Are You In Pain?

And what you can do about it.

By Dr. Anna Walden, HealthWalk™ Vital Hematology Department

Although it may seem odd, there is a Pain Awareness Month in the US - September. One would think that there doesn’t need to be any more awareness of pain than there already is. Pain, pain, go away. But in clinical and personal experience, it is apparent that human beings have an enormous capacity for coping with and ignoring pain.

Nearly all pain is caused by inflammation. The mechanism of pain allows us to receive the message loudly and clearly that something is very wrong and there is an area which needs to be quickly relieved of its regular duties, protected, cared for, and possibly kept out of commission so that further damage does not occur.

The body has its own natural pain killers – endorphins - which empower the body to be able to sustain necessary activity even though something quite drastic and injurious has occurred. We have all heard the stories of amazing feats being accomplished in extreme situations where people have, for example, been shot or wounded in some way, and yet do a heroic deed without any awareness of pain. Soldiers in the battlefield report these experiences frequently. And then there are the athletes who, despite intense injury “work through the pain” and keep on going even though the body is sending wave after wave of signals that it is time to stop.

Dedicated mothers and fathers, work-out junkies, work-aholics and just about everyone has adopted the notion that somehow it is a sign of weakness or lack of a sense of duty and commitment to pay attention to the messages from the body as though there is great virtue in this. But is that true? Certainly on the battlefield it is often valid, but what about in daily life?

If we get back to the main purpose of pain, then we have to say that we need to start paying more attention to what the body is telling us. We need to be more in touch with ourselves so that we can prevent further damage to our precious physical forms.

A word about NSAIDS

When there is an acute call for it, there is nothing like popping a pill and getting relief. The group of painkillers known as NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs pronounced “en-sedz”) and Cox-2 inhibitors include some household familiar names such as Aspirin, Advil and Motrin (ibuprofen), and Alleve (naproxen). When we are injured or have inflammation, the body produces prostaglandins which mediate pain and inflammation. These are produced specifically for the area which is injured. The NSAIDS limit the body’s production of prostaglandins and thereby provide relief.

However, the NSAIDS also limit the body’s production beneficial prostaglandins and that is where the trouble begins. They play an important role in protection of the stomach lining, help regulate blood pressure, protect the kidneys in time of disease or dehydration. So over time, NSAIDS have a track record of causing gastro-intestinal problems and reduced kidney function. This presents a quandary even for the FDA which is our agency dedicated to protecting us from harmful substances. Here is a quote from that agency about taking Alleve but alluding to the whole NSAIDS group: “This is a very confusing situation…there is little data about the long-term effects of naproxen or any other related pain reliever.” Never mind that there are over 16,000 deaths each year attributed to NSAIDs.

21st Century Solutions

In addition to the old stand-bys of rest, ice, elevation, there are new solutions which addresses pain. To tackle the cause of inflammation so that the body can repair itself is the long term answer to most pain.

One way is to boost the body’s own immune system and healing power with proper nutrition and supplementation. ReGenesys™ is an enzyme supplement which has been shown to reduce C-Reactive protein, a marker for chronic infection in the body and it also supports pain relief and healthy nerve, muscle and bone tissue growth, enhances energy and normal sleep patterns.

MindSoul Brain Technology neuro-sound stimulation, which helps restore brain frequencies to its optimal levels, is another way of resolving the causes of pain.

Another sound wave solution is with Alpha Sound waves. The premise is that the body produces and uses Alpha waves in the healing process. By introducing these waves with technology, the body has a far greater chance to speed its own recovery. We utilize this technology among our leading edge therapies and support for pain alleviation in our own practice at HealthWalk Integrated Health and Wellness Center.

The application of sound wave therapy increases circulation and boosts metabolism. Specifically we use the AlphaSonic which produces a signal. In the approximate range of 8 to14 Hz with the highest concentration that have been scientifically shown to be key in activating the body’s own natural healing process. In numerous cases, including at our own clinic, there have been dramatic results as spasm relaxes and inflammation is reduced.

We recently had case of a young woman who had fallen on a marble floor and broken her fall with her tailbone and right palm five years previously. Her elbow was hyper-extended and the right side of the rib cage dislodged and slid over to the left side. All the fascia and cartilage were destroyed. After excruciating physical therapy, the ribs were restored to their proper side but she is still “pigeon chested.” She experienced constant tightness, tension and often pain with deep breathing ever since then. After two sessions with the AlphaSonic, all pain was completely gone. The scar tissue mound is now gone. Her over-stimulated nerves and tightened tendons were quieted and soothed by the calming frequencies of the alpha waves. She marvels at being pain free after so many years of moving with care and compensation.

So if you also are living with pain and would like to see what your life might be like if it were gone, and what you might be doing if you were not physically restricted, come visit us at HealthWalk Integrated Health and Wellness Center and experience it for yourself.