Transylvania Times
February 28, 2008
Medical Supplement

NATURAL APPROACHES TO THE PROBLEM OF CHRONIC PAIN

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."                       C.S. Lewis. The Problem of Pain

Perhaps the most significant problems of life is experiencing pain. We long to avoid it, and yet we must remember that without it we could not live normal lives.  Lepers, for instance, damage their bodies because the disease causes them to lose the sensation of pain. Pain warns us to draw back from fire, to shift our grip on a tool if we are getting a blister, to change our gait if a muscle feels stressed. When pain becomes chronic, it has gone beyond functioning as an early warning device. Chronic pain necessitates methods of relief that do not create additional risks and problems.

According to Charles Lefler, M.D., local Internal and Integrated Medicine specialist, conventional medicine offers excellent resources to deal with the pain of trauma, acute illness, or surgery.  It is less adept at dealing with chronic pain, often resorting to drugs which serve to chemically mask our perception of pain while failing to address the underlying cause. Examples of non-traditional therapies are: acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, homeopathy, massage therapy, Reflexology, and Feng Shui.

Acupuncture is increasingly recognized as an effective treatment for a wide variety of pain issues, including arthritis, migraine, back pain, fibromyalgia, muscle strain, sciatica, and neuropathy-related pain. James Nourse, Ph.D., L.Ac., believes it is important to recognize that pain is also an emotional issue. Anyone who has experienced pain for an extended period knows that it can deplete energy and lead to depression. In some cases pain can be made worse by the presence of an unresolved emotional problem. While not indicated in all cases, a combination of acupuncture and counseling can be a powerful formula for pain reduction.

“I have seen classical homeopathy work wonders”, says Dr. Anna Kate Cascio, a Naturopathic Physician based in Brevard, NC. “Homeopathy works because it considers the whole person as well as their pain in order to find the appropriate remedy. Just as there are no two snowflakes alike there are no two patients alike even if they are both dealing with pain.” Dr. Cascio also uses the latest research to assist patients in creating an anti-inflammatory diet plan. “Many foods, for example, are known to intensify pain associated with arthritis. Something as simple as avoiding eggplants can help some people reduce pain.”

Massage therapy is often highly effective in promoting muscle relaxation throughout the body. When muscles are tight blood circulation is reduced in the effected area. This condition results in less oxygen and nutrients being delivered to affected tissues. The natural cleansing actions that remove cellular waste products are also reduced. Manipulation of tissues assists in increasing circulation thereby increasing delivery of oxygen and nutrients and removal of waste products. Juli Stempel, LMBT, reports that the reasons for seeking massage range from discomfort in specific areas to a desire for general relaxation. After receiving massage individuals often experience feelings of calmness, relaxation, and improved sleep.

Reflexology is the study, art, and science of applying specific touch techniques to the feet, hands, and outer ears. Many health problems can be linked to stress. Reflexology is a relaxation technique that can negate the effects of stress while helping the body relax. Judith Nourse, R.N., finds that some of the frequently reported benefits of Reflexology include relief and elimination of pain in the neck, shoulders, lower back, sciatica, reduction or elimination of headaches, reduction of the effects of long term stress and tension in lungs, stomach, colon, and much more.

Feng Shui, the concept of the influence of surroundings, can also be relevant to pain that should be decreasing, but isn't.  Feng Shui tells us that our surroundings, such as furniture placement, art images, and clutter in certain areas of the house can act as anchors for symptoms.  Judith Nourse, R.N. gives as an example the client whose pain following shoulder surgery decreased to a point, but then held steady. When the borrowed recliner that he had practically lived in it for 6 weeks was  removed, the furniture positions shifted, and accumulated clutter of reading materials cleared out,  the client immediately felt a shift in his mood and energy level, and the pain level decreased significantly within the week.

The professional care givers at the Center for Integrated Health and Healing in Brevard offer numerous natural approaches to alleviate and frequently totally relieve chronic pain. In addition, the Center makes available a therapy called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a safe technique which often goes to unconscious core of issues related to persisting pain.  Patients sometimes experience what may seem like miracle cures after turning to EFT when conventional medical therapies have failed.