Holistic Treatments for Chronic Pain

Holistic Treatments for Chronic Pain

Nothing is more debilitating than chronic pain. Accident or physical trauma is a cause of long term pain. Conditions such as fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome are also associated with chronic pain.

Most of the time patients who go to a doctor for pain NOT associated with a trauma or accident are disappointed when no clear diagnosis is given. We see patients who commonly believe or are told that "the pain is in their head".

Holistic Treatments for Chronic Pain – Research

Traditionally, NSAIDS or narcotics may be prescribed for managing chronic pain. Holistic Treatments for Chronic Pain alleviate these symptoms by getting to the root cause.

In fibromyalgia muscle fatigue is very common along with chronic pain. In a research study it was found that muscle fatigue was dependent upon testosterone levels (see Am J Physiol Regul Intgr Comp Physiol. 2008 April; 294(4): R1347-R1355). The researchers were able to mitigate fatigue in female mice by administering testosterone. In women the amount of testosterone that is produced competes with the production of the adrenal hormone cortisol. Clinically, we find that adrenal stress and fatigue causes a lower amount of testosterone production. Therefore, re-balancing adrenal function is one of the Holistic Treatments for Chronic Pain.

Holistic Treatments for Chronic Pain should also include stress management. In a study of 53 fibromyalgia patients half were treated with standard medication while the other half participated in an eight week Yoga program. Significant results were shown in the Yoga group: pain was reduced 24%, fatigue was reduced 30%, depression was reduced 42% (see Pain, 2010; 151 (2): 530 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2010.08.020).

A study published in Nature Neuroscience suggests that back pain after an injury may be in the head. Researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine demonstrated that emotional patterns established in the brain after an injury predicted the persistence of chronic pain (see Nat Neurosci. 2012 Jul 1 ;15(8):1117-9. doi: 10.1038/nn.3153.).  However, because of the plasticity of the brain these patterns may be reversed by utilizing the energy of the heart. A well-researched biofeedback technique developed by neuro-cardio physiologists at the Institute of HeartMath has been shown clinically to reduce symptoms of stress including pain.  Similarly, mindfulness stress reduction has been shown to improve the symptoms associated with pain (see Pain. 2011 Feb ;152(2):361-9. Epub 2010 Dec 13).

Meditation, biofeedback, and adrenal support are Holistic Treatments for Chronic Pain.

Holistic Treatments for Chronic Pain– Areas we serve

Family and Environmental Medicine help patients with Holistic Treatments for Chronic Pain by testing for salivary hormone levels. Additionally, Dr. Gary Gruber is a certified HeartMath practitioner. The information contained in this article is not intended as the only Holistic Treatments for Chronic Pain but should be considered as part of a total program of healing. Dr Gary Gruber provides private appointments for patients from around the country who seek health and healing with Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The majority of patients are from the local area including Greenwich CT, Stamford CT, Darien CT, Norwalk CT, New Canaan CT, Wilton CT, Westchester County, NY, NYC, and Northern NJ. For additional Holistic Treatments for Chronic Pain please contact us at (203) 966-6360.


Natural Solutions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Natural Solutions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A storm is brewing. Everyday stress is escalating. Your diet might not be as good as it should be. You are exercising irregularly. Fatigue is setting in and coffee or other stimulants are vital to keeping your energy up in the afternoon. Then another stress hits: a cold or allergy, a relationship problem, a personal financial worry, a family issue. The explosion hits and a group of digestive symptoms commonly called Irritable Bowel Syndrome unfold and change your health and well-being. While there are many Natural Solutions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, holistic treatments are most effective.

Natural Solutions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Research

In a study from the American College of Gastroenterology researchers from the Mayo Clinic found that children who experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse were more likely to present with Irritable Bowel Syndrome as an adult (see http://gi.org/media/press-release-archives. ACG 76th Annual Scientific Meeting, Psychological Traumas Experienced over Lifetime Linked to Adult Irritable Bowel Syndrome).  At Family and Environmental Medicine we ask about ALL traumas including emotional ones because we know that these unconsciously impact health and well-being. We help our patients learn HeartMath (see www.HeartMath.org) a simple technique to manage daily and lifetime emotional stress. Clinically. we have found that utilizing HeartMath is a Natural Solutions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

In addition to gas, bloating, and constipation, the most distressful symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is diarrhea. For most people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, diarrhea is a significant distraction during work and in social situations. In a German study of 145 patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome the researchers found diarrhea was strongly associated with gluten sensitivity (see Wahnschaffe, U. et al. Predictors of clinical response to gluten-free diet in patients diagnosed with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007 Jul;5(7):844-50). A simple stool or saliva test (more sensitive than blood test) will confirm gluten sensitivity. Avoidance of gluten-containing foods another one of the Natural Solutions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Natural Solutions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome– Local areas we serve

Family and Environmental Medicine help patients with Natural Solutions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome by testing for digestive system function using the GI Stool Effects test from MetaMetrix Laboratories. Additionally, Dr Gary Gruber is a certified HeartMath practitioner. The information contained in this article is not intended as the only natural solutions for irritable bowel syndrome treatment but should be considered as part of a holistic program of healing. Dr Gary Gruber provides private appointments for patients from around the country who seek health and healing  with Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The majority of patients are from the local area including Greenwich CT, Stamford CT, Darien CT, Norwalk CT, New Canaan CT, Wilton CT, Westchester County, NY, NYC, and Northern NJ. For additional alternative and holistic Natural Solutions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome please contact us at (203) 966-6360.


