Chronic Pain Solutions

There are two kinds of chronic pain.  One type is the condition described in my previous post.  The original injury has healed, but the brain for some reason continues to perceive pain.

The other type of chronic, lingering pain is due to the original injury not healing completely before that same area is traumatized again.  An example may be a basketball player who sprains his ankle and keeps playing on it week after week without proper rest and rehab.

If I see a patient who suffers chronic pain from consistent re-injury, my job is to help stabilize and align the inflamed area and help modify daily activities for maximum healing potential.

If the patient has chronic pain without a specific, active, acutely injured trauma, I recommend the following:

Chiropractic Adjustments to Remove Nerve Signal Interference

A vertebral subluxation (misalignment) at the area of the backbone near a traumatized area will apply a pressure on the nerve root as it branches from the spinal cord.  This pressure will interfere with the nerve signal flow.  Like a radio not tuned exactly to the proper station, the brain receiving a "pinched" signal may express the nerve transmission as distorted, confused.  This "nerve-static" can be perceived by the brain as a nagging pain seemingly from that injury which has already healed.

Stretching to Harmonize Mind and Body

Stretching the muscle does not just affect the muscle fibers.  As any practitioner of yoga will tell you, stretching the body, when done right can relax the mind and calm the spirit.  Also, tight muscles are not just a by-product of stress but an exacerbating factor that increases stress.  The physical-emotional link of stress is most definitely a chronic pain trigger.  And you do not necessarily need to take up a yoga class to enjoy these benefits.  Fifteen minutes a day of mindful stretching and deep breathing with a relaxed attitude can do much to relieve chronic pain.

Antioxidant Therapy to Relieve Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is a result of free radical damage.  Something we cannot avoid because it is a direct result of our cellular metabolism and its use of oxygen.  It is something that also increases with age.  Also,  poor diet, smoking, alcohol and drugs can accelerate free radical damage.  Oxidative stress has been linked to conditions like arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.  The brain that generates chronic pain signals may be doing so because of oxidative stress.  Antioxidants help to control free radicals.  The most powerful antioxidants are the enzymes and molecules, like glutathione, which are already created within us on a cellular level, but there are also nutritional supplements full of antioxidants from plant sources.

Watch this video to discover what I feel is the best antioxidant therapy out there.  (Disclaimer: I do sell this product and own stock in the company that makes this supplement.)

Hydration for Proper Brain Function

Half our body weight in ounces.  That's what we need to drink every day.  A 150 pound man, for example, should drink 75 ounces of water a day.  KG Stiles explains in an online article:

Nerve transmission is heavily dependent upon water. Small waterways, or micro-streams run along the full length of your nerves. These streams float the neurotransmitters along microtubules to the nerve endings.

When your body is dehydrated, nerve transmission is compromised and brain function strongly diminished. Chronic nerve pain can simply be the end result of chronic dehydration.

Exercise Because No Pain, No Gain

Ask any athlete who works out on a regular basis.  Post workout pain is expected.  Not just expected, but sought after on most days.  Aside from the fact that this pain indicates the process of muscle mass building and increasing muscle strength, the workout pain "hardens" a person-- toughens the tissues, focuses the mind and provides a stress outlet.  As the inner-athlete emerges, the person begins to associate pain with progress and fitness.  Pain is no longer the enemy, but becomes in a strange way more of an annoying friend.

It should be said that this workout pain mentioned here is entirely different from the pain that may occur when one unwisely injures him or herself by using incorrect technique or pushing towards inappropriate exercise limits.  And yes there's a fine line...