Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than six months at a stretch and there is nothing more debilitating than chronic pain. Chronic pain affects millions of people the world over. It can affect an individual at any time in life and in most cases it often long outlives the actual cause of pain. In the long run chronic pain is destructive to the body. Over time not only does the pain worsen but also unleashes a cascade of hormones like Cortisol which in turn destroys the immune systems and kidneys.
Most people with chronic pain inevitably resort to a gamut of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Piroxicam amongst others. These drugs have been implicated in causing serious gastrointestinal bleeding from ulcers, liver dysfunction and renal failure when taken for long duration (unfortunately most people with chronic pain do take them for long periods). The newer agents called as COX-II Inhibitors (Celecoxib, Rofecoxib, Valdecoxib) are marginally better in their gastrointestinal safety profile but have come under flak with some of them having been withdrawn from the markets due to serious cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Thus the answer to chronic pain? Nothing safe though several are effective.
Chronic pain is very closely linked to depression because both conditions share the same neuronal circuits in the brain. Serotonin and Endorphins that regulate a healthy brain functioning also regulate depression. Chronic pain results in depletion of Serotonin from the neuronal cells leading to an aggravation of depression. In fact many physicians treat chronic pain with the same drugs used to treat depression. Chronic pain sufferers respond with increased pain to stressful stimuli.
Some common causes of Chronic Pain include: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, stiff joints, tendonitis, neck pains, low back pains, muscle and joint pains, carpal tunnel syndrome, shingles and pinched nerves and sprains. Cancer pain can be chronic but responds significantly only to Morphine-like drugs.
The pharmaceutical cupboard for the management of chronic pain is virtually threadbare and search is on for the ideal pain-killer. Is there anything natural that is not only effective but safe as well? Many herbs have the propensity to relieve pain while leaving the body intact! Some of these herbs include:
1. White Willow (Salix sp): The bark of this stately white willow has been used for centuries in China to relieve pain and lower fevers. The active ingredient is Salicin which the body converts to Salicylic acid. Thus the white willow is often called as the "herbal aspirin". At a cellular level the white willow helps lower the levels of Prostaglandins (a powerful chemical released at sites of pain and inflammation) and thus reduces pain and inflammation. People with arthritis who have used the bark of white willow have reported dramatic changes in pain intensity and also improved mobility after few weeks of use.
2. Lobelia inflata: Lobelia is a very powerful muscle relaxant and is rich in Vitamin A, C and Manganese. Lobeline, an active ingredient, stimulates the nervous system. Lobelia has helped treat mild depression, calm frayed nerves, ease muscle tension and reduce pain and inflammation.
3. Boswellia serrata: Also known as Indian Frankincense, the gummy resin of its bark called as salaai guggal has been known from centuries to help fight pain and inflammation. Boswellia is known to block the entry of inflammatory cells to the sites of inflammation, improve blood flow to sites of inflammation and block the pre-inflammatory chemicals. Boswellia has proven its merits in the management of pain in conditions like arthritis, in reducing inflammatory process in Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Boswellia can be used both orally and also topically over the sites of pain and inflammation.
A combination of the white willow, Lobelia and Boswellia would be an ideal pain-killer that has the same efficacy (but without the potentially lethal side effects) as conventional pain-killers.
Tired of Chronic pain? Is chronic pain limiting your capabilities?
Fight chronic pain the natural way!
