Holistic Chronic Pain Management: Natural Therapies and Supplements

Hi!

Last week I was traveling. The combination of almost 2,000 miles in the van plus not having access to my usual solutions (I brought a lot with me, but not everything! ) I ended up having terrible pain in my hip. My hip isn't great anyway. I have scoliosis and carrying babies and toddlers around on my hip for years hasn't helped. Also, I had a bone marrow biopsy (probably a bad idea) 15 years ago while trying to figure out what was going on with the ITP. It was done in the hip that gives me trouble. Anyway, it isn't usually too bad unless I am pregnant.

Each morning, after sleep my hip felt pretty good but by lunch time each day it was getting worse and worse. My hip seemed really tight, which made me think it was muscular. And I was feeling nerve pain in the leg...maybe inflammation pressing on the nerve?

By the grace of God, I decided to try some stretches - and ended up sitting Indian Style on the floor for 20 minutes each evening while I read. I also sat this way in the car some (I wasn't driving! ) The pain was improving daily and by the time I got home I didn't have any more pain. My chiropractor has done some stretches for my hip before that seem to stretch the same muscle that I feel stretching when I sit Indian Style. I am going to make an effort to sit this way each day some to keep myself more limber.

Hope that helps someone else.

I missed keeping up with EC posts while I was away!

Have a great day!

~Mama to Many~

Gillian, check out what you are eating. Also, chew well.

Hi, thanks for the tips. I got mag oil and diluted it with water half and half, but when I sprayed it on the painful area, it made the pain worse.

I have taken epsom salt baths; it helps a little not much. How much epsom do you use?

I am also having bad digestive problems. My lower abdomen feels acidy and a bit painful, it is keeping me awake at night. My belly feels distended and bloated. Yesterday I had a short bout of diareah kind of dark gray watery and undigested food. I belch alot and also fart a alot.

I had taken tincture of oregano oil for low grade infection and I heard that it is very hard on the stomache.

I have been taking coconut oil, high doses of vit b, vit c and vitamin d. Any other ideas?

Thanks. Gillian

Gillain x I have re-read your post, I am more than convinced you have Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome now. The symptom's will come and go, and are so variable it's hard to try, if not impossible to count them. The Meds you are on, I was also on them, plus a load of others, you also mention weight loss, in two years I have lost five stone, (70 pounds) without even trying!! I look like dead person walking, and I am still losing weight, my white blood count is low, hair thinning out, severely dry skin, bones breaking easily without no obvious cause as my bone density is normal. I can't put any weight on no matter how hard I try, and every suggestion others have posted I have tried them all, and more, I have spent thousands of pounds on all sorts of remedies, Chiropractors, Homeopaths, Faith Healers, can't get warm, then burning up, mood swings from hell, character changes, the list is endless :-( I am now trying a 'Paleo Diet') its not actually a 'Diet' I am eating more than ever, and only eat Organic veg, Free Range Grass reared meat, which I buy from 'Soil Association Certified Farmers Markets'. I am following 'Robb Wolf The Paleo Solution' book. He is a Bio Chemist, and explains what certain food's do to your body, and what to eat and avoid big time!! Its helped greatly with long time Bowel issues I suffered with, and I never cooked my meet well, only poultry and pork meat as these have to be fully cooked. I also only eat, Dry Hung Bacon as this contains no nitrates or any additives at all. You can adapt it to suit yourself and I eat four good sized meals a day plus lots of 'Bone Broth' I avoid the 'Night Shade' Family (Google 'Night Shade Foods) completely, no fruit, and no nuts as much as I love nuts and fruit, they don't like me at all!! : -) I got my own health shop in my home due to the amount of stuff I have bought and tried, the only supplements I now take is, Vit D, 20. 000 ius (International units) a Probiotic, Healthy Origins 3o billion CFU's, on an empty stomach, Now Super Enzymes, after all meal's, half a tea spoon of Magnesium Citrate twice a day after food, AM and PM, MSM, I started off with half a level tea spoon (Morning only as too late in the day I can't sleep, but MSM is known to keep you awake if you take it late afternoon or evening) and I now take a heaped Table spoon worked up to over a month AM and the next no later than 2PM. That's two Table spoons a day. I flash fry any other meat so it's very rare, slightly browned each side and seal the edges, steam Fish, and Veg and also use a slow cooker (Crock Pot) you can do Broth's, Bake, Roast, Soup, anything in a slow cooker. I also try and cook and freeze as much as I can in advance, and prepare Salads in advance and leave them in the Fridge, I juice using a Masticating juicer, or you can use a blender with a drop of Distilled Water, or Bottled Spring Water (just enough to cover a quarter of the veg) blend it then strain it, I save the Fiber from juicing and add it to soups or where ever I need fiber. If you use Bottled Spring Water, look at the bottom of the bottle, there is a Triangle, in the Triangle is a number, from one to five, make sure it's one in the Triangle and no higher. I nebulize and drink Colloidal silver straight, Nebulize for 5 mins breathe deep, hold for 5 seconds and breathe out, it may make you cough at first, but this will pass after a few uses and is not a problem. 2 table spoons of Colloidal Silver I make myself, use a plastic spoon to measure, ( NEVER any Metal and store it away from any Electrical gadgets in a cool dark place) and NEVER add salt to the Silver if you make your own, or buy it with Salt added, this is bad!!! I drink the Silver after every meal to kill any Parasites, Mold, Fungus, Viruses, and Bacteria. Wash and Rinse all veg in water with a few drops of vinegar, or lemon juice added, this will kill any Mold, Fungus, Bacteria, and any residues that should not be there. I live on my own so I have to do what I can do for myself, and drink plenty of water too. Here is a link to Robb Wolfes web site, he explains what to avoid and eat, and you can go to paleo recipe pages for idea's there loads of things you can eat and you won't starve believe me!! I am always eating :-)

