CREGIER@UPEI.CA (Sharon Cregier) (02/09/91)
Index Number: 13613 Contributors to this NET have often mentioned the ineffectiveness of drugs touted as painkillers, whether vallium, morphine, codeine, etc. The Nov/Dec 1990 issue of ALIVE magazine (Canadian Health Reform Products, Box 8055, Burnaby, BC V5H 3X1) was dedicated to alternative approaches to pain control. Following is a summary of the information: Stefan Kuprowsky, MA, ND noted that side-effects often accompany long-term use of drugs for pain. The body's natural painkillers, endorphins, are released during traumatic episodes or vigourous exercise, meditation, listening to powerful music and, it is thought, during the consumption of sweets. He recommends acupuncture in chases of chronic pain. Soft lasers, moxa-heat, acupressure, and electro-acupuncture are not as effective or long-lasting as needle acupuncture, but can be used to maintain pain relief. A naturopath or acupuncturist can train the patient for in-home use of some of the devices. Transcutenous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is another home pain management approach, requiring use 2 - 3xd up to 20-30mins each time. It supposedly blocks the transmission of pain signals to the brain. Electrical massage is useful for relieving pain casued by muscle spasms. One unit uses high frequency sound waves and improves circulation. [NB: I don't believe this is recommended for MS or epilepsy patients. The devices are said to actually trigger spasms and seizures in such patients, but this would have to be double-checked. Sometimes doctors recommend this treatment for their patients only to have the physiotherapist tell the doctor of the hazards. SEC] Magnetic Field Therapy is used in healing damaged tissue. MEDICAL INSURANCE may cover some of these approaches. Rent a product before you decide to invest the megabucks. These products are sold in Canada through: Jade Ocean, Vancouver (604) 432-7212; ACU MED, Rexdale, ON (416) 798-0061; WP Manufacturing, Rexdale, ON 416- 741-1246 NUTRITIONAL PAIN REMEDIES is written, in the same issue, by Carlson Wade, a medical writer with 40 published books and thousands of articles. He is a member of the American Medical Writers Association. Bradykinin is released when cells are injured. This pain-trigger substance is sent to the brain for translation as HURT. Drugs can block the pain, but do not necessarily help heal. WILLOW BARK is a highly recommended herbal remedy. It contains salicylate used before aspirin was brought in at the end of the 19th century. It reduces fever, relieves pain, and reduces inflammation. It is effective against arthritis. It inhibits prostaglandin production, those hormone-like substances that produce fever, sensitize pain receptors and intensify inflammation. FEVERFEW reduces the pain of migraine, a finding confirmed by the University of Nottingham. (Lancet 23 July 88). It is speculated that Feverfew affects serotonin. (See also: British Medical Jl. 291:569-573, E.S.Johnson). B-COMPLEX VITAMINS are urged as a pain reliever by Richard M Linchitz, medical director of the Pain Alleviation Center of Long Island and aast. prof. of psychiatry at the SUNY, Stony Brook, and author of Life Without Pain. B/3 relieves arthritis and ends the pain of migraine when the headache starts. B/6 aids the brain in the production of anti-pain neurotransmitters. It also seems to strengthen the immune system which can be hurt by chronic pain. INOSITOL seems to be antianxiety, antistress, calming and relaxing nutrient. B-6. John M Ellis, MD, author of Free of Pain finds pyridoxine as the single most effective pain reliever for carpal tunnel syndrome, sore wrists, arthritis. He prescribes up to 200 milligrams daily. But gives other supplements as well. VITAMIN C seems to prevent and relieve msucle soreness and can be taken a day ahead of an expected heavy exercise schedule. James Greenwood, MD, professor of neurosurgery at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Exas, starts his patients on 1500 milligrams of C a day (500 milligrams each meal).
Allen.Marker@p0.f14.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Allen Marker) (03/16/91)
Index Number: 13999
[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference on Fidonet]
Sharon it seems i have found you on yet another echo. I read the
information you sent about chronic pain and while i do not agree with
alot of what was written i feel that alot of doctors fail thier patients
by not percribing(sp) certain medication that are known by the patient
to work for them only because of the fear of possable addiction. There
have been many studies done to show that a person who is under alot of
pain constantly does not become addicted to the drug rather they become
addicted to the idea of not having to deal with the pain. This cause the
loss of willpower if you will to want to try different methods to
control the pain and its control over the person. While i agree that
people who are in pain constantly are in some what of a higher risk
group then the average person, the medicine they take is not for
recreation or enjoyment. Simply a way that they can contiune to be part
of a working socicety and be able to funtion as a contributing member of
such. I am speaking mostly on my own experiance(sp) as you well know and
do not have they acutal facts in front of me but this seems to be the
general concenus of all the instructors i have ever know or delt with.
Nice to hear from you again. Please feel free to contact me at my
fidonet address.
Yours for the art of Karate
Allen Marker
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