Chronic Pain

Rajgopal Venkataraman asked:




Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than six months at a stretch and there is nothing more debilitating than chronic pain. Chronic pain affects millions of people the world over. It can affect an individual at any time in life and in most cases it often long outlives the actual cause of pain. In the long run chronic pain is destructive to the body. Over time not only does the pain worsen but also unleashes a cascade of hormones like Cortisol which in turn destroys the immune systems and kidneys.

Most people with chronic pain inevitably resort to a gamut of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Piroxicam amongst others. These drugs have been implicated in causing serious gastrointestinal bleeding from ulcers, liver dysfunction and renal failure when taken for long duration (unfortunately most people with chronic pain do take them for long periods). The newer agents called as COX-II Inhibitors (Celecoxib, Rofecoxib, Valdecoxib) are marginally better in their gastrointestinal safety profile but have come under flak with some of them having been withdrawn from the markets due to serious cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Thus the answer to chronic pain? Nothing safe though several are effective.

Chronic pain is very closely linked to depression because both conditions share the same neuronal circuits in the brain. Serotonin and Endorphins that regulate a healthy brain functioning also regulate depression. Chronic pain results in depletion of Serotonin from the neuronal cells leading to an aggravation of depression. In fact many physicians treat chronic pain with the same drugs used to treat depression. Chronic pain sufferers respond with increased pain to stressful stimuli.

Some common causes of Chronic Pain include: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, stiff joints, tendonitis, neck pains, low back pains, muscle and joint pains, carpal tunnel syndrome, shingles and pinched nerves and sprains. Cancer pain can be chronic but responds significantly only to Morphine-like drugs.

The pharmaceutical cupboard for the management of chronic pain is virtually threadbare and search is on for the ideal pain-killer. Is there anything natural that is not only effective but safe as well? Many herbs have the propensity to relieve pain while leaving the body intact! Some of these herbs include:

1. White Willow (Salix sp): The bark of this stately white willow has been used for centuries in China to relieve pain and lower fevers. The active ingredient is Salicin which the body converts to Salicylic acid. Thus the white willow is often called as the “herbal aspirin”. At a cellular level the white willow helps lower the levels of Prostaglandins (a powerful chemical released at sites of pain and inflammation) and thus reduces pain and inflammation. People with arthritis who have used the bark of white willow have reported dramatic changes in pain intensity and also improved mobility after few weeks of use.

2. Lobelia inflata: Lobelia is a very powerful muscle relaxant and is rich in Vitamin A, C and Manganese. Lobeline, an active ingredient, stimulates the nervous system. Lobelia has helped treat mild depression, calm frayed nerves, ease muscle tension and reduce pain and inflammation.

3. Boswellia serrata: Also known as Indian Frankincense, the gummy resin of its bark called as salaai guggal has been known from centuries to help fight pain and inflammation. Boswellia is known to block the entry of inflammatory cells to the sites of inflammation, improve blood flow to sites of inflammation and block the pre-inflammatory chemicals. Boswellia has proven its merits in the management of pain in conditions like arthritis, in reducing inflammatory process in Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Boswellia can be used both orally and also topically over the sites of pain and inflammation.

A combination of the white willow, Lobelia and Boswellia would be an ideal pain-killer that has the same efficacy (but without the potentially lethal side effects) as conventional pain-killers.

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Martha Gesegnet asked:




Ayurveda offers us many tools and techniques to permanently reverse and heal chronic illness and pain. I personally used them to completely reverse thirteen years of chronic pain and in my holistic nursing practice my clients have had tremendous success.

The ceremony of Tarpana is focused on releasing emotions that have been repressed or stored in our subconscious mind, we aren’t really aware that we are carrying them around with us. By doing Tarpana you bring the old patterns to the surface where they can be released. Once this occurs that energy is no longer stored in the cellular memories and the body is free to heal the pain on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Often when people have exhausted all other avenues for relieving chronic illness or pain, they find the break through they were looking for with Tarpana. Unfortunately, western medicine rarely acknowledges these ancient healing techniques as valid or effective. Yet, when patients return to their medical doctor with stories of their healing and success, the doctors remark, “If it’s working, keep doing whatever you are doing “.

