inspect the knee for damage.
3. If there is mild or moderate bruising and/or swelling…
A. Apply ice to the knee and keep it elevated.
B. Remove the ice, and apply calendula gel and arnica gel to the knee to speed healing, reduce pain, bruising and swelling.
4. If the swelling is profound…
A. Wrap the knee in an ace bandage to apply compression and support to the knee.
B. Take white willow bark and bromelain orally, two capsules 2-3 times per day for pain control and as an anti-inflammatory. If you have a stomach condition such as an ulcer or chronic gastritis, an alternate natural substance may be needed.
C. During the initial 24 to 48 hours, limit your activities, rest the knee and keep it elevated as much as possible.
If this injury is only a simple contusion or mild sprain/strain to the knee, it will heal itself within a few days.
If the pain and other symptoms do not resolve within 4-7 days, you will need to follow up with a health care professional for evaluation of the knee to assess further damage.
Natural Approaches for Osteoarthritis
Vitamins:
Vitamin A, beta carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, all the B-vitamins, especially B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), Folic acid, and Vitamin K.
Minerals and Trace Elements:
Calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, silica, boron, manganese, and selenium.
Enzymes: (proteolytic and digestive)
Bromelain, pancreatin, amylase, lactase, lipase, papain, pepsin, betaine HCl, and protease.
Other Supplements:
Glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, MSM, NAG N-acetylglucosamine), SOD (Superoxide dismutase), coenzyme Q-10, DMG (Dimethyiglycine), bioflavonoids, germanium, pycogenol, grape seed extract, DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA), L-cysteine, shark cartilage, sea cucumber, primrose oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, borage oil, etc.
Herbs:
Alfalfa, garlic, cat’s claw, feverfew, ginger, cayenne (capsicum), wintergreen, white willow bark, white oak bark, boswellia, brigham, burdock root, celery seed, corn silk, devil’s claw, horsetail, nettle, parsley, yucca, etc.
Section II
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20. Balch, J.F., M.D., and Balch, P.A., Prescription For Nutritional Healing, 2nd Ed.; Garden City Park, New York: Avery Publishing Group, 1997.
21. Christopher, J.R., School Of NaturalHealing, Springville, UT: Christopher Publications, Inc., 1976.
COPYRIGHT 1999 B.L. Publications
COPYRIGHT 2007 Gale Group
Tags: medicine, National Institute of Health, natural-based, Osteoarthritis