Rid the Pain With Bromelain

Dealing with aches and pains is inconvenient, and no less uncomfortable. Maybe you threw your back out doing yard work yesterday, or aggravated your knee during your last run? Maybe you landed on your ankle during that wild game of backyard volleyball?  Bromelain is a supplement that may help ease the pain.

Bromelain, an enzyme extracted from the stem and fruit of pineapple, has been used for hundreds of years to reduce swelling and inflammation within the body.

I often turn a patient on to Bromelain when they are dealing with a minor injury such as a sprain or strain.  When Bromelain enters the blood stream, it works in the same way other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen to reduce swelling and inflammation. 

Bromelain has also been known to help:

Swelling in the nose or sinuses as a result from surgery or hay fever

Joint pain caused by arthritis

Loss of motor function caused by symptoms related to carpel tunnel

To benefit from Bromelain, it is best taken in concentrated capsule form, since much of the enzyme is found in the stem of the pineapple.  You can find the supplement at your natural food store, such as Whole Foods, in various brands and milligrams.  Talk to your natural health expert about dosage and how to incorporate Bromelain into your diet.  (Do not take, of course, if you are allergic to pineapple.)

Of course, the best part, is that this remedy is natural.  I'm all for natural.  You, too?

Best in health, naturally,

Dr. Marc

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Migraine Headaches...uggghhh!

Today, I met with a mother and her 14 year old daughter. They were referred in by a massage therapist patient of mine. They both suffer from migraines. The mom took notes as I shared two vitamins that can make a big difference (read on...).

When people have migraines I really feel for them, especially if they have been going on for a while. Imagine all that vice-like pain...the minutes that tick by so slooooowwwlllllyyy, not to mention the loss of productivity and the toll it takes on relationships. I wonder how many divorces are related to migraines, how many children that don't have both parents under the same roof?! The loss of a great job because of having to "go home again because I've got a headache"...

What is a migraine?
Several characteristics make a migraine different from other headaches:

• Usually affecting the front of ONE side of the head
• Intense, throbbing pain that can last as long as 72 hours
• Nausea and vomiting frequently present
• May have light and/or sound sensitivity
• Some may have an "aura"--an abnormality in perception such as seeing blobs of light, auditory hallucinations or strange smells
• They usually begin before age 40
• Women affected usually more than men
• Food triggers include cured meats (think hot dogs or some sandwich meat), wine, chocolate, MSG, etc.
• Heightened neurological activity may trigger a headache such as lots of reading and/or computer work, TV, gaming, etc.

I once got a bad headache after making lots of copies when I worked as a research assistant at WSCC--the quick, blinking greenish lights of the copy machine combined with the smell of the toner...still makes me sick just thinking about it.

Did you know also that some migraines actually don't hurt? Some people have silent migraines and only experience the "aura".

Better than Meds
Studies reveal that chiropractic adjustments offer relief for migraine sufferers. One trial divided up participants into three treatment groups for eight weeks: amitriptyline (a medication commonly given for migraine), chiropractic adjustments, and a combination of the two.

Four weeks after treatment concluded those who received just adjustments reported a 42% reduction in pain compared to 24% and 25% for medication and combination therapy, respectively. The chiropractic only group did not have to worry about dangerous side effects either! (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1998;21:511-9.)

Other Remedies
Consider riboflavin, coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid for reducing migraines as well as the herbs butterbur and feverfew (Neurol Sci 2010;31:S137-9).

Spread the word and don't suffer needlessly!

Best in health, naturally,
Dr. Marc

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About

MEET THE DOCTOR

Dr. Marc Davis has lived in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest for about 20 years. He and his wife Jeannie have 4 kids. He also lived in Belgium for 2 years where he learned Dutch and has a love for everything European. Dr. Marc earned his Bachelors of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, UT. He earned his Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree from WSCC in Portland, OR. He loves serving as a chiropractor because people often have immediate results. When not adjusting patients, Dr. Marc can be found out on a local hiking trail with his family (waterfalls are a must), reading a good book in his yard or watching the Travel channel.

Since 1999 Dr. Marc has been helping patients from the age of 2 hours old to 96 years young stand tall naturally without drugs or surgery. Davis Family Chiropractic is a thriving, wellness-oriented office located in a beautiful neighborhood with lots of trees in the East side of Vancouver, Washington. Dr. Davis is an in-demand Wellness Expert who speaks on topics such as Stress Reduction, Nutrition, 4 Secrets to Living Headache Free, Championing Fibromyalgia and many other health-empowering topics. Call his office to find out how you can reserve him for a FREE class at your company, club or church group. Call (360) 823-2225.

CONTRIBUTORS

Cassie McCully is a Washington State University Alumn (2006), who received her BA in English.  When she isn’t entertaining her two small children, you can find her at the gym, working in her yard and garden, baking pretty little treats in her kitchen, crafting in her studio, or authoring her lifestyle blog, A Serenade for Solitude.   She is a freelance writer and occasionally writes for KATU’s Camas/Vancouver Community site.

Cassie is excited to be part of Life, Naturally, and looks forward to sharing what’s happening in the community--i.e. where you can purchase the best blueberries by the bucket, weekend events and easy recipes that will satisfy your cravings.  

You can reach Cassie by email at cbmccully@hotmail.com

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