Patients with Fibromyalgia and Arthritis are often concerned about taking over the counter anti-inflammatories for pain and inflammation.  If they aren’t concerned, they should be, because extended use of these non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, even the new Viox and Viobin, lead to stomach ulcers, indigestion and liver disorders.  The FDA recently pulled its approval of marketing statements from manufacturers of the “new breed” of anti-inflammatories like Celebrex due to patient and doctor complaints.  It seems that the drugs did, in fact, cause stomach ulcers and bowel inflammation. 

So what can be done about inflammation in a way that doesn’t just cover up symptoms?  The goal of treatment should be to actually reduce inflammation and rebuild the cartilage and other soft tissue to permanently fix the problem.  By rebuilding the tissue, you take the pressure off the nerves that cause the pain.  If this method did not cause irritation of the digestive system or had no other side-effects, the solution would be obvious. 

Well, as it turns out, scores of double blind, cross-over placebo controlled studies have been done on glucosamine sulfite for solving both the inflammatory and the tissue rebuilding problems.  If the patient takes enough for a loading dose and a maintenance program, and long enough, relief will occur.   Really severe arthritis may require non-irritating herbal anti-inflammatories like curcumin, boswelya and bromelain.  If the patient is essential fatty acid deficient they will require omega 3 fatty acids, which the body will turn into anti-inflammatory prostaglandins to fight the inflammation.  If the patient cannot build cartilage or other soft tissue from glucosamine alone, they may require sulfur donor methyl-sulfonyl-methane. 

The good news is simply that pain and inflammation really can be helped by natural means.  A person does not have to sacrifice their stomach or intestine to expensive and side-effectual NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Naprosen, Viox, Viobin or Celebrex.

To make an appointment call the Natural Healing Clinic at (360) 457-1515.