Naturopathic Medicine for Chronic Pain

Naturopathic medicine, with its focus on prevention and non-toxic natural therapies, can effectively treat chronic pain. Chronic pain is usually defined as pain that lasts for more than six months. Naturopathic medicine offers a unique approach to relief from chronic pain that may have no identifiable cause. This is because naturopathic medicine can detect imbalances in the body that irritate nerves and tissue, leading to pain.

How Naturopathic Medicine Treats Chronic Pain

Naturopathic medicine first attempts to determine the nature and source of the chronic pain. For example, if the pain occurs at various places on both sides of the body, it is probably due to an underlying disorder. Naturopathic medicine may also be able to identify pain resulting from increased levels of acid in tissues, due to stress or toxins. If the pain is confined to one location in the body, it is more likely due to an injury.

Diet and nutrition are central to naturopathic medicine and the treatment of chronic pain. In addition to diet and supplements, naturopathic medicine uses various reflex therapies that help relieve chronic pain through relaxation and comforting social interaction. Naturopathic medicine treats chronic pain, at least in part, by activating pleasurable chemicals in the brain or pathways in the body that can mask pain.

How Diet, Supplements, and Botanicals Relieve Chronic Pain

If inflammation is present, it may be contributing to chronic pain. A 2005 study by the University of Toronto suggested that inflammation increases levels of a protein that may send pain signals to the brain long after the source of the pain—such as an injury or illness—has disappeared. Thus, reducing inflammation is important in treating chronic pain.

Rather than use anti-inflammatory drugs which can put stress on the liver, Naturopaths prescribe herbal medicines and suggest dietary changes to achieve the same result: reduced inflammation.

Diet Changes for Inflammation:
The following dietary measures have been shown to reduce inflammation:

• Increasing intake of vegetables and whole grains
• Eat fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, and salmon
• Increasing intake of high-fiber foods and non-allergenic complex carbohydrates
• Limiting food high in saturated fats such as red meat, dairy products, warm-water shellfish, and partially hydrogenated oils
• Increasing omega-3 and reducing omega-6 fatty acids
• Increasing calcium and magnesium intake
• Eliminating sugar, caffeine, and alcohol

Food allergies can also cause inflammation that leads to chronic pain. Naturopathic medicine identifies allergens and eliminates them from the diet.

Supplements for Inflammation:
Naturopathic medicine also utilizes nutritional supplements to treat chronic pain such as:

• Vitamins C and E. Vitamin E is anti-inflammatory.
• Magnesium glycinate. Magnesium helps keep bones strong and muscles relaxed.
• D,L-Phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is an amino acid with antidepressant qualities.
• Glucosamine for arthritis pain. Glucosamine can help joint pain because it heals cartilage.

Botanicals for Inflammation:
Naturopathic medicine uses herbal therapies, traditional Chinese medicine, and homeopathy to treat chronic pain. Botanicals used to treat inflammation that accompanies chronic pain include:

• Evening-primrose oil
• Bromelian, an enzyme from pineapple
• Curcumin from tumeric
• Passion flower
• Topical applications of capsicum, the active ingredient in hot peppers

Which Naturopathic Therapies are Used for Relieving Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain can be caused by scar tissue, impaired mobility, and reduced blood flow. Therefore, naturopathic medicine commonly treats chronic pain using soft-tissue and bone manipulations and muscle stretching and manipulation, similar to the techniques used by physical therapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths. Stretching and manipulation restore movement, mobility, and function to injured areas and improves blood circulation. Naturopathic medicine for chronic pain sometimes includes visceral manipulation. This involves gently manipulating the painful organ and surrounding connective tissue.

In addition to providing relaxation and comfort, reflex therapies may affect the perception of pain by the central nervous system. Acupuncture appears to be particularly effective for relieving pain associated with neuropathies—degenerative conditions of the nerves or central nervous system—and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Other reflex therapies utilized by naturopathic medicine in the treatment of chronic pain include:

• Biofeedback uses machines that gauge physical indicators of stress and teach patients to control and relax their bodies.
• Massage involves applying pressure to and manipulating muscles to release tension in the body.
• Mild electrical stimulation of the skin can help relax the skin, which many overlook as a source of tension.
• Applications of hot and cold can also soothe muscles.
• Hydrotherapy has many calming, stress relieving effects.
• Peat baths are therapeutic—peat causes a gradient rise/fall in temperature. Peat pulp added to a bath will be absorbed by the skin and, in addition to stimulating circulation, performs an antiviral, anti-inflammatory role.
• Magnetic field therapy is used in different ways to treat pain in various locations on the body.
• Hypnotherapy can help someone with chronic pain refocus their mind on something other than pain.
• Guided imagery or visualization can also help reduce pain through imagining a pain-free scenario.
• Relaxation training will help a person let go of those tensions that exacerbate chronic pain.

Naturopathic medicine for chronic pain may also include maintaining hydration, gentle stretching, exercise, instruction in proper breathing and lifestyle counseling.

What Causes Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain can stem from many sources including:

• Injury
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Cancer
• Multiple sclerosis
• Headache
• Lower back pain
• Facial or pelvic pain
• Unidentified causes

According to naturopathic medicine, fibromyalgia, a common type of chronic pain, can result from chronic immune reactions to infection or allergies, poor nutrition, lack of rest, and/or congestion of the detoxification systems of the liver, kidneys, and/or lymphatic system.

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a holistic system that emphasizes prevention and nature’s powers of healing. It draws on conventional and alternative medical practices from around the world. Naturopathic medicine is taught at four-year graduate-level schools, which offer basic science and naturopathic medicine curricula and clinical experience. Regulation of naturopathic medicine varies by state. In some states and throughout Canada naturopathic physicians are licensed following board examinations. Many naturopathic doctors (NDs) are primary-care physicians. Others specialize in particular medical conditions or types of treatment. Some NDs and clinics specialize in the treatment of chronic pain.

Many naturopathic doctors (NDs) work cooperatively with conventional health care providers, particularly when prescription medication or hospitalization is involved. Naturopathic medicine for chronic pain may aim to gradually reduce the administration of prescription or over-the-counter pain medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Naturopathic medicine can also help manage side effects of prescription pain medication.

Additional Resources

“Using Complementary Therapy to Relieve Pain” from the National Pain Foundation.

“Naturopathic Medicine for Pain Relief” from Bastyr University.