• The Paleo Diet

I am also doing 'Tracy Anderson' exercise from YouTube; saves money :-) you can do them sitting or lying down if you have to. Let me know how you get on. PS as I explained, the symptoms will come and go, and you will have really good days, and bad days, and they will get you with no warning, do not fear this, it's the path of healing, and you can get it while on Meds too. A lot of people don't realize that once your body gets used to anything, your Tolerance level will still rise at your steady normal dose, and you will go in to Withdrawal still, as your brain and body will crave bigger doses, DO NOT TAKE MORE!! It will not stop it, but it will add to the problem, none of the above will interfere with your Meds. And Dietary changes will also cause a Detox reaction, that's why some people do it gradually, but I went in 100% as I have been ill for so long. Another thing, use Coconut oil for frying or roasting, and never heat Olive or Flax Oil, use these col on Salads only, once hated they become 'Carcinogenic' Cancer causing, or you can fry in Unsalted Organic Butter, Ghee is also a no no. Love Andrea C XXXXXX

Sorry :-( try again!! lol :-) Link for 'Post Acute Withdrawral Syndrome' P.A.W.S www.AddictionsAndRecovery.org.Love Andrea C xxx

Hi Gillain, regarding the Apple Cider Vinegar - you know your body best. If internal vinegar doesn't agree with you, you are wise to know it and skip it. You could look in to alkalizing formulas here at EC, baking soda might work better for you. But now there are many suggestions for you and perhaps that idea could go on the back burner for now.

Yes, charcoal is good for loose stools and not just for diarrhea. It is a wonderful help to the gut in general as it draws out toxins. Since you mention odor and frequency, I would still consider it a good choice for you. And in some strange way, charcoal helps with pain. I wish I understood it better, but I do not, I just enjoy the way it works.

Finally, regarding the Blackstrap... You are so wise to know your body and how it reacts to sugar. Personally, I don't find it very sweet and feel in general that natural sugar (from honey and blackstrap) have enough health benefit that they are worth having in the diet, in moderation, of course. However, for someone who has a lot of trouble with sugar, it may be best to skip even those. So, for now, I would skip the Blackstrap and know it is something you can try down the road if you want. And yes, you could mix it in to water or milk or something. One of the nutrients in it is magnesium, which Toourlady89 mentions, with lots of good detail. I think she is on to something here. And I like her idea of epsom salt baths. They are great for pain and increasing your magnesium. One thing to know and watch for though is that magnesium can increase bowel function. I have a toddler that lets loose when I put him in a tub with epsom salt. (Unless he has recently "taken care of business.") Please do let us know how it is going for you!