While it’s true that foods, lifestyle, vitamins, herbs and even medications are important healing modalities to be embraced, modern and holistic medicine alike should acknowledge that our thoughts and feelings may be the most powerful factor in our well-being.

The Tarpana ceremony helps to release our family and ancestors from any negative energies we may be carrying, unknowingly. In Hawaiian and Native American cultures this is a common ceremony. In the Catholic religion it has been customary to visit the cemetery of ancestors on All Souls Day to have conversations and offer a plate of food to them. In this gesture the idea is to release any stored emotions and feelings, in an attempt to “clear the air” and move forward.

I often refer to the theory behind this modality by explaining, “the issues are in the tissues”. Once the issues are released the body is in the best position for self healing. There are numerous Ayurveda practitioners who can work with you to facilitate Tarpana. After a few sessions, with a trained practitioner, you may feel competent and comfortable doing the ceremony for yourself in a quiet, comfortable space in your home.

Most important is that you are now aware that there are techniques you can learn that can completely reverse cronic pain. There is no reason to live with chronic pain.

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Tam Carson asked:




If you suffer migraines or chronic headaches, you are not alone. In fact, you’re in good company. A migraine is only one type of headache. In the United States alone, 24 million people suffer with migraines with 75% of them being women.

Another, powerful statistic: 1 out of 13 people over the age of 15 wake up with a morning headache. Women are twice as likely to experience depression and/or anxiety disorders as men. If you experience depression or anxiety, you are twice as likely to wake up with a headache.

Depression and chronic pain go hand in hand. All of these statements point to the fact that millions of men and even more women in the United States endure headaches, chronic pain, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. It is simply distressing to read these facts. We are suffering both physically and emotionally with pain and moods that take away the joy of daily living.

As a woman with fibromyalgia, I have made it a personal project to learn about herbal therapies to help myself manage my own headaches and chronic pain. As a nurse, I feel compelled to share alternative therapies that can ease the pain of migraine and help us manage the stress of daily living that triggers migraine headaches, muscle aches and depression.

What choices do we have other than prescriptions and over the counter medication to treat migraine headaches and chronic pain?

Essential oils and aromatherapy offer a great deal of comfort for migraine sufferers.

The most familiar herbal fragrances of all, lavender, naturally soothes the mind and body.

If you wake up with headaches or suffer with migraines, the sweet aroma of lavender is a safe, natural way to relax muscle tension and ease migraine pain. Because depression is often associated with chronic pain and headaches, lavender’s natural ability to lift mild depression makes this essential oil valuable to your mental as well as physical health.

Lavender as an alternative herbal remedy

Lavender can be used for headaches, migraines and sore muscle relief. Lavender eases joint stiffness and helps us cope with chronic pain. Interestingly enough, lavender has antiseptic qualities and even repels insects naturally.

Lavender is one of the only 2 essential oils that can be used directly on skin with no dilution!

Simply apply a few drops of essential lavender oil to your temples when you start to feel tension around your head, neck or shoulders. Migraine suffers may experience an aura that signals a migraine. Essential oil of lavender may not prevent the actual onset of the migraine but it can help you relax your muscles and emotional tension that could trigger the migraine pain.

Lavender and easing migraine pain

A lavender eye pillow is recommended for the relaxing, soothing aromatherapy qualities of the lavender. Lavender promotes relaxation and more restorative sleep. Studies in hospitals and nursing homes found that patients exposed to the scent of lavender fell asleep faster, deeper and longer.

Flax seed mixed with the lavender help the eye pillow to rest across the brow, eyes, cheekbones and temples with gentle weight that blocks out light while applying pressure to ease the headache pain. Flax seed reducing inflammation and helps reduce puffiness around the eyes.

A lavender eye pillow with flax seed can be warmed for tension headaches or chilled for migraine headache. Rather than fall asleep in the throes of a migraine, start to relax by laying in cool quiet darkness with a few drops of essential oil of lavender on your pillow case and an eye pillow in place. The cool pressure of the eye pillow mixed with relaxing properties of lavender could help bring on both migraine relief and restorative sleep.

