Pain & Inflammation Quick Guide
See also detox products

We all have aches and pains now and then, but for some of us, back pain, headaches, stiffness and aches are a way of life. In fact, the most commonly purchased over-the-counter drugs are pain killers. These drugs are considered by many to be one of the greatest "miracles" of modern medicine. Perhaps they are. After all, no normal human being likes to be in pain.

However, pain is not altogether evil. If you touch a hot stove, the pain informs you that you are injuring your body and causes you to jerk your finger away. It also serves as a reminder not to make the same mistake again. Pain is a message that something is wrong in our body and needs to be corrected.

Let's examine the possible causes

1. DEHYDRATION

Try drinking at least 1/2 oz. of pure water per pound of body weight/day.
Select a water with a pH of 7.2 or 7.4 (Celtic or Evian for ex.)

2. OXIDATIVE STRESS - INFLAMMATION

Pain is nearly always linked with inflammation. Chronic inflammation is often caused by oxidative stress. Inflammation is a natural process designed to sequester a damaged area, trigger an immune reaction to draw white blood cells to the area and evoke pain. The pain tells us something is wrong and encourages us to not use and further irritate the damaged area so it will have time to heal.
Since fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants, people suffering from chronic pain should adopt a diet that is at least 60-70% fresh fruits and vegetables. Some people have found that a temporary diet of 100% fresh fruits and vegetables eliminated chronic pains.

Suggestions
1. Drink water with a pH of 7.4 or higher PLUS Liquid chlorophyll ES. Helps alakalyse your tissues... very impotant!
2. You can also consider an antioxidant supplement, such as Thai-Go or Curcumin BP or Super ORAC
3. Super Omega-3 EPA has helped ease pain and inflammation.

3. MUSCLE TENSION
Muscle tension may be brought on by fatigue, stress, poor posture or repetitive movements over along period of time. For example, many people who work long hours at a computer get chronic tension in their upper back, neck and shoulders, which can lead to neck pain, back pain and headaches.
If muscle tension is causing your pain, make sure you are getting enough rest and taking periodic breaks from repetitive tasks to stretch and relax. Adopting better posture while sitting or standing will also help.
Bodywork, such as chiropractic adjustments or massage therapy, has eased this type of pain for many people.

Suggestions
1. Magnesium Complex: try taking 2-4 capsules daily.
2. Lobelia extract applied topically, along with topical analgesics (see below), can also help.

4. TOXICITY (Detox page here) - STAGNATION

In traditional Chinese medicine pain is seen as a sign of stagnation. When there is a lack of blood bringing oxygen to the tissues and a lack of good lymphatic drainage allowing an accumulation of acid and waste around the cells, cells cry for help by sending pain signals to the brain.
Massage improves lymphatic drainage and brings blood and oxygen to the tissues. Massage can be even more effective in relieving pain when you also apply a topical analgesic like those listed below. Deep breathing can also be helptful.

Suggestions
1. Doing a periodic cleanse, such as the CleanStart or Tiao He Cleanse has been helpful in reducing chronic pain for many people.
2. Pain is often due to a lack of oxygen in the tissues and deep breathing not only increases oxygen in the body, it also moves lymph. Walking or swimming helps increase lymphatic drainage. Gentle bouncing on a mini-tranpoline while deep breathing is an excellent way to move lymph and has proven very effective in reducing many kinds of chronic pain.

ANALGESICS

Most over-the-counter pain relievers are anti-inflammatories. This makes sense, since inflammation is almost always associated with pain.
There are two basic types of anti-inflammatories: steroidal and non-steroidal (NSAIDs). These drugs have many long-term side effects. However, there are many natural substances with similar anti-infiammatory properties, and a reduced risk of side effects.
Nature’s original NSAIDs are salicins or salicylates which are found in herbs such as willow bark, black cohosh and wintergreen. Aspirin was based on this compound. The herbs containing these natural anti-inflammatory compounds are a milder in their ability to ease pain, but they are effective and safer for long term use.

Corticosteroid drugs mimic the action of a hormone called cortisol produced by the adrenal glands. Many people suffering from chronic pain are also suffering from chronic stress and adrenal burnout. So, supporting the adrenal glands will often help relieve chronic pain.