~Mama to Many~

There is a condition called, post acute withdrawal syndrome, it can be caused by drugs, alcohol, herbal remedies, and vitamins, caffeine and smoking will aggravate it. I have it from medication, its hell!! It often gets misdiagnosed as Fibromyalgia, Me, Ms, Chronic pain Syndrome, Flu Syndrome, and even Mental problems!! I am real angry as God knows how many people are suffering from this, and being told they got a 'Naturally related illness' or their mad???? The thing is, it can be misdiagnosed as so many different illnesses it's unreal!! Neuropathic pain is also another one, and your symptoms are classic of Post Acute withdrawal Syndrome (P. A. W. S) and the more drugs you take the further in to hell you go!! I am a bloody 'expert' on this matter now, unfortunately, as I could not understand why I was getting sicker and sicker, it will do a number on you, physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, all aspects of being Human. Do NOT suddenly stop taking meds you are on, or INCREASE dosage, this will make it worse!! Do not drink Alcohol, and if you do, TAPER OFF, you do this by, say you drink 10 beer's a day, drop by 2 a day, until you reach 2, then none, With the meds, they too must be TAPERED, I do not know which meds you take so I can't suggest a taper without this information. Also vits herbs, etc as mentioned above. This is now in epidemic proportions, I know so much about this as I have done millions of research, and through what I am going through, I will post a Link which gives you a run down on this matter, but its got so many faces its unreal! Even suddenly stopping whatever substances you swallow, or use transdemally or I. V will cause it. I can see it in lots of other people from mild, to severe, and to also committing suicide, as they can't take any more. There is also video's on 'youtube' by other's going through this hell, and SOME ONE is very responsible for maybe billion's of us suffering this hellish torment. House hold products is also a big link in a very long chain of caused, manmade material's make up, all sorts. I have nearly died because of Medical incompetence, and had to 'spring' myself from Hospital, after taking a drip pumping more poison into my vein's off, and the Hospital automatically locked down the building to stop me getting the hell out of there, I could barely stand up, and was in a terrible state!! There is a lot more to this, and I feel like an army of one trying to do something about this, its bloody dangerous! I can't say too much, and there's stuff I'd like to say... The whole truth.. But same again. The link is quite basic I feel, BUT, it will give you some idea of what it is, and what to do, unfortunately a lot of people are only too willing to believe the Medical Manipulation their under. That in its self is a huge tragedy. I can see it in lots of folk on E. C as well, and I feel like screaming because I can't save the World, but I am going to have a bloody good try!!! On the link, first read 'Withdrawal' then read 'Post Acute withdrawal' there is also a Menu of different things which may be of help or interest to you. I have mentioned about this to 'Specialist Consultants' but I fear I am treading on dangerous ground, so I stopped trying to get any sense out of them, and they also got VERY angry, and threatening with me, only one admitted, when I said 'These Drugs are killing me!! " 'Yes they are' he replied. Another DR, who I'd never seen before asked 'Who the hell put you on these two painkillers together? Your seriously toxic!! ' This also happened when I was admitted to Hospital for nearly three months with a 'Chest infection'??? I couldn't shake off in over a year, and had every anti-biotic know to Man, I. V, oral, via my anus. They were also treating me for 'Asthma' at the same time, once again another DR I'd never seen, when I told him I felt like I was being seriously poisoned to death, took one look at my Med chart, and freaked out, I was right!!! I also learned it's no good asking your DR to Taper you, they will do it way to fast, and this is so dangerous it can cause Heart failure, Stroke, Brain damage, and God knows what else!! I am not trying to scare you, my fear turned to anger when I discovered 'The Truth' and do NOT let them tell you need more of any drugs you are on now or more?? This escalates the problem. I did my own Taper off so many Meds, I don't think there's anything I haven't had pushed, or pumped in to me. It's that bad, that I now know MORE than most Pharmacist's and every Dr I've spoken too. I had a wonderful Dr once, who told me 'Every time you diagnose yourself you are RIGHT, but DR's don't like it, I only stopped seeing her as she left to have a baby 'Then there was the case of my friends Mother, who I kept telling for 9 years exactly what was wrong with her, and the big Medical guns were wrong. 9 years later they told her. 'We got it wrong'. ' Yes' she said, 'my young friend told me years ago what was wrong' DR's.. 'Did she now? Well WE just discovered this week's ago, she can't have possibly known' so WHAT did your friend say (followed by laughter) so she told them, I was RIGHT!!! Yet some of the greatest minds in the Medical Profession had 'just discovered it?? I did it through observation and instinct, I have no Medical training, but Dr's forget about the Human Spirit, and never think outside the box. Even Mental illnesses, I have observed can often be put down to poor dietary practice, and other environmental particulars as well. I have so much more to say, but I too am in agony, but I post on here when I can, and I will keep doing so, we are ALL dead, if we just sit and say nothing, it's wrong!!! None of us are immortal any way, and who wants to live forever in such an evil and corrupted society?? And there IS Life after Life, I have indisputable evidence of this also, and one time the Medics found something I had told them which it was impossible for me to know was right. They wanted me to talk to DR;s from everywhere but I refused. I will save it for another time. Love Andrea C XXXXXXXXXX

