Everyday pain management ideas

Anti-Inflammatory Diet-Read all about it! Anti-Inflammatory Book Titles Here are some books that you can explore for further information about the anti-inflammatory diet! The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book:... by Jessica K. Black $12.67 Clean Cuisine: An 8-Week Anti-Inflammatory ... by Ivy Larson $13.03 The Anti-Inflammatory Diet Plan: Your Guide... by Robert M Fleischer $7.89 Meals That Heal Inflammation: Embrace Healt... by Julie Daniluk $20.37 Anti Inflammatory Diet: The Best Anti Infla... by Jennifer Sather $6.29 Digestive Health with REAL Food: A Practica... by Aglaée Jacob M.S. R.D. $23.85 The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Anti-Infl... by Christopher P. Cannon $15.90 More Anti-Inflammation Diet Tips and Recipe... by Jessica K. Black $15.85 Anti Inflammatory Diet: Foods That Fight In... by C.D. Shelton 1    2    3    4    5    ...

Have you been hearing all the hype about Omega-3s lately?  What's up with that?  I am hoping to help explain that to you in this post.   Omega 3s have been reported to be an important nutrient of late.  According to Dr. William Smith of the University of Michigan, fish oil significantly reduces the production and effectiveness of prostaglandins, the culprit behind the scenes in inflammatory processes in the human body.  In his studies, he says there are three mechanisms responsible for this: 1) Fewer prostaglandins are synthesized from Omega 3 oils as compared to  their cousins, the Omega 6 class.  Prostaglandins formed from Omega 6 oils are more likely to enhance the inflammatory process. 2) Omega 3 oils compete with Omega 6 oils for conversion to prostaglandins.  The enzymes involved in this biochemical process are known as COX-1 and COX-2 .  By increasing intake of Omega 3 oils more of the binding sites on COX-1 and COX-2...

Who knew that adding a little extra flavor to your meals could also have health benefits? Many of the well known herbs and spices have known medicinal properties.  As I have been explaining in my posts this week, some foods can actually combat inflammation, which in turn can reduce pain. There are numerous references to this on the internet, in books, magazines, and the like.  Just to give you some idea, here are some of the most potent anti-inflammatory herbs and spices as per a post from Reader's Digest: Cayenne:  Capsaicin, if applied in the form of cream or ointment, short-circuits pain by depleting nerve cells of a chemical called substance P, which helps transfer pain signals along nerve endings to the brain  It is used for treating shingles pain and diabetes-related nerve pain. For a cold remedy, sprinkle some on your dinner plate. Cayenne shrinks blood vessels in your nose and throat, relieving congestion. Cinnamon : As is true of many other spic...

Consuming most of your grains as whole grains, as opposed to refined, white bread, cereal, rice, and pasta can help keep harmful inflammation at bay. Why? Because whole grains have more fiber, which has been shown to reduce levels of C-reactive protein , a marker of inflammation in the blood, and they usually have less added sugar. But a 2013 Harvard study found that not all products labeled “whole grain” are much healthier than their refined counterparts. To be sure you’re getting the benefits, look for foods with a whole grain as the first ingredient. It is also important to ensure that there are no added sugars. In fact, the fewer added ingredients, the better! Some examples of good choices in the whole grain family include oats, quinoa, and brown rice. Source : Health.com

Protein is an essential component of the human diet; it is surely a good idea to include some protein in every meal.  Lean protein is more favorable here, not because it contains some magical remedy for inflammation, but because by doing so you can avoid saturated fats. Saturated fats have a tendency to promote the inflammatory process--so it is definitely a good idea to minimize intake. An excerpt from Arthritis Today states the following: "Some small studies have looked at the direct impact of specific diets and foods and arthritis. According to a 2011 review in Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America, people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who followed a Mediterranean diet – which features lean protein like fish and poultry and is high in plant-based foods such as beans, veggies and olive oil – reported a decrease in joint tenderness and an improvement in their sense of well being. Another small study cited in the review found that in some people with RA, vegan and ...

Your mother always told you to eat your vegetables...and this was indeed wise advice.  She probably did not know nearly what we know now about the potent anti-inflammatory effect of many substances found in this food group.  Yet, somehow she knew that it was good for you. Taking a closer look...what are these anti-inflammatory agents, and where can they be found? Here is a short list: Dark leafy greens,  such as spinach,kale and collard greens have rich vitamin E content. This vitamin protects the body from the effect of cytokines, a substance known to promote inflammation.  Leafy green vegetables also have more mineral content (calcium and iron) and phytochemicals than do their light green counterparts. The extra fiber in the diet is an added bonus! Peppers  are rich in antioxidants, and many believe that these are of benefit in the anti-inflammatory diet. The hotter peppers contain capsaicin, which is an ingredient of some topical agents that ar...