APS II Pain and anti-inflammatory substitute for aspirin. This nervine combination is helpful for aches and pains due to nervous and muscular tension.   Adrenal Support This combination is a synergistic blend of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and adaptogenic herbs designed to support and strengthen the adrenal glands.

Suggestions
1. APS II with White Willow Bark is a traditional “herbal aspirin” formula containing willow bark, valerian and capsicum. Besides having an anti-inflammatory effect, it stimulates circulation and relaxes tense muscles, which also helps to ease pain. The capsaicin in capsicum also blocks substance P, the neurotransmitter that signals pain.
2. Licorice root has a cortisol sparing action and is a natural anti-inflammatory. Other herbs that have a cortisol-like pain
relieving action include wild yam and yucca. Yucca is often helpful for chronic muscle and joint pain, while wild yam is better at easing pains in the digestive tract and pelvis.
3. Adrenal Support may also be needed if the person is suffering from chronic stress and burnout.

TOPICAL ANALGESICS

Natural analgesics often work faster and more effectively when applied directly to painful joints or muscles. They are even more effective when used as part of a pain-relieving massage, which stimulates blood flow and lymphatic drainage.

MSM is anti-inflammatory and promotes tissue healing, while glucosamine helps with cartilage damage. When used regularly several times daily, this team is not just a temporary measure to ease pain; it actually helps joints heal, especially when coupled with better hydration, dietary changes and other natural healing techniques.

Suggestions
1. The Tei Fu oil blend is a wonderful topical analgesic. It contains wintergreen, a source of natural salicylates, which eases pain when applied topically. It is available as just the oil and as a massage lotion.
2. Another pain-relieving blend of essential oils is Deep Relief. It contains clove, nutmeg and ginger, all of which stimulate circulation and have topical analgesic properties.
3. For joint pain, try using Tei Fu Recovery Massage Lotion along with MSM/Glucosamine Cream.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES

There are herbs that have no analgesic activity, but can still be useful in easing pain.
Remedies that reduce inflammation can be very helpful for both acute and chronic pain.
These include turmeric, devil’s claw, boswellia, chamomile, feverfew and mangosteen.

Suggestions
CurcuminBP is a standardized extract of turmeric enhanced with black pepper. It has a powerul anti-inflammatory action and it is very helpful for relieving joint and digestive pain.

IF Relief contains the anti-inflammatory ingredients turmeric, boswellia, mangosteen and andrographis along with the analgesic white willow bark. It is a very helpful remedy for many types of pain. It is especially useful for easing pain and speeding healing after injury or surgery.

Relief Formula has a number of anti-inflammatory and analgesic ingredients—turmeric, boswellia, hops, mangosteen, andrographis and willow bark. It also contains an extract of Phellodendron bark, which is a natural substance that inhibits pain in the same way as most NSAIDs. Besides these herbal ingredients, it contains cil-phenylalanine, which helps the body to make natural pain-relieving neurotransmitters and protease enzymes, which are naturally anti-inflammatory.

NERVINES & SEDATIVES

Since tension and stress contribute to pain, remedies that help the body relax and promote sleep can also be helpul For pain. Valerian, lobelia, and wood betony are examples of herbs that ease pain by reducing tension and stress.

Suggestion
Nerve Eight is both a relaxing nervine and an anti-infammatory analgesic. It contains white willow and black cohosh, with their analgesic salicylates. It also has relaxing nervines like Valerian, hops and wood betony, along with the anti-inflammatory herbs devil’s claw and ginger.

VULNERARIES

Vulneraries are herbs that help tissues to heal. While not directly pain relieving, vulneraries are possibly the ultimate pain relievers, because they help to remove the cause of a person’s pain by helping tissues return to their normal state.

These remedies can be taken along with analgesics and anti-inflammatories to help permanently ease pain clue to tissue damage.

Suggestions
1. Joint Support is a traditional formula for easing arthritis pain by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of joints.
2. PLS II is another vulnerary formula that can ease pain by healing tissues. Originally designed as a poultice formula, you can empty the capsules, mix the contents with a little water or aloe vera juice to make a thick paste. This can then be applied topically to insect bites, swellings and minor injuries to promote healing and ease pain.