Hi Earth Clinic, WOW what a fab site, my work mate told me about you as she had very painful hip and knee, she was in so much pain that I said to her perhaps you should go to the hospital... No joy there, x-rays and pain killers but nothing happened she was still in pain and this was after a couple of weeks, so she investigated some web-sites and yours came up, she had a good read through and found that Apple Cider Vinegar would do the trick... What has she to lose........... PAIN, after rubbing apple cider vinegar and honey on her hip and knee she was very surprised that the pain she had has gone to a very mild ache, and her skin is very smooth........... I am very interested in the natural healing, and am on your web-site quite a lot, thank you for such an easy site to find your allments. Keep up the good work. Kim

Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your ailments. I would like to suggest to search on Magnesium Deficiency. There is a book on The Magnesium and why its a miracle supplement and also Transdermal Magnesium. There is plenty of info. On You Tube as well. Type in Magnesium Deficiency.

Several of your symptoms including unstable emotions, crying, rage, depression, body aches, brain fog, abdominal problems, numbness, feeling off balance, fungal infections are all in the list of the hundreds of symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency.

Transdermal magnesium is use of Magnesium spray for all over the body. It goes thru the skin to the blood and to the circulation faster. My co worker has had back aches for many years, she has had chiro, massages, accupuncture, cupping, etc, none of them helped her. With Magnesium Oil spray, she felt immediate relief. I was surprised. Different effects for different people. Magnesium through the skin gives faster results than pills.

The Mg Oil spray is one, Bathing in Epsom Salt water is another. (Magnesium Phosphate) for 20-30 minutes. It should help the body aches and help your body and mind get relaxed and afford very rested sleep. And third, also take Mg Glycinate orally while also using the spray (Mg Chloride) All these are available on line or Pharmacies.

I buy Mg Flakes and dissolve 1 cup Flakes into 1 cup bottled water to use for the Mg spray. This is more economical. 8 sprays is equivalent to 100 mg. Up to 1000 mg is safe according to Dr. Mark Sircus, he is on You Tube.

Magnesium will take months to get built up in our system, 6-12 months, so using the both spray and the soaks will speed it up. Epsom salt for tub soaking is very inexpensive. Or you could also do foot soaks.

Note that Magnesium could not be used in kidney failure. Always ask your MD if Magnesium is OK for you.

Hope this helps.

Hi Mama to Many, one other question. I am super sensitive to any thing sweet I avoid all sugars and even really sweet fruits. I am horrifically addicted to sugar so I am concernd about taking molasses, is there another option, I also do not want to get candida again and if I do take it can I put it in water to take away the sweetness? Thanks.

Thanks Mama to Many, great name. I will try your suggestions, however whenever I drink vinegar it makes me feel incredibly sick; is there an alternative to that? Also I don't have diarreah, just loose stools. Is the remedy you suggested good any way? Thanks SO MUCH. Gillian

Dear Gillian, so sorry about all this pain and discomfort. I am sure it is discouraging. Several things come to mind as I read your post.

First, someone else suggested b-12, which sounds like a good idea to me, too.

Charcoal is excellent for bad breath and diarrhea. If you can stop the diarrhea, you may be able to absorb more nutrients. I would suggest 4 charcoal capules or tablets, twice a day. Do not take within two hours of medication. You can take more if you like, it can just be hard to coordinate it with other meds and supplements.

