Pain Supplements and Their Processes, Part 2

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

Pain SupplementsFor part 1 of “Pain Supplements and Their Processes,” click here. Below, we continue exploring some pain supplements, their dosages and their uses.

Turmeric is a plant and the main spice in curry. It is used for arthritis, headaches and fibromyalgia. The chemicals in it are thought to decrease inflammation. Caution is recommended if you are on a blood clotting medication, have diabetes, or have stomach irritability and heartburn problems. The recommended dosage to treat arthritis-related problems is 500 mg twice a day.

Boswellia, or Indian frankincense, is a tree native to India and Arabia. The sap or resin from the bark is extracted into this compound. It is used for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, tendonitis and bursitis. Boswellia is thought to decrease inflammation, and no significant side affects are known. The usual dose for joint pain is 100 to 250 mg a day.

Lastly, green tea is thought to be helpful for headaches and joint pain. This is tea or an extract made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Benefits are obtained from the polyphenols in the steamed fresh leaves. These compounds are thought to prevent inflammation and swelling, and protect and lessen joint cartilage degeneration. It also contains antioxidants that art protective to the heart. It should be noted that green tea does have small amounts of caffeine that could affect heart disease, blood pressure, diabetes, bleeding disorders and osteoporosis. The recommended dosing is about one to three cups of tea per day.

Taking natural supplements for pain may or may not be helpful. Above is a list of some of the compounds that have been recommended for treatment of painful joint conditions. Most have some sort of properties that affect inflammation, but the studies that prove their effectiveness have been somewhat limited. If you wish to try these remedies, and do not have other medical issues, they are likely to be mostly safe, but consult with your physician prior to starting any supplement regimen.

Pain Supplements and Their Processes, Part 1

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

Joint SupplementsJoint pain affects millions in the United States. The CDC estimates that over 50 million people in the US have arthritis, or about 25% of the population. The vitamin and supplement business in the United States is a multi-billion dollar enterprise.

The proof for the effectiveness of any of the compounds is very limited. In general, the best that can be said is that they may be helpful, and the only harm that is likely is possibly a hole in your pocket book. Today, we take a look at some supplements, their common dosages and what they treat. Be sure to check back in later in the week for more information on other pain supplements.

Supplement Guide

Glucosamine is one of the top supplements recommended for joint health. This is a chemical that can be found naturally in the human body. As we age, the levels tend to decrease. It is used by the body in helping build tendons, ligaments, cartilage and the synovial fluid in and around joints. Most commonly it is recommended for those with osteoarthritis. Knee pain is the most common location. In rare cases, side affects have included increases in blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugars. The dose that has been studied is 500 mg three times a day.

Mixed with glucosamine is chondroitin, and this is also normally found in the cartilage of joints. It is manufactured from animal sources, commonly cow cartilage or shark cartilage. Chondroitin is supposed to help with arthritis pain and may help with osteoporosis. It is supposed to work by slowing down breakdown of joint cartilage. A caution is recommended if you have asthma or are on a medicine to prevent blood clots since this may interfere with both conditions. The typical dose is 200 to 400 mg two to three times a day, but it may be all taken at once.

Omega 3 fatty acid supplements are used for a variety of conditions. It has been recommended for blood pressure control, cholesterol, depression, ADHD, diabetes, osteoporosis and inflammatory conditions causing pain including arthritis. Omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil are not made by the body, so ingesting them is necessary, and they reduce pain and swelling. For any condition, this supplement is said to help, but literature also indicates there is a possibility it may also worsen that condition. The dosing for arthritic conditions is about 4 grams a day.

Ginger root is commonly used for muscle and joint pain along with stomach pain. The chemicals in ginger root are thought to work in the stomach and intestines as well as the nervous system to affect inflammation. There is a definite interaction with blood clotting medications, like Coumadin, increasing bleeding problems, so if you are on those, do not take ginger root. There are various ginger extracts on the market and suggested dosing is 170 mg three times a day to 250 mg four times a day.

That’s all we’re going to cover today. Swing back on Wednesday for more information on supplements.

Could Your Child’s Backpack Be Causing Chronic Pain?

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

Backpack PainSummer is still in full swing, but if you’ve been to the store lately, you’ve probably noticed that the shelves are starting to fill up with back to school supplies. Soon enough it will be time to fill your child’s backpack with crayons, folders and textbooks, which can weigh heavy on your child’s back. If your not careful, that heavy backpack could be causing your child some pain. Today, we examine if your child’s backpack is a health risk, and how you can pick out the best backpack for your child.

Back Pack Pain

Just two years ago, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that emergency rooms treated 5,415 patients with backpack-related injuries. The injuries ranged from acute back pain to chronic discomfort, and researchers noted that heavy backpacks were contributing to the problem.