I have seen this book a few times over the last couple of years...it's on my reading list and I will hope to read it in the next year.  I will report on my thoughts after reading it, but after posting this I hope to get some feedback from anyone who has read it....please share your thoughts for other readers! click the cover to see details @ Amazon! After reading a few of the reviews (average is 4.5 stars!) it is apparent that some think the book is a masterpiece and the writer is total genius.  I am excited to get started, and I hope you are too.  This book is available at major online book outlets, and maybe at your local library as well!

Statins linked to muscle pain, sprains Published June 04, 2013 NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Cholesterol-lowering drugs could be tied to more muscle problems than researchers previously believed, a new study hints. Researchers compared two groups of similar people enrolled in military health insurance and found those taking a statin were about 10 percent more likely to have muscle pain, sprains or strains. Past studies have tied the popular cholesterol drugs to muscle weakness as well as the rare muscle-wasting disease rhabdomyolysis. The new study expands on those findings and suggests the muscle-related side effects of statins might be broader, researchers said. However, they don't prove statins caused the pain and injuries seen among some patients. "I would strongly recommend that no one should stop taking statins based on this study... simply because statins have been life-saving for many patients," said the study's lead ...

Karen Weintraub, Special for USA TODAY 7:03 a.m. EST December 15, 2013 This new understanding of fibromyalgia will hopefully lead to better treatments, doctors and researchers say. (Photo: Josh T. Reynolds for USA TODAY) Story Highlights For decades, doctors told patients their pain was the result of emotional hysteria More than half of fibromyalgia cases are really a little-known small-fiber neuropathy Most fibromyalgia patients have been treated with anti-depressants Fibromyalgia affects 1% to 5% of Americans, mainly women, but until recently, scientists had no idea what might be causing its severe and mysterious pains. For decades, doctors told patients their agony was imaginary, the result of emotional hysteria, not a physical ailment. But this year, researchers finally began to get a handle on the condition. "What's happened is in 2013 there's been this absolute explosion of papers," says neurologist Anne Lou...

New and Popular Chronic Pain Management Books Managing Chronic Pain: A Cognitive-Behavior... by John Otis $25.61 The Mindfulness Solution to Pain: Step-by-S... by Jackie Gardner-Nix $13.77 The Chronic Pain Care Workbook: A Self-Trea... by Michael J. Lewandowski $20.50 Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief: Gui... by Jon Kabat-Zinn $14.46 Chronic Pain For Dummies by Stuart S Kassan Chronic Pain Management: Guidelines for Mul... $75.95 Pain Free: A Revolutionary Method for Stopp... by Pete Egoscue $13.16 Managing Pain Before It Manages You, Third ... by Margaret A. Caudill $18.23 The Pain Survival Guide: How to Reclaim You... by Dennis C. Turk $16.19 1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10    ...   Next > > ...

Is Alcohol Good For Pain Relief? November 12, 2008 Paul Chelminski, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill  Question: Is Alcohol Good For Pain Relief? Answer: When I was a teenager, I was watching the movie, Papillon, and unfortunately this idea that alcohol could relieve pain was perpetuated by this movie because I remember there was this somewhat gruesome scene where a leg was amputated from one of the movie actors with the assistance of a bottle of brandy. Alcohol has no direct pain-relieving properties. There is a strong relationship between chronic pain and anxiety and depression . And alcohol does have some transient benefits on mood that can help indirectly alleviate the patient's suffering from pain, but no direct effect on the pain itself. In addition, you know, excessive alcohol use in the context of intensive pain management can be very harmful. We treat many types of pain with ...

The Cleveland Clinic is a highly regarded institution in the US Medical Community.  I found this article by following them on Twitter. A while back I posted a little bit about acupuncture and acupressure.  This article might help convince some people who were thinking about it that it's worth a try! Struggling With Chronic Pain? Study finds acupuncture effective for pain relief By Jamie Starkey, LAc | 10/11/12 11:17 a.m. The day started like a usual Monday morning. It was early morning, and I was already in my office, beginning the painstaking ritual of sorting through all the email that piled up over the weekend. I started skimming through an email about a study called, “ Acupuncture for Chronic Pain ,” published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine . It was nothing that would have otherwise caught my attention as throughout my career as an acupuncturist in the Wellness Institute’s Center for Integrative Medicine, I’ve reviewed stacks of r...