You say you have a low grade virus and athletes foot. Extra virgin coconut oil is good for viruses and athlete's foot. You could start with 1 t. Three times a day and work up to 1 T. Three times a day. Soaking your feet in 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water may help the misery of athlete's foot as well. Do this for 15 minutes a day. (Any kind of vinegar works for this.)

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar might help you with several issues. It can help certain kinds of pain by reducing inflammation. Plus it helps to balance PH. Try 1 t. In 6 oz of water, twice a day. If that sits well with you, work up to 1 T. in 8 oz of water twice a day.

The yellowish skin makes me think of your liver. Dandelion tea would be a good blood and liver purifier. Start with 1 cup a day and work up to 2 cups a day.

If you have a way to juice organic carrots, that would be a concentrated form of nutition. So would Blackstrap molasses. (1 T. once or twice day.)

I hope this list isn't overwhelming. You have many health challenges and it may take several things to get you feeling better. These would be good things to start with.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

~Mama to Many~

Hi Gillian;

These are the many symptoms of B12 deficiency. They are terribly painful. It's difficult to diagnose because tests can be inaccurate. Please find a doctor who knows how treat this, or take high dose sublinguals. ( some people with neurological symptoms will require very high dosages.)

Hi, I need help. I am having very severe pain in my neck and shoulders, under my skin it feels gravelly and stringy/ropey. The pain feels electric. I also have similar pain and gravelly feeling around my hips. Massage acupuncture chiro just aggravate it. I feel very stressed, lots of brain fog, bad ocd and a feeling of malevolence. And feel stuck.

Sometimes the pain is so bad I want to die, tho I am not suicdal.

I am very exhausted and sleep very poorly, tho I take trazodone and deep sleep an herbal sleep aid.

My digestion is very bad lots of loose stools very smelly lots of dumping indigestion, acid stomache, bad breath, athletes foot feet very smelly even if I wash them. I am a little underwieght.

My left lower leg and foot is partly numb and has been for a few years it is not from diabetis.

I am SCARED cuz now my right leg is feeling kind of numb and tingley too. My balance feels off.

Yesterday I felt lightheaded and disoriented. I was told I have a low grade virus white blood cell count high, but they could not say what kind of virus. Does anyone know what it could be or how to heal it?

I feel achey, my voice is kind of weak and I have a dry cough and vaginal infection.

My skin color is kind of yellowish. my lfts were normal no mono or anemia.

I had been feeling terrible emotionally, tremendous rage, loads of uncontrollable crying, and depression, for long time, but the past few days my emotions are better.

I had been on a very low dose 6.5 mg venlafazine, generic of effexor which I stopped around 4 months ago with doctors ok.

I am still on 300mg of gabapentin, generic of neurotin for mood swings.

I do not use any sugar or junk food or flour.

I feel that I am getting very little nutrition from my food.

If anyone has suggestions, I would be grateful and if you can be very specific that would help as I get overwhelmed with all the info out there. The air quality in my home is bad despite a very good air filter. Thanks so much for any suggestions.

For your partner's problem, Pumpkinseed oil softgels. He needs to get on an Alkaline diet. Also good, baking soda, turmeric , can use ACV in juice. Good health to you, much love, pass it forward. -Sunny

I got to thinking that your sister's pain has gone on for so long it must be from something she is eating and/or drinking. Pain is inflammation and inflammation comes from nerve stimulants. Our food supply has been permeated with hidden sources of MSG that are nerve stimulants and can stimulate some nerve cells to death. There are also many things in our food supply that are harder to digest because they have been engineered to last longer (GMO's).

GMO grasses and grains are being fed to the animals we eat. GMO's are also being fed to the critters we get milk and eggs from. It is essential that you do not cook in plastic or buy milk in plastic jugs. There is no such thing as "microwaveable plastic".

Each of us are on our own as far as finding out what foods we can tolerate based on what we have eaten as we have grown up. Foods can be healing but at the same time they can be contributing to multiple ailments. Raw fruits and vegetables are no longer safe for me.

I've had to reduce my three extra large egg consumption to one or two medium. I've had to reduce my meat to only two or three ounces at a meal. I've had to reduce my grass-fed dairy cow whole milk in glass bottles to the two percent milk, in glass bottles. I sometimes dilute that, especially in the winter because the cows are being fed more corn to produce more milk. Cheese is made from this milk and sharp cheese has been reported to contibute to arthritis. I have to get butter without salt because the flowing/anti-caking agent contributes to pain. I use sea salt.