Lavender and workplace stress

The use of lavender in the workplace may help you handle workplace stress, relax under pressure and focus better.

Lavender is one of the essential oils tested in studies which showed that the participants relaxed with lavender aromatherapy and were more focused to solve problems and although slower with math computations, fewer errors were noted.

A sprig of lavender, bowl of potpourri or essential oil drops of lavender applied near warmth will help you relax, focus and be more productive in the workplace. If you work in a hectic environment that doesn’t give you an office then a lavender body mist or small vial of lavender’s essential oil that you can keep in your pocket may just do the trick!

Lavender and depression

Lavender is not a cure or treatment for depression BUT we have discovered that pain, poor sleep, anxiety and chronic pain are associated with depression.

Lavender brings a natural relaxed state that helps us cope better with life’s aggravations. Studies have shown that in healthy non-depressed individuals, the aroma of lavender does have the ability to gently elevate our moods.

Whether you are currently suffering with depression or simply feeling down, remember that your physician is the best person to discuss treatment medical for depression.

Taking herbal tea baths and burning lavender candles are a part of taking care of ourselves that does not require a prescription or cost a great deal of money. Lavender infused bath and body products provide a natural stress reducer that can lift mild depression and clear our minds so we can work through problems more effectively.

Lavender and insomnia

Restorative sleep is a must for everyone. Struggling with insomnia or frequent waking during the night does nothing but aggravate us the next day!

The scent of lavender promotes relaxation and helps you sleep better overall. Studies in hospitals and nursing homes found that patients exposed to the scent of lavender fell asleep faster, deeper and longer.

Poor sleep is one known cause of morning headaches and can trigger migraine headaches. Grinding your teeth, muscle tension especially around the face and neck are common causes of morning headaches. Keeping a small bowl of lavender in your bedroom and light misting of bed linens will help you relax before you fall asleep.

Lavender and anxiety

Generalized anxiety disorder is an increasing problem for millions of Americans. Anxiety and depression plagues us as we struggle to cope with life’s challenges. It’s commonly known that anxiety expresses itself with racing thoughts and a pounding heartbeat but one of the first signs of anxiety is the inability to think clearly. Mental stress that leads to anxiety will make our minds cloudy and solving life’s problems becomes a mountain of anxiety.

Possible causes, triggers of headaches and chronic pain

poor sleep
muscle tension
depression
inadequate hydration and nutrition
hormone imbalance
immune dysfunction
poor coping skills

At first glance of possible triggers for headaches, it’s no wonder millions suffer with migraines, headaches, depression and chronic pain.

eat healthy
drink 8-10 glasses of water each day
explore natural ways to alleviate hormone imbalances
monitor your blood pressure to make sure your headaches aren’t a symptom of high blood pressure
talk to your doctor about feelings of depression and anxiety
each day, find time to do something special for yourself
go for a fifteen minute walk
light a candle
write in a journal
spend time with friends
surround yourself with such relaxing scents as lavender to ward off headaches and chronic pain

The scent of lavender has tendency to slow down our minds and bodies. We relax. Our brain responds positively to lavender. We are soothed.

Simply surrounding our senses with lavender can help us cope with life’s nagging problems.

Lavender helps us sleep better at night and relax under pressure in the work place. Relaxing before you fall asleep can prevent you from waking up with a morning headache. Essential oil of lavender and lying in a dark cool room with a chilled eye pillow can ease migraine pain.

Your boss getting you frazzled? Overwhelmed by the daily grind? Fighting chronic depression? Sense a migraine coming on? Got an ache in your shoulders and a stiff neck from sitting at a computer all day?

Stop thinking that suffering with migraines and headaches is simply a part of life.

Start taking care of yourself every day in ways that make you feel calm and prepared to ENJOY life! Fill your life with lavender and other essential oils that can create a sense of well-being not found in traditional medicine. Learn how to manage your migraines and chronic headaches before they start to control you.

Infuse lavender in your life to ease migraine headaches, depression, insomnia, anxiety and chronic pain naturally!

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