Natural Pain Management

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive chemical derivative of the hemp plant that has been used to reduce local and systemic inflammation, improve the innate immune response to boost and assist in pain management. CBD has been used to help patients taper off of opioid pain medications while supporting the body’s natural production of endorphins. CBD is a safe, effective, non-habit forming nutritional supplement that interacts with the body’s internal endocannabinoid system. It is a natural component of the hemp plant containing virtually no detectable THC and is legal in all 50 states.

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) has been shown to be an immune stimulating, anti-inflammatory compounded medication that is often used to treat autoimmune diseases and chronic pain. Low Dose Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist and has been used to help safely taper people off of chronic pain medications. Naltrexone is affordable for treating pain and in low doses have been shown to boost endorphin release.

One big factor in regulating inflammation (and pain) in the body is diet. This may be hard to believe because it is never offered as an option by most doctors. For most people who experience chronic pain, whether the pain is from a pinched nerve, arthritis, migraine headache, or other condition it may be beneficial to identify which foods are causing inflammation in the body through a simple blood test. Our physicians have seen pain drop anywhere from 30%-90% in patients who have identified and eliminated the reactive foods.

Nature has provided us with many plants and substances that have anti-inflammatory properties. These include white willow bark, turmeric, boswellia, proteolytic enzymes and others. These are much safer for the kidneys and liver than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and in therapeutic strengths and dosages profoundly reduce pain and swelling. In our medicinary at Puyallup Wellness Center, we carry the most effective brand of natural anti-inflammatories.

Although most people who seek alternative or holistic medicine options do not want to use prescription drugs for pain management, there are times when pain medications are indicated. Naturopathic Physicians in Washington are able to prescribe certain pain medications that can be a part of a comprehensive pain management protocol.

Typically, when people experience neck, back or hip pain they are either prescribed pain medication or sent for physical therapy (PT). Oftentimes, pain in the back or neck (including migraines and dizziness) is alleviated by correcting the alignment of bones in the spine. Relief can be literally one neck or back adjustment away! (Yes, naturopathic physicians are trained in spinal manipulations similarly to chiropractors).

You might have heard that your pain is “all in your head” because x-rays, MRIs and other tests do not offer explanations for your symptoms. Maybe you are tired of taking pain killers, are reluctant to go for another surgical procedure, or your body has become resistant to common pain-relieving injections. Perhaps physical therapy, chiropractic and massages are not quite helping anymore either, or their benefits go away too quickly. Maybe you are experiencing a “plateau” in your recovery. You might have noticed that stress makes your pain worse. It seems like no matter what you do, your body (or parts of it) hurts. You might be ready to try CranioSacral Therapy!

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a holistic form of body work that treats both acute and chronic pain. When the body becomes physically injured, tension patterns are created which disrupt normal function at the injury site. These disruptions create compensatory patterns and a cascade of dysfunction ensues – which means, more pain. As an example, the right side of the body is injured, but the long-term resulting pain will result on the left side. CranioSacral therapists are trained to look for the root causes of pain instead of just treating the local symptoms. This whole-body approach brings better balance to the body.
Physical trauma can have an associated emotional component. This is one reason you can still feel pain when it seems that the injured area has already physically healed. Emotions, directly related to the injury or not, often get “stored” at the injury site or in other weakened areas of the body – as a form of compensation. Injured, weakened and disrupted body structures can act like “memory banks” and hold onto emotions for long periods of time.

To add insult to injury, ‘stuck’ emotions related to unexpected, shocking and stressful life events, and chronic emotional stress as well, can lead to anxiety, sleep issues, and pain in the body even when there is no physical trauma. This is why many people with PTSD or c-PTSD (complex trauma) can experience pain in their bodies, despite having no physical injury. Simple life stresses can lead to physical pain as well such as joint and muscle pain, tummy aches, headaches, digestive issues and so on. This somatization process is a normal way for your body to process stress. Too much stress can lead to excessive somatization. Through CST treatment, these stored emotions can be released allowing the person to regain full function, be pain-free, and be more resilient to stress.
CST can help release the tension patterns, whatever their cause (physical and/or emotional), no matter how new or old, and however mild or severe, to help you live a life as pain-free as possible.

For more information on CranioSacral Therapy click here