When Vioxx was pulled from the market in late
2004, many questions followed regarding the safety of the major
pharmaceutical pain killers. Since then, other Cox-2
inhibitors (a class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or
NSAIDs) have been removed from the shelves or now carry warnings
of their potential cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks.
The mounting evidence suggests that NSAID products are not
appropriate for continual long term use as a therapy for chronic
pain management. Our customers often come to us seeking
alternatives and advice for how to deal with conditions such as
fibromialgia, rheumatoid arthritis, or back pain. We offer
a multifaceted approach to dealing with these and other types of
chronic pain.
Nutritional
support: The types of nutrients we give our
bodies plays a huge role in tissue maintenance and repair.
A therapeutic vitamin/mineral supplement can help ensure that we
have all the essential nutrients for optimal body functioning.
Supplementation with Essential Fatty Acids (such as Omega 3’s)
has shown to reduce inflammation and promote tissue fluidity and
flexibility.
Herbal
support:The plant kingdom provides many options for addressing
the symptoms and causes of chronic pain conditions.Herbs such as meadowsweet and kava have analgesic
properties to sooth the pain while a simple bath with chamomile
can help relax muscles and relieve tension.Other herbs such as boswellia, turmeric, and ginger have
strong anti-inflammatory activity, offering similar relief as
provided by NSAIDs but through different mechanisms that do not
have the same health risks.We’ve also had great success with therapeutic oils such as
St. John’s wort and Balm of Gilead as topical pain relief
preparations.
Transdermal
creams:Compounded transdermal creams are designed to actively
transport agents through the skin.This allows for direct application to the painful area,
resulting in rapid relief.Topical applications usually have fewer side effects
because the medication doesn’t have to first pass through the
digestive system, which can result in systemic effects.Transdermal creams are made specifically for each
patient, and can include pharmaceutical agents as well as herbs
or other natural ingredients.
Lifestyle
considerations: Of
course, daily healthful practices are important as well.Adequate hydration helps prevent tissues from becoming
dysfunctional.Regular
exercise promotes healthy blood flow which ensures that the
nutrients and medications get to where they are needed.Body work, such as massage, encourages proper circulation
and lymphatic drainage, clearing blockages and toxins from the
body.Even a simple
warm bath or hot cup of tea can have therapeutic benefits.
