Blog#45 Pain Is Not a
Lifestyle
Almost everyone suffers from chronic
physical pain at some time; some people will have chronic pain from long
periods of time, and a few will experience it for most of their lives. Sometimes, they are prescribed medications to
manage their pain. Many of these
medications have serious long-term side-effects, and are addictive. Life does not have to be that way; there are
many ways pain can be reduced or eliminated without harm or addiction. I offer many of these ways in my practice. Listed below are several highly effective and
safe holistic approaches to reducing or eliminating pain.
1.
Improved nutrition. Several types of foods tend to be
pro-inflammatory, which means, among other things, that their consumption will
tend to increase pain level and duration.
Gluten, found in several types of grains, especially wheat, barley, and
rye, is pro-inflammatory. In addition, certain
foods feed yeast and long-term, high consumption can result in increased
abdominal discomfort and bloating as well as eventual problems such as
fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain, and a compromised immune
system. Some studies have shown that
frequent consumption of wheat, especially white flour and white and brown
sugar, as well as some other sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup, pasteurized
honey, and some artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame, saccharin, and
splenda can result in the above-mentioned health issues as well as blood sugar
imbalances. Also, processed foods, such
as packaged cereals, breads, pastas, and especially processed meats, can
exacerbate arthritic problems and other health issues.
2.
Appropriate stretching and
strengthening exercises. Exercise helps
improve blood and lymph circulation, improve brain function, elevate the
spirit, calm the mind, increase energy level, stabilize the musculoskeletal
system, and strengthen the immune system.
Too much overly demanding exercise can be draining or even lead to
injury, so it is important for each person to find and adhere to the
appropriate amount and intensity of exercise for them. Walking, yoga, tai chi, chi gong and Pilates
are all exercise types that can be appropriate.
3. Using the mind calmly and
effectively. Hypnosis, self-hypnosis,
and meditation can all be helpful.
Through hypnosis and self-hypnosis (all hypnosis is really self-hypnosis)
pain can be reduced or eliminated. This
is a relatively simple process taught by a hypnotist. Pain should not changed or eliminated until a
thorough investigation is made to find the source of the pain, since in some
cases, pain must be addressed physically
and not erased by the mind; otherwise, more serious problems may arise. Self-hypnosis and meditation can also be used
to relax with the pain so that it is not so distressing.
4.
Energy work such as acupuncture. Acupuncture is well known for its ability to
relieve pain. It is sometimes used as
anesthesia for surgery in China and also in the U.S. and other countries. Although a skillful acupuncturist can often
reduce or eliminate pain with a treatment, the relief may be short term unless
the root of the pain is found and addressed.
Acupuncture, along with other holistic approaches, such as improved nutrition,
herbal therapy, chiropractic adjusting, exercise, massage, and meditation can
help eliminate the root problem, and this way, the pain will not recur.
I credit one of my chiropractic
and acupuncture teachers, Michael S. Greene, of Lee’s Summit, MO with the
phrase “pain is not a lifestyle”.
This blog’s offer: contact me for a free 20 minute consultation
about what kind of holistic therapy would be appropriate to reduce or eliminate
your pain.
artdoc11@yahoo.com 773-2746827