 A paraffin dip is sometimes used in spas as a relaxation treatment, but this novel twist on heat applications can be used for pain relief as well.  A paraffin dip is most useful for joint pain, particularly in the small joints of the hands but it can be applied to feet and other joints as well.  The paraffin treatment can be applied in a spa, but it can be employed in the home setting as well.  The basic technique is simple: A mineral wax is melted and applied to the affected area. It is then allowed to cool and harden, after which it is peeled off.  To all of you out there with joint pain, especially in the hands--this one's for you!

 I never thought much about this issue until I knew a few people who were diagnosed with breast cancer and had chronic pain afterward. As you can see in the study below, it is not that unusual.  So today, as I was looking for information to blog about support bras for mastectomy and lymphedema patients, I found this and decided to share.  My thoughts go out to all of the brave souls who have battled this terrible disease, or who are battling it now. As for all others, this is a solid reminder that monthly breast checks and yearly mammograms are so very important! Postmastectomy Pain Most Troubling Problem for Breast Cancer Survivors Nov. 6, 2013 — More than 40 percent of 200,000 U.S. women diagnosed with breast cancer every year undergo surgery. Though treatment advances have significantly reduced mortality from breast cancer, a study published in The Journal of Pain reported that persistent postmastectomy pain is rated by survivors as their most troublin...

Pain and Sleep Gilles Lavigne, DDS, MSc, FRCD How significant is the pain and sleep problem? In the adult population, about 15% of those surveyed report experiencing chronic pain. However, in older adults, that number rises dramatically to over 50%. Among those experiencing chronic pain, about 2/3 report poor or unrefreshing sleep. The problem of pain and sleep becomes even more complicated as commonly prescribed medications used to relieve pain, such as morphine and codeine can fragment sleep. How does pain affect sleep? First, we know from numerous studies that the problem of sleeplessness caused by pain is preventable with appropriate strategies. When pain is first experienced, most people do not experience sleeplessness. However, when pain becomes a problem, it can be a vicious cycle. If someone experiences poor sleep due to pain one night, he or she is likely to experience more problems the next night and so on. It gets worse and worse every night. ...

People with chronic pain disorders come from all walks of life.  Rich, poor, young and old are affected by various health issues that cause chronic pain.  If you, too, suffer from one of these disorders--know that you are not alone!  If you belong to a support group, you know this to be true. In an earlier post I shared information about the importance of having supportive relationships when you have chronic pain issues.  This can make all the difference in the world! Your family and friends may not understand exactly what you are going through but they still can help you through those tough days. Life will go on whether you get caught up in your health issues or not.  It is a good idea to live life to the fullest and minimize the bad times as much as possible.   This is true for all of us, whether we have chronic pain or not.  I hope today you will decide that it is better to focus on the positive, if you have not already done so. Lastly, I...

After all this time of posting information about ways to manage pain and various chronic pain issues it occurred to me that I had not posted anything to describe pain management . So in today's post I would like to describe pain management in my own words..feel free to comment because these are my thoughts.  You can only enhance what I am going to say here with anything relevant you have to contribute! So here goes: Pain management is a sub-specialty of medicine. The focus of pain management is to reduce pain and suffering, improve quality of life, enhance functionality and mobility--using various medical modalities.  Among these modalities are: medications interventional radiology epidural injections physical therapy medical devices surgery non-medical devices physical therapy weight loss exercise diet psychological interventions spiritual interventions etc. Pain management seeks to control pain levels in a given person's situation. While there is i...

Sometimes people use things for pain control that are out of the ordinary. They swear it works, even though there is no explanation medically, chemically, or otherwise as to why or how it works.  This is called the placebo effect. What's really happening here is that the user believes in the end and the means.  This can be as effective as anything else in pain management.  The power of belief is very strong, and it can be used to your advantage! I found the following article on the ABC news. It was written a few years ago about this very concept. In my opinion--as long as it's not harmful, it is worth a try! Crazy or Brilliant? Extreme Home Remedies for Pain Jan. 29, 2008 By LAUREN COX ABC News Medical Unit  Right now — in bathrooms, bedrooms or at the kitchen sink — people across the world are trying rather unusual home remedies to cure their pain. In Mexico, some people rub potato halves on their...

      What is complex regional pain syndrome? Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition most often affecting one of the limbs (arms, legs, hands, or feet), usually after an injury or trauma to that limb.  CRPS is believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction of, the peripheral and central nervous systems.  The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system involves nerve signaling from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.  CRPS is characterized by prolonged or excessive pain and mild or dramatic changes in skin color, temperature, and/or swelling in the affected area. There are two similar forms, called CRPS-I and CRPS-II, with the same symptoms and treatments. CRPS-...