Nature’s pharmacy offers a cornucopia of anti-inflammatory plants and herbs that research has shown can benefit people experiencing chronic pain. Traditional medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)—a class that includes aspirin and ibuprofen—are commonly used by chronic pain sufferers but these can lead to significant side effects including potential stomach ulcers and kidney damage. [...]
November 11 is Veterans Day, a federally-designated day to recognize all U.S. veterans who have served in both foreign and domestic settings. Far from being just another holiday when banks are closed and mail isn’t delivered, Veterans Day is set aside to recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of the millions of men and [...]
Tea is a time-honored tradition that was brought to our culture from the Far East through the English empire. Human history is literally steeped in tea. In ancient China, tea was frequently used for medicinal purposes. It eventually made its way to Europe and, especially, England where it became popular in the 17th century. The [...]
Halloween brings out the ghouls and goblins, but for those with chronic pain, the holiday brings about difficulties of a different kind. You may be wondering how you’re going to escort the kids around trick-or-treating. Maybe you're dreading all the ups and downs required to answer the door. To make Halloween a little easier to [...]
Musculoskeletal leg pain involves pain that develops in any of the tendons, ligaments, and muscles in the lower extremities. Conditions ranging from tendinitis to arthritis may be the source of your discomfort. Although this type of pain most frequently develops in the lower back, pain in the leg, hip, knee, or ankle is also common. Musculoskeletal [...]
The flu is a respiratory condition and needs to be treated accordingly but there are also ways to prevent the spread and contraction of the flu. For chronic pain patients who may already have weakened immune systems, this is even more important. Here's some tips for preparing for flu season if you're suffering from a [...]
Stress is a complex, natural response to a perceived dangerous threat. When we feel stress, our bodies release extra adrenaline and cortisol, giving us the temporary ability to move faster, to think more quickly, and to react instinctively. When the threat goes away, our bodies return to a neutral state. This response is healthy and [...]
Bones are living tissue and, because of this, the body is constantly absorbing and replacing minerals from bones. When the body begins to absorb minerals faster than it can replace them, bone density decreases. This decrease in bone density can lead to osteoporosis, which literally means “porous bone.” Here's what you should know about osteoporosis prevention [...]
Cancer pain affects one in three people with cancer. If patients are in late-stage cancer or have experienced metastasis or a recurrence of cancer, the chances of experiencing cancer pain are even higher. Cancer pain has many different causes, each one of which may respond differently to treatment. Here's how you can manage your cancer [...]
We all have our regular tendencies and practices, but the difference between a routine and a habit is that routines are relatively easy to adjust and change, while habits can be especially difficult to give up. That is the bad news. The good news is that you can change your habits. Doing so can help [...]