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Alternative Approaches to Reflief
For many people, particularly those in the western world, pain relief
solutions such as acupuncture, and herbal medicine are novel concepts. However, the rest of the world is probably wondering what the fuss is about, because these traditional approaches to pain relief have been around for thousands of years; Traditional Chinese Medicine, which relies on various techniques and herbs in order to balance the body's internal energy, is over 5,000 years old.
The ancient Chinese Practice of acupuncture is based on the belief that
health is determined by the level of chi (vital life energy) that is in t he body.
This energy is thought to move through the body through pathways called
meridians, which connect to specific organs in the body. Acupuncturists insert
needles into points on the body that connect to these channels to release blocked "chi" that might be the cause of pain. During acupuncture treatment, the acupuncturist inserts thin needles for anywhere from a few minutes to a half an hour into specific points on the body. This practice is thought to stimulate endorphins, the body's natural painkillers and is useful for the treatment of a variety of disorders including backache, sinus pain, jaw pain, spinal disorders, withdrawal and mental disorders.
Another important part of traditional Chinese medicine is herbal medicine.
Herbs have been used for centuries for their pain relieving qualities. Here are
some herbs that are recommended for common disorders:
Cramps & Spasms: angelica, cramp bar, kava, rosemary, valerian root. Nerve
Pain: capsaicin, chamomile, gotu kola, licorice, white willow. Back Pain: hops,
wood betony, passionflower. Migraine: feverfew, linden, skullcap. Headaches:
peppermint, spearmint. Joint pain: ginger, sea cucumber.
Meditation, which has also been practiced for thousands of years, is a
conscious attempt to calm the mind so that it is not cluttered with thoughts and
anxieties that might be contributing to an unnecessary belief in the existence of
pain. There are hundreds of different meditation techniques, but mostly they
all into three categories: concentrative, mindful and transcendental
meditation. During concentrative meditation, focusing on a single sound, object or one's breath, produces tranquil mind that facilitates the production of
pain-relieving endorphins. During mindful meditations, the mind is encouraged to become aware of, but not reactive to thoughts, feelings and sensations in order to achieve a tranquil state of mind.
Eating a well balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables is
thought to be the best way raise your pain threshold or resistance to pain. A
deficiency in any of the main vitamins (A, B, C, D or E) can cause chronic pain.
Vitamin E is used to treat joint pain. A deficiency in calcium, iron, magnesium
and other minerals may also lower your pain threshold. A calcium magnesium
supplement taken in a 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium is thought to relieve
joint pain and headaches. Manganese is a vitamin that is sometimes used for
chronic headaches and neuralgia. A deficiency of the B vitamins is also thought to cause nervousness, headaches and chronic pain.
As we age our bodies are said to lose the ability to manufacture or produce
certain elements that can help short-circuit the cycle of chronic pain. Green
lipped sea mussels, glucosamine, sea cucumber, spirulina, Sam-e, HGH (Human
Growth Hormone), MSM (Methulsuflonydmethane) and melatonin, are thought to aid with joint, muscle, head teeth, jaw and general tissue pain.
Sniffing or applying essential oils is thought to change an individual's
brain chemistry so that pleasurable neuro-transmitters called endorphins are
released to relieve pain. Geranium, jasmine, juniper, lavender, peppermint, rose, rosemary and thyme are oils commonly used for this purpose.
Research has indicated that bodily functions that were previously thought to
be beyond conscious control, such as chronic pain, can be controlled thorough
the use of visualization. Guided imagery encourages the sufferer to think in
pictures that eliminate negative thoughts thus raising levels of pleasurable
brain chemicals, such as serotonin, decreasing anxiety and increasing the
effectiveness of the immune system. Through guided imagery, the mind conjures up mental scenes in order to better direct the body's energy. For instance, if an individual is suffering from a stabbing pain, he or she might want to imagine a knife being removed from the spot and a subsequent glowing feeling of relief. Guided imagery has been used successfully to manage the pain of headaches, sinus problems, arthritis and cancer.
Biofeedback combines a variety of relaxation methods, such as guided imagery
and meditation with use of an instrument that monitor the individual's
responses to the therapy. After many treatments, biofeedback is thought to train the individual to consciously regulate autonomic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and other processes that are commonly believed to be out of our control. During a session, electrodes connected to a monitoring unit are taped to the skin. The monitor measures skin temperature, pulse, blood pressure, muscle tension and brain activity to determine the success of the relaxation technique. Eventually, over time, biofeedback can train an individual to control the pain of such disorders as TMJ, headaches and migraines.
It is difficult to imagine a world without pain; where would our poetry come
from? What would divas sing about? Given that pain is probably always going to
be a part of our world, it is of critical importance that we understand the
various methods that exist to manage that pain. For some of us, that remedy may lie in the traditional realm, while for others it will be through
prescription drugs or some other alternative. Regardless of what remedy you choose, make sure you inform yourself of the various pain treatment options open to you, and by doing so, you may just reduce the amount of suffering in your life. And isn't that, in some respect, the goal that we all strive towards?
It is important to note that the above suggestions do not represent cures for
conditions, but more represent strategies and opportunities to manage your
chronic pain. It is also recommended that you consult with your health
practitioner before embarking on any new pain management program.
Source Unknown
"Water is the driving force of all nature."
Leonardo Da Vinci
Rosemary Tonic Rinse
A few sprigs of fresh or a teasp of dried rosemary.
Add 1 teaspoon of boiling water. Allow to cool and use as a rinse after you shampoo.
