General Pain Regimen

Summary: Follow the Water Cure and The Zone Diet, ensuring an adequate amount of protein and essential fatty acids, especially omega 3's. Use a 1:1 ratio calcium magnesium supplement long term and as necessary antiinflammatory herbs such as curcumin (turmeric extract) and enzymes such as bromelain (pineapple enzyme) or pancreatin. Control infections, especially those of virus and bacteria. See the specific regimen for the condition causing the pain, if known.

Most chronic pain is caused by inflammation and most inflammation is caused by infection by bacteria or viruses, even if it is a subclinical infection that escapes detection by conventional medicine. However, mechanical damage to bones, joints, or other tissues can also cause inflammation, as can unrequited tension in muscles and the circulation system. Using a 1:1 calcium magnesium multimineral supplement like Now Full Spectrum Mineral Caps provides the minerals necessary to help repair damage to bones and joints, relax muscles, optimize nerve transmissions, as well as provide the magnesium which is critical for the body to use to fight inflammation. Magnesium also helps prevent fibromyalgia-like symptoms. See the Multimineral Section for more information.

Mechanical damage can also occur from deposits in the body including stones, crystals, and other deposits. For pain caused by these, Planetary Formula's Stone Free is an excellent product, helping clean deposits from the liver, gall, bladder, kidneys, and other tissues and organs. As a bonus, a major ingredient in Stone Free is turmeric, which is one of the best herbal anti-inflammatories.

The Zone Diet is the best diet for controlling inflammatory conditions since it optimizes the balance of hormones in the body. Using an omega 3 supplement like fish oil provides the EPA the body needs to produce anti-inflammation hormones, and is usually recommended for the Zone Diet. See the EFA Supplement section for more information. Eat Right 4 Your Type should also be considered since the wrong foods can promote inflammation, especially the nightshade vegetables - potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers.

Although turmeric extract (curcumin) is an excellent anti-inflammatory, plus has the benefit of controlling some bacterial infections, cleaning the liver instead of destroying like most prescription drugs, and is a better COX-2 inhibitor, it cannot be taken in the large amounts necessary to control severe inflammation since it can upset the stomach taken too much. In this case, non-acidic enzymes can be used. The best for the money are probably plain pancreatin (Enzymatic Therapy Mega-Zyme is the most potent) and bromelain (pineapple enzyme). Many digestive enzyme supplements are acidic and contain HCL or ox bile or other acidic components so can not be used in large enough amounts, but ones of this type are appropriate for using double or triple the recommended dosage.

Another good supplement to control inflammation is boswellia, also known as frankincense. There are various types of boswellia supplements, but a good one is Enzymatic Therapy Fatigued to Fantastic End Pain. It is a good all around pain supplement which in addition to boswellia, contains cherry extract (which helps remove mineral deposits) and white willow extract. White willow is a source of salicin, a chemical similar to aspirin, and provides direct analgesic action.

However, remember again that chronic pain is usually associated with infection, so do not ignore this part of the regimen. See the Antibacterial Regimen or Antiviral Regimen for more information.

Other measures that may be helpful include using a multivitamin to ensure that all nutrients for repair of damages tissues and immune system function are provided.

A complete description and list of ingredients of the following products is provided in Pain Supplement Descriptions