“Wearing a backpack incorrectly or wearing one that’s too heavy can be a contributing risk factor for discomfort, fatigue, muscle soreness, and pain, especially in the lower back,” said Karen Jacobs, EdD, OTR/L, CPE, a clinical professor of occupational therapy at Boston University. Physical Therapist Samantha Dutrow added to Jacobs’ comments, noting that heavy loads can also cause neck and shoulder problems. “Injury can occur when a child is trying to adapt to the heavy load by using improper postures, such as leaning forward, arching the back, and leaning to one side.”

The problem, however, is that with active children, it’s often difficult to determine if the backpack is actually the problem. Backpacks are designed to adequately disperse weight to regions that can handle extra weight, and school-aged children are often involved in numerous activities on a daily basis, which can all contribute to back pain.

Lighten The Load

Here are three tips for picking out a good backpack for your child.

Avoid Rolling Backpacks – Some children like the option of rolling their backpacks around the halls, and yes, it can take some of the load of their back, but the constant picking up and setting down in class and on any stairs will be bad on your child’s back.

Double Strap It – Despite Channing Tatum’s assurances in 21 Jump Street that “one strapping it” is the cool way to wear a backpack, only wearing your backpack over one shoulder can put excess stress on parts of your body. Find a backpack with two straps so its weight is evenly distributed over both shoulders.

Look for Quality – We’re not saying that you need to shell out big coin for a backpack, but don’t just buy the cheapest one off the rack. Look for a quality made backpack with a padded back and a plastic frame sheet, which will help with weight distribution.

If your child complains of back pain, consider looking at their backpack habits, but if problems persist, swing on in to our clinic!

Swearing Can Reduce Pain Levels

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

SwearingAlthough the theory hasn’t been tested on patients with chronic pain, a study published in the American Pain Journal suggests that swearing makes pain more tolerable.

For their study, researchers asked two groups of people to stick their hands in a bucket of ice cold water. Both groups were told to remove their hand from the bucket when the pain became unbearable, but one group was asked to repeat a word that may describe a table, while the other group was encouraged to repeat one swear word while their hand was in the water. After the groups were recorded, they switched roles and repeated the exercise.

Swearing Study Results

As you might imagine, participants in the swearing group were able to hold their hands in the water for a longer duration than the non-swearing group. What you might not have guessed is just how long the swearing group could hold out. On average, swearers lasted an extra 31 seconds in the cold hand challenge, and 3 out of 4 people lasted longer in the bucket when they swore.

Interestingly, researchers noted that people who reported swearing more frequently on a regular basis were less effective cursing was during the cold hand endurance test. They believe people who frequently express their anger in a verbal manner seem to be more sensitive to acute and chronic pain. On the flip side, those who don’t regularly swear were able to better tolerate pain when they cursed.

The reason swearing can help ease your pain is because it can activate your brain’s endogenous opioids, which act as a natural pain reliever. These chemicals mimic the effects of morphine and oxycodone, albeit on a smaller scale. That said, like a lot of medications, once your body gets used to it, the effects may not as successful at relieving pain. Researchers believe that higher doses or more vulgar words may be needed to achieve the same effect, which can cause people to unknowingly start to add more cursing to their regular speech.

In all, letting out a curse word after hitting your thumb with a hammer may help you better handle the pain, but you shouldn’t sit on the couch all day cursing your arthritis.

Related source: Time

Supplements For Joint Pain

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

Chronic joint pain plagues many of my patients, and oftentimes this condition is caused by arthritis. Because so many people suffer from joint pain and arthritis, a lot of pharmaceutical companies are trying to cash in on the demand for vitamins and supplements. But which supplements are the best, and what else should you do to combat arthritis pain?

Vitamins and Supplements

The first thing you’ll want to do is understand that there is no magic pill to fix arthritis. Some supplements may alleviate some symptoms in the short term, but they won’t provide a full on cure. You need to take proactive steps and focus on all aspects of your health if you really want to see results. That means you need to get off the couch and start exercising. We already know that 30 minutes to an hour of moderate to intense activity is great for your body, but it can also help alleviate symptoms associated with arthritis.

Diet is another area of focus. Foods with Omega-3 fatty acids are natural anti-inflammatories, so ditch the pizza and soda for fish and leafy greens. Combined with exercise, a balanced diet can help you lose weight, which means your body won’t need to bear as much weight. Losing weight is a natural way to take some stress off your joints.

Paired With Pills

If you are going to take a supplement to combat your osteo or rheumatoid arthritis, be smart about what you put in your body. First and foremost, you should follow your doctor’s instructions. Ask them what supplements they’d recommend, especially if you are taking other medications to manage pain. Stick to your doctor’s instructions, and never take more than the recommended amount, even if you’re in more pain than normal.

Again, discuss these options with your doctor, but some good vitamins and supplements to consider include:

  • Calcium
  • Vitamin D3
  • Ginger
  • Turmeric
  • Omega-3
  • Vitamin E
  • Green Tea

Paired with diet and exercise, supplements can be a key component in keeping your arthritis under control.