This is only a synopsis but I hope this gives you some help for your sister.

If you haven't already, try Magnesium oil. There are brands that come in a spray bottle. I only paid $8.99 for mine and it's lasted me months. Spray those areas right before you get into bed. I bet you will notice a huge difference.

Try some rubbing some magnesium oil into your feet. Should reduce pain and cramping etc.

Could be you have a pinched nerve in the spine, I had three numb toes and outside of my foot was touchy, put a pillow under your thighs while sleeping and try to stay well hydrated with balanced minerals and bend backwards to open up your spine, try epsom salts bath.

I have been taking 5HTP for anxiety and mild depression. It has also helped with my ankle and shoulder pain as well. Best wishes

I get a cramping feeling in my toes, last 3 on one foot, like they're gonna spasm. and I get pains on the sides of my feet, on the outsides. Don't know what to do, it hobbles me when I get up but gets better during the day.

Dear Kerry, So sorry about your sister's pain. I am seeing lots of good ideas from others here for you. I would agree with them. I had also been thinking about turmeric and Blackstrap molasses.

Topically, castor oil may be of help. It is good for pain and seems to draw out offending things at the same time.

Good quality peppermint essential oil topically is also really good for pain and can be healing.

Apple Cider Vinegar is also something we use for pain. Last night two of my children slept with an apple cider vinegar poultice - one to reduce the pain and swelling from a red wasp sting and another had twisted an ankle during a kickball game. Both were much improved today. I soaked a cloth in vinegar, wrapped the pained part, wrapped that in plastic wrap and then covered it with a sock. She could try wrapping her foot this way over night a few nights a week for a month and see how it goes.

Many find the Apple Cider Vinegar (raw, unpasteurized) to help pain when taken internally as well. 1 T. in 8 oz. Of water twice a day. With honey if desired.

Pete Escogue has a book called "Pain Free" which might be of help. Check out the reviews on amazon.

Please let us know how it goes!

~Mama to Many~

Turmeric and ginger reduce inflammation. BSM contains minerals and the B-Complex vitamins that reduces pain. Please note she will still have to watch what she eats because food is being engineered to last longer and has become difficult to digest. Raw fruits and vegetables are really hard to digest. A lot of that contributes to inflammation so finding the right balance may take some time. GMO's are in everything. Try to stay away from MSG, corn, soy and products that contain them. Sometimes I use aspirin that is not coated. It is the oldest remedy and I believe the safest.

Kerry, two things that come to mind to try:

1. Epsom salt soaks.
2. Foot alignment as per KatySays.com at the alignedandwell website.

You might want to try something called EFT... Google it!

Check out magnesium oil and MSM.

Dear Earth Clinic, My sister deals with chronic ankle pain. She has had this pain since she was 5 or 6, and has been to specialists numerous times, tried chiropractics, massage and reiki, with no positive effects. She did find short term relief from acupuncture (up to 2 days). She wore a brace for years, which did help but she ended up with significant muscle loss from it. About a year ago, she had a pretty major exploratory surgery with a specialist and they cleaned out debris, but did not find any major defect. The last year has been good, with very limited pain, until recently. The pain seems to be back full-force and it is so extreme she can not sleep. It hurts all the time, but the worst is sleeping and driving.

Up to this point, she has been able to resist pain killers, and I think she is pretty dedicated to living without them, but we are concerned that the pain will be too much as time goes on. She is now only 26.

With all that said, I am looking for some alternative options (more alternative then the avenues mentioned above). We have spoken about doing a cleanse (probably the Master Cleanse/lemonade diet), which we did once before and really liked. I would be interested in dietary suggestions, remedies, alternative doctors and anything else people think may be applicable. Thank you very much!

My Chiropractor gave me this tip for pain in muscles and joints. Hey, it works for me. Get a bottle of winter green rubbing alcohol, add 30 asprin and 2 Tablespoons of epsom salts. Let it dissolve and be sure to shake it up each time you spray it on the affected area. I can't take aspirin by mouth, but I can use it topically, and this solution works, and quick.