Natural Medicine for Depression

Natural Medicine for Depression

Chronic illness is always accompanied by many stressors. The stress can be physical such as pain. External circumstances from financial and family problems are common sources of stress. In our culture, environmental toxins play an ever-increasing role  in physical illness by depleting micronutrients necessary for detoxification. The condition of depression may suddenly arise as a result of nutrient depletion.

Natural Medicine for Depression – Research

In several research studies a zinc deficiency correlated with an brain inflammatory-immune response that preceded major depression (Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2011 Apr 29;35(3):693-701). Additionally, patients with diagnosed depression benefited from zinc supplementation.

Depression often accompanies patients with cognitive and memory decline.  In the elderly patients supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12 improved overall mental health including associated depression (Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Jan;95(1):194-203).
15 studies were summarized for the effect of fish oil with depression. It was found that supplementing with fish oil that contained 60% EPA was an effective treatment for primary depression (J Clin Psychiatry. 2011 Dec;72(12):1577-84).

Natural Medicine for Depression – Areas we serve

Family and Environmental Medicine help patients with Natural Medicine for Depression by testing for nutritional deficiencies using the Micronutrient Test from SpectraCell Laboratories. The information contained in this article is not intended as the sole natural medicine for depression treatment but should be considered as part of a holistic program of healing. Dr Gary Gruber provides private appointments for patients from around the country. The majority of patients are from the local area including Greenwich CT, Stamford CT, Darien CT, Norwalk CT, New Canaan CT, Wilton CT, Westchester County, NY, NYC, and Northern NJ. For other solutions to Natural Medicine for Depression please contact us at (203) 966-6360.


Natural Medicine for Headaches

Natural Medicine for Headaches

 

Many people suffer from headaches. It is one of the most common symptoms that bring a patient to the doctor’s office.  Headaches are common to all age groups ranging from children to adults. While there are many over-the-counter pharmaceutical medicines; they are not without side effects. Aspirin may cause stomach discomfort and outright ulcers while non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like acetaminophen may damage the liver.

Natural Medicine for Headaches – Research

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 120 children and adolescents, patients were treated with CoQ10. The patients that were treated with CoQ10 had significantly fewer migraine episodes (see Cephalagia, 2011 Jun;31(8):897-905). Similarly, a small study of 54 migraine patients had infrequent attacks while they were taking lipoic acid for headache prevention (see Headache. 2007 Jan;47(1):52-7).

Nutritional deficiency of CoQ10 and lipoic acid may create a metabolic dysfunction at the cellular level. This dysfunction is because cells require these nutrients for energy metabolism. With low cellular energy, migraines may develop. Testing for deficiency and supplementing as necessary may prevent headaches.

Natural Medicine for Headaches – Areas we serve

Family and Environmental Medicine help patients with natural medicine for headaches by testing for nutritional deficiencies using the Micronutrient Test from SpectraCell Laboratories. The information contained in this article is not intended as the sole natural medicine for headache treatment but should be considered as part of a holistic program of healing. Dr Gary Gruber provides private appointments for clients from around the country. The majority of patients are from the local area including Greenwich CT, Stamford CT, Darien CT, Norwalk CT, New Canaan CT, Wilton CT, Westchester County, NY, NYC, and Northern NJ. For other solutions to Natural Medicine for headaches please contact us at (203) 966-6360.


What Are Natural Remedies For Weight Loss

What Are Natural Remedies For Weight Loss - The Detoxification Solution

Many overweight people are asking What are Natural remedies for Weight Loss? One of the major obstacles to success at losing weight is not being able to move past a plateau.  Clinical experience shows that optimal liver function plays an important role in lipid metabolism (“fat burning”) and a medically-based detoxification program is a successful strategy for lowering toxic load and improving liver function.

The liver becomes the factor that limits fat burning and ultimately weight loss. Most toxins are fat soluble and are stored in fat cells.  In order to use stored fat as energy, the liver must first convert the fat to triglycerides then to sugar.  The liver cannot effectively convert fat to sugar if there are toxins slowing down the system.

Fasting is an inadequate and potentially dangerous strategy for liver detoxification.  A medical food that is specifically designed to enhance and support liver function along with nutritional and dietary changes is a better way to maximize detoxification efforts. When a medical food is selected it must contain ingredients that provide solutions for What are Natural Remedies for weight loss.

What are Natural Remedies for Weight Loss - One Option

One of the options that answers the question What are Natural Remedies for weight loss is green tea. In one study published in the Journal Obesity by Penn State food scientists mice were fed a high fat diet along with green tea. The results showed that green tea was a natural remedy for weight loss because the mice had lower weight gain. Green tea should be included with the medical food for weight loss.

Natural Remedies for Weight Loss - Areas We Serve

Family and Environmental Medicine helps patients with What are Natural Remedies for weight loss. Dr Gary Gruber provides private appointments for clients from around the country. The majority of clients are from the local area including Greenwich CT, Stamford CT, Darien CT, Norwalk CT, New Canaan CT, Wilton CT, Westchester County, NY and NYC. For other solutions to What are Natural Remedies for weight loss please contact us at (203) 966-6360.