I got a chuckle last week reading a Consumer Report article reprinted in The Washington Post entitled Pain: Relievers: Don’t overdo it. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/consumer-reports-overuse-of-pain-relievers-can-be-hazardous/2011/05/18/gIQAiO2JMI_story.html
It went on and on about how non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs work and how they’re fine for occasional use (an acute problem like a sprain) but that there are risks with long term use (a chronic problem like arthritis) – as if you didn’t know this already. They described the risks i.e. side effects (bad effects) but then offered absolutely no suggestions of alternatives that work and which have no side effects. They did suggest that you contact your doctor who probably knows less than you do (about alternatives).
Through trial and error (error being they didn’t work but caused no harm) I’ve found a number of tools that have helped my aching/aging body including 3 herniated cervical discs.
Arthritis & Pain
Most pain comes from inflammation (tissues swell and amplify the signals from pain nerves). NSAID’s do block inflammation causing enzymes and do reduce pain but there are many side effects: risk of ulcers, bleeding in stomach, strokes, heart attacks and kidney damage because they interfere with hormone like compounds called prostaglandins. Adverse effects can be seen even after only a few days or weeks so there is good reason to try some thing else. These are ones our family has found success with.
In addition to magnets, biofeedback, massage, acupuncture, cranial/sacral therapy, we’ve used a number of supplements and added a number of foods to our diet. Part II lists the supplements we’ve used and all can be purchased on line at www.iherb.net. If you’ve never used this site before enter coupon code BOT164 for $5 off your first order. Shipping is free for all orders over $40 and the prices are great and the inventory huge.
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