The Use of Marijuana for Pain

The use of cannabis in Chinese medicine dates back over 1800 years, which is quite fascinating. Rather than solely focusing on whether cannabis “cures” certain conditions, a better approach may be to consider whether it can assist with healing. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 20 percent of the population suffers from anxiety and stress disorders, resulting in a chronic sympathetic reaction and fight or flight response. This, in turn, can cause deficiencies in rest and digestion and an underactive hypothalamus, leading to a deficiency of vital hormones.

The sympathetic reaction is the body trying to respond like a gazelle in a lion’s presence. Chronic sympathetic overuse leads to a host of other issues, such as high blood pressure, eye strain, slowed digestion, and sleep deprivation. This is where cannabis comes in – a psychoactive drug that has been used for medicinal purposes in China for thousands of years. The seeds of the cannabis plant, known as huo ma ren, are still used in Chinese medicine today.

However, there are concerns surrounding the extraction of the active ingredients from cannabis, and how they are ratioed and governed. Many believe that the whole plant should be used in medical applications, just as sea salt and cane sugar should be valued for their micronutrients. A natural psychoactive drug used responsibly could be of great value in providing relief for the overacting sympathetic nervous system.

When used during meditation, the whole cannabis plant could be particularly healing for those experiencing pain. Meditation provides the body with more oxygen and blood