I had neck surgery in an emergency... I flinched and a week later had finger pain , then back pain , saw my doc and got a pain shot that didn't help , then went to ER and got x-ray and they said they couldn't find anything and gave me more pain meds and then I saw a neurosurgeon who sent me for MRI and found that when I flinched, I chipped my disc and a fragment was trapped between two disc and was paralyzing my left upper quadrant... I regularly did aerobics with weights and was VERY FIT and young with toddlers. Two weeks into this ordeal the surgeon removed the fragment and it took me months on end to recover the muscles. I couldn't push myself up on the bed with my arm, had to ROLL off the side of the bed. Now arthritis in that part of my neck.

I SAY USE MAGNESIUM AND DRINK WATER WITH SEA SALT IN YOUR DIET prevent this happening to you.

This surgeon did three operations that week for this same condition......1990

read Dr. Batmanghelidj
read Miracle of magnesium Carolynn Dean
Lastly for overall health read Coconut cures Bruce Fife.

I have been reading 3-5 books on health a month for 30 yrs. Trying to find answers... I recommend these

I used to cry out of pain. Arthritis, stomach ache, low memory. Even painkillers didn't help me. Everything changed when I tried a coffee enema.

About 1 minute after coffee goes into my body, pain just disappeared. It worked for headache, period pain, joint pain, just about any pain.

Hi, is there a way to take Apple Cider Vinegar if you cannot tolerate vinegar due to candida, does the pill form affect candida? will a very small dose be ok? any ideas? Butterfly

For those who have foot pains/leg pains I have been using Arnica cream and the tiny lil Arnica pills (dissolve in mouth), also I am back to drinking Apple cider vinegar too and it helps too.. But the Arnica cream and pills are a quick fix and a great substitute for Advil, Aleve and or Tylenol.. My favorite is the Arnica cream because I take a lot of vitamins by mouth already, but sometimes I do take the lil Arnica pills too.. You can take the lil Arnica pills with the cream also.. Works for me especially at nite and with walking during the day.. I am also on a forced regiment of drinking enough water.. You know as we get older and wiser we tend to loose our tastebuds for thirst so must keep muscles, body, brains ect. hydrated!! Love this earthclinic website!!!!!!!! Hope this helps you too!!

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I tried ACV and honey (2 tsp each) in water, 2X a day for joint and muscle pain. The first day it helped my knee and ankle pain almost immediately. On the fourth night I felt poisoned---hips, knees and ankle joints VERY painful, stomach bloated; limbs, face, lips tinglling. Is this cleansing, and should I continue or not? I am very disappointed as I was so hopeful.

I get sharp and aching pain in my lower legs and tight calf muscles. Also vericose veins. It comes and goes. I used to drink a lot of coffee and take asprin. Here are a few things that help:

No caffeine or soda (Coke, Pepsi).
Capsules of CoQ 10.
Ted's lemon and baking soda remedy.
An alkaline diet. Such as eating just peaches or oranges and spinache all day.
No gluten (bread, pasta, cereal, soy sauce).
Yogi brand Joint Tea. (also gets rid of headaches and fatigue) Good steeped with a teaspoon of crushed black peppercorns and drunk hot. The tea is cool mint flavored and the peppercorns are hot :)
A glass of calcium fortified soy milk, a banana and a nap.
[Curcumin supplement]. Maybe take a C and a B vitamin and some Milk Thistle with it.

Gucci, it seems to me your body is screaming for more rest....

Last three years ago periods were not timely, Dr said have Endometriosis and ovary cyst, later started heelspur and plantar fascitis I am an active standing and working all day. Last two years have been doing yoga and saw podiatrist said need special shoes weraing them still sine wake up to sleep still no cure. Later found Vit D defiecient, have high bp already, found out Sugar was high. Recently found now my nerves are giving pain. No clue what is going on please help.

I am on losartan for bp, taking metformin to prevent sugar, taking gabapentin for nerves because my feet soles are just tingling.

What is Bowen Therapy?

This method of muscular and soft tissue release originated in Australia in the 1940's by way of Tom Bowen. Although it is world renowned, surprisingly few people know about it.

While laying on a massage table while fully clothed, your practitioner will gently roll your muscles-tendons-ligaments in different directions and orders. He or she will leave the room for two to five minutes to allow your body to process the reflexes that take place.

Many of the moves are made over the meridian points and along the meridian pathways, so the Chi is stimulated and moved. Additionally, the reflex arcs, which are the opposite of a knee jerk reaction, initiate the muscles to release rather than contract.

