Controlling pain in patients is perhaps one of a physician’s greatest challenges. Most often pain is not the disease itself but is almost always a symptom of imbalance in one or more areas of the body. Because pain tends to be the greatest motivator for a person to seek medical care, this symptom often takes precedence over any others. Too often pain is treated as just that; a symptom in and of itself. Oftentimes the symptoms of pain are treated instead of working simultaneously to resolve the cause of it.

Excess weight can also contribute to pain and is also a body imbalance. Chronic pain syndromes sometimes persisit because of extra force exerted on bones and joints by excess weight. For example, the spine is designed to carry the body's weight and distribute the loads encountered during rest and activity. When excess weight is carried, the spine is forced to assimilate the burden, which may lead to structural compromise and damage. Unfortunaltely, the physical and sometimes emotional pain felt from excess weight aren't the only concern. The lonstanding symptoms of excess weight often go unnoticed until it's too late. Excess weight can put us at risk for a number of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and some types of cancer. The sooner we address the cause of excess weight and treat it, the better chance we have at preventing unwanted illness.

So many people that deal with chronic pain and excess weight know that medication or surgery alone often does not solve the problem. The tenacity of chronic pain and excess weight often lead people to areas outside of conventional Western medicine. More and more Americans are trying complementary and alternative treatments for their ailments, and this is especially true for those in chronic pain.

What is the Difference between Complementary and Alternative Medicine?

The terms “complementary medicine” and “alternative medicine” often are used interchangeably, but the two are different. Complementary therapies are used together with traditional Western medicine. For example, you may take opioids to manage your day-to-day pain and use acupuncture to help manage flare up episodes. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. For example, using a special diet to treat your arthritis instead of using pharmaceutical medications.

Alternative Medicine is most often practiced by Naturopathic Physicians. One of the main tenets of naturopathic medicine is “treat the cause.” This approach is easily overlooked by some physicians who help patients deal with symptoms only, regardless of duration. Pain & weight management from a naturopathic perspective includes several aspects of treatment that can elicit a physical, emotional, and physiologic changes in a patient’s life.

Naturopathic Approach

The technique of pain control with natural approaches involves identifying, treating, and, if possible, removing the source of the pain and discomfort. A primary intervention in removing pain involves creating an environment in which the body is provided with the best opportunity for health. Besides physical injury, pain and disease can be the result of such factors as poor diet, improper care of the body, and other lifestyle overindulgences and excesses. The goal is to provide the basic framework for better health. Striving for health when one has poor lifestyle habits is self-defeating and people need additional education and treatment until an overall better state of heath can be achieved. As the patient relies on the physician for relief, he/she will also rely on the patient to do their part.

Healing is best achieved when the patient participates in the healing process. They must assume some ownership for their healing. The term “Doctor as teacher” is important in Naturopathic medicine. The Physician’s role is to listen, diagnose, treat, and educate. The patient’s role is to take responsibility for their health by making the necessary life changes and working together with their physician. When treatments are focused around this model, a person’s health is directed away from prolonged periods of pain and disability. Then can the patient enjoy a new sense of health and well being.

Prolotherapy
Trigger Point Injections
Decompression
Acupuncture
Hormones & Neurotransmitters
Food Allergy Testing

“Pain adds rest unto pleasure, and teaches the luxury of health”