GOLDEN NUGGETS ON NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF CHRONIC PAIN

The other day a fellow approached me and said, "Give me some of that stuff that takes away pain." I thought that was an interesting way of introducing himself to me and yet, that is how a lot of people expect to be treated. Just take a pill and the pain or disease will be gone. Unfortunately, that is not how it works.

I wrote in an earlier Nugget that all chronic pain problems have an associated nutritional dysfunction. When the body is in constant pain, the reserves and assets of the body are diminished to the point that the body cannot function properly. The body does this in order to just "stand erect." Another way of saying it is that it will do anything to stay alive and functioning. As a result, when we have pain, we become more tired and less active, not only because of the pain, but we just don't have the energy. We are run down and deprived of the nutritional factor that keeps us going. I believe that we were created to have a spring in our step and anything that diminishes that step is a problem.

When I write or talk about nutrition, I am not talking about throwing away your medications that your doctor gives to you. Nutrition is not a substitute for the advice that your doctor gives to you. Proper nutrition enhances the strength of the immune system and when used along with a good exercise program and body balancing, the body can usually overcome its pain problems. I URGE YOU, KEEP TAKING YOUR MEDICATIONS UNTIL YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU TO STOP TAKING THEM, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, EAT THE PROPER NUTRITION THAT YOUR BODY REQUIRES.

I work with Standard Process, which is a company that specializes in whole foods for various problems. For example, if you have chronic pain, most likely, you have an exhausted adrenal gland and you are totally exhausted. Now, there may be other things that are going wrong, but for now, let's say you are just exhausted from a poorly functioning adrenal gland. One of the things that will not interfere with any medications you are taking is a product called Drenamin. It is whole food. I would ask you to take this for a short period of time in order to see if there are any positive changes. If there are changes for the better, keep taking this product until you are out of your pain cycle. Other problems will require careful analysis through the use of procedures, such as applied kinesiology and trace mineral analysis in order to discover your imbalances. In the meantime, I will suggest that you improve your eating habits. Reduce your total simple carbohydrate intake, drink one half of your body weight in ounces of water per day, and exercise. Also, take your anti-oxidants.

Over the years, I have treated many arthritic patients. The goal of the treatment is to reduce pain and increase strength and range of motion of the joints and muscles. I always start my patients on light weight training, gentle range of motion and in some cases, myo-fascia releasing techniques. I also ask them to take 3000 mgs of glucosamine synergy with chondroton and 3000 mgs of flax seed oil. Glucosamine will help build up and stabilize the joints while chondroton will bring joint nutrition. Flax seed oil will lubricate the joints and muscles. If you have arthritis, try this protocol for 30 days and see if you have positive results.

It is very important that the physical therapist and your medical doctor work closely together on solving your problem. I always advise my patients to re-visit their physician after one month of treatment and every month thereafter, if they still have any degree of pain.

Chronic pain problems are a part of life, but they can be overcome. Just remember, you were created to have a spring in your step and to have a song in your heart.

God bless each of you

Bud Golden
Physical therapist
Certified nutritionist and fitness consultant