Like all symptoms, treating why you have pain is the most effective strategy. One way is to assess it’s quality:
| PAIN QUALITY | ASSOCIATIVE FACTOR |
| ACHY | Viral Infection – You are sick, such as from a viral illness (the flu, common cold) – when your immune system fights an infection, it releases cytokines and prostaglandins which sensitizes pain receptors (nociceptor: tissue damage). Over-the-counter treatments like NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin) and acetaminophen reduce inflammation and prostaglandin production, reducing the achy pain, but it also interferes with your body’s innate healing activity. Instead, I suggest using the appropriate treatment in my Getting Sick Protocol. |
| STIFFNESS | Infection or Toxin Overload – Neurotoxins directly interfere with nerve function, either by damaging the nerve’s structure, or by disrupting its electrical/chemical signaling. Gut Imbalance – Leaky gut can cause bacterial components to leak into the blood stream, triggering the increase in circulating inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha, CRP) that are also involved in joint and muscle inflammation. There are also specific bacterial overgrowth associated with joint diseases, such as klebsiella and rheumatoid arthritis. Lastly, when the gut is imbalanced, nutrients are not as absorbable, which leads to deficiencies that can contribute to muscle and joint imbalances. |
| SQUEEZING CRAMPING | Magnesium Deficiency – Magnesium relaxes muscles, therefore, magnesium deficiency can cause muscle to contract. Hypoxia – When tissues don’t get enough oxygen, they can involuntarily cramp. Another mechanism is how the deep, small-diameter nerve fibers (C-fibers) transmit diffuse, poorly-localized signals. |
| SHOOTING ELECTRICAL SHOCKS STINGING PRICKLING TINGLING BURNING NUMBNESS | Nerve Compression – the tissue around the nerve is stagnant and needs to be released. The best way to free the nerve is from a hands-on tools such as heat, massage, stretching, acupuncture, cupping, hydrodissection. Neurotoxin – Neuropathic pain can be caused by a sodium channel toxin that affects the function of the nerve membrane. Another mechanism is axonial damage from the toxin which can cause peripheral neuropathy. Circulatory – When nerves are deprived on their blood supply, they cannot conduct properly, resulting in a block, which the brain interprets as numbness. |
| THROBBING | Circulatory – This rhythmic, pulsing quality to blood flow that mechanically stimulates nociceptors in or around blood vessel walls in sync with the heartbeat. |
| SHAKING TREMBLING | Neurotoxin – This type of pain presents when a neurotoxin interferes with the motor function at the neuromuscular junction. |
One treatment strategy that positively affects all pain qualities is to move your body’s Qi and Blood.
This can be done passively, and/or actively, externally and/or internally:
Whether you stretch, get a massage, acupuncture, structural adjustment, cupping, guasha, or electrical stimulation, you can move energy through the compromised area, which will help reduce the pain.
There are many supplements and herbs that move your Qi and Blood physiologically. When your Qi and Blood are invigorated, stagnant energy is moved, helping to heal the stagnant area.
An herbal formula that is readily accessible of Fullscript is Mobility 2. It’s mechanism of action is to Dispel Damp Cold and Warm and Vitalize the Blood. This is a great treatment strategy when the pain is chronic since warming is a key feature.
Note that this formula should not be used in acute injury where heat is a mechanism, nor should you take a formula that moves Qi and Blood when on a blood thinner.
Another approach to treating pain is based on whether or not the pain is acute or chronic.
The why is clear when you experience an acute injury – pain is your body’s way of keeping you from doing anything that would increase the damage to your injured area.
When pain is chronic, part of your pain is due to your Mind and Body learning your pain pattern. Therefore, part of your treatment is to unlearn this pattern. A very effective tool is Pain Reprocessing Therapy.
Step into Action
| Safe treatment for pain | Reduce Pain Protocol |
| Begin improving your health | Walk down the Wholistic Health Path |
| Get support | Join a Wholistic Health Group |
| Obtain a personalized treatment plan or schedule a Health Coaching session to receive support with Pain Reprocessing | Schedule a Personalized Consultation |