Natural Alternatives to Pain Medication

By Dr. Rachel Roberts Oppitz, ND

There are many naturally occurring compounds in foods and medicinal plants that can reduce inflammation,

lessen pain, and improve quality of life for people with chronic pain syndromes.  Many of them affect

cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the same enzyme inhibited by Vioxx and the other COX-2 inhibitors. 

Regardless of the specific treatment modalities a practitioner uses, the holistic viewpoint is about looking the

 root cause of the problem.  With regard to chronic pain, there are a limited number of root causes:  trauma

(new or old), immune system imbalances leading to chronic inflammation, dietary imbalances, and food allergies.

Reactions to food have been shown to be a cause of joint pain.  Toxicities, particularly heavy metal toxicities

 can also be a source of joint pain.  On the other hand, vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also lead to joint pain. 

It is often necessary to provide temporary relief of pain, but it is important to identify why someone is having

 chronic pain, and is more productive in the long run than masking it with pharmaceuticals.

Fish oil and other omega-3 fatty acids reduce the production of proinflammatory cytokines.  Fish oil

 supplementation is generally safe and well tolerated.  Few side effects have been reported.  There is

concern about heavy metal contamination of fish, specifically mercury.  Quality control of products is an

 essential part of safety.  To ensure quality, fish oil products should be purified by a process that removes

environmental toxins such as dioxins, PCBs, and heavy metals.  Research unanimously supports the cardio

 protective effect of omega-3 fatty acids.  Omega-3 fatty acids should also be obtained dietarily from sources

such as salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, walnuts, ground flaxseeds, sea vegetables, and wild game.

The combination of glucosamine  and chondroitin also makes a lot of sense for individuals with osteoarthritis

or other types of joint pain.  Glucosamine stimulates new cartilage production, while chondroitin sulfate inhibits

enzymes involved in the breakdown of collagen.  Together, they slow the degeneration of collagen in the synovial

spaces while stimulating new collagen formation.  There are a number of clinical studies that consistent use of

 glucosamine/chondroitin can improve joint collagen and reduce joint pain.  The incidence of mild side effects

 is 6-12%.  The most commonly reported side effects include GI disturbances, drowsiness, headaches, and

 skin reactions.  These complaints are generally mild in character and are reversed when treatment with

 glucosamine sulfate is discontinued.  Some evidence exists suggesting that that glucosamine may contribute

 to insulin resistance, so type II diabetics, prediabetics, and obese people should use with caution.  Evidence

 also indicates that individuals with active peptic ulcers and individuals taking diuretics tend to have an increased

incidence of side effects from glucosamine sulfate.  The source of glucosamine sulfate in nutritional supplements

is shellfish chitin.  Therefore, individuals with a shellfish allergy should avoid glucosamine sulfate supplementation.

Strong anti-inflammatory herbs useful for pain management include ginger, turmeric, rosemary, green tea,

oregano, and skullcap.  Green tea, ginger, and turmeric, in particular, contain many compounds that can down

 regulate COX-2, as well as COX-1, though none are selective COX-2 inhibitors.  Ginger, turmeric, and green tea

also inhibit lipoxygenase.  When you inhibit COX, there is a biochemical shift, and the arachidonic acid—the

 substrate for many inflammatory mediators—is shunted down the LOX pathways.  Anti-inflammatory herbs provide

 a more complete but less extreme down regulation of more of the enzymes and pathways involved in the

 inflammatory cascades.  Pharmaceuticals can be much more powerful and rapid, but they do not provide the

checks and balances that whole herbs can provide.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organic sulfur-containing compound that occurs naturally in a variety of

 fruits, vegetables, grains, and animals including humans.  MSM has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and

antioxidant mechanisms.  Additional studies suggest MSM has no effect on COX or PGE2 activity, and operates

 on a COX-independent pathway.  MSM is believed to be non-toxic. 

Other alternative treatments include homeopathy, stress reduction, biofeedback, acupuncture, chiropractic

 manipulation, bodywork, hydrotherapy at a medical spa, dietary changes, and exercise.

Pills and capsules (be they pharmaceuticals, vitamins, or herbs) are convenient and can be highly effective. 

 Nevertheless, inflammation and chronic pain are complex psycho-physiological processes.  When searching

 for treatment options for chronic pain, bear in mind that a complex physiological state can only be truly rectified

through a comprehensive multimodal approach.  No single enzyme or chemical compound is entirely responsible

for a complex disorder and no one therapy is “the answer”. 

Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic
720 N. 30th St.
Billings, MT 59101
PHONE 406·259·5096/FAX 406·248·5655

ync@180com.net

Dispensary
406·254·9682

dispensary@yncnaturally.com