Since the meridian points contain many chemicals including endorphins, these are released during the treatment. The meridian points are also direct current transformers.

The sum total of the Bowen moves are; muscular relaxation, energy stimulation, nervous system balancing, and postural re- alignment.

It is effective in the relief of a number of medical issues.

To find a practitioner: www.bowendirectory.com

I've recently become aware of a promising therapy for pain (for me it's an arthritic knee) and would like to know whether any EarthClinic users have any experience with it. It's called Bowen Therapy, named for the Australian healer who developed it and there is lots of info on the web about it.

Pycnogenol, is a patented form of it... More expensive, but I prefer it's potency over non patented.. But really can't verify if it is better. There are many different products... Read some reviews here... (I found the 100mg to be too strong... I prefer 50mg)

http://www.iherb.com/product-reviews/Healthy-Origins-Pycnogenol-100-mg-60-Veggie-Caps/4128/?p=1

Hi, could you tell me where you bought this product and do you know if it is contraindicated by any drugs or health problems? thanks, lyleisha

Hi, I used to have severe shoulder pain from an old injury I aquired from a bicycle accident which lasted about 10 years. I could hardly lift my arm up and the doctors told me there was nothing I could do about it. And that I had probably developed arthritis in it.

And also I had severe pain in both my knees and my ankles. I changed my diet due to another problem- to an all-most all vegetarian and fruit diet and loads of fresh juice I juice myself NOT STORE BOUGHT JUICE.

I also started YOGA about a year ago. I am 67 years old and right now I have no pain in any of my joints whatsoever! I suggest that you purchase "Yoga beginners manual by Alice Christensen" and follow the instructions in this book! It took me about 3 to 4 months to get rid of my pains and feel good again but you must stick to the diet and the exercises in this book! I know what it's like to live with pain!

I don't have pain anymore and I regained all the strength in my injured shoulder!

Let me start off by giving a big cudos to this website. I have been using this site as a "point of reference" for the last 3 years, while trying many of the remedies for various ailments.

Yesterday, I decided to pull out a bag of pine tree bark extract powder that I had procured from purebulk a few years ago. I had not been taking it for sometime. I pulled out my cap machine, some empty veggie caps and commenced to put approximately 400 mgs in each cap. I then took one. My right hand has been giving me fits, particularly the right thumb, for sometime now. Nothing gave evidence of completely taking the problem away for me. Yet, that one cap of pinebark extract has proved to be so encouraging!

The pain today, 24 hours since taking, is probably 85% gone. That is quite amazing to me. Evidentally, one of the benefits of pine tree bark extract is that one dose keeps working for 72 hours... When you cap your own, this turns out to be one of those inexpensive propositions, along the line of humic acid, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, colloidal silver, dmso, vitamin D3, apple cider vinegar, blackstrap molasses, borax, green tea, . Bentonite clay, etc. (thanks, Ted for all your applied chemistry expertise through the years! ). Thanks again, Earth Clinic!

Hi you all and Ted, Are the Apple Cider Vinegar tablets easier on the system than the regular liquid acv? Also I have candida and do not do well with vinegar.

I am desparate. I hav excruciating pain in my shoulders and and neck -I have arthritis and fibromialgia and now I am starting to have severe pain in my feet and am scared I will not be able to walk.

I am utterly exhasted and wake up around 2, 3, 4 am and sleep poorly when I do slleep this has been going on for months and months and months. I take deep sleep a supplement but it is not remedying the problem

I also have terrible digestion and it feels like my colon area is full of toxic sludge but am not sure which cleanse to do that is safe. I am too thin.

I HAVE TRIED SO MANY THINGS and I'm not getting better, any ideas? Sorrell

I've had a chronic pain in my teeth for some time now; had a few surgeries and no improvement so I suspected it may be neuro-related. I searched the net and someone mentioned that celery juice helped them to deal with fibromyalgia/chronic pain. I have been on celery juice for a few days now and it has worked really well for me. I usually juice two to three sticks in the morning (I add an apple or carrots as celery on its own is a bit salty) mix the juice with the pulp and drink or rather eat the mixture. I do the same in the evening. Celery contains all of the "B" vitamins, which are said to be essential in treating the nerve system, that's possibly why my pain is a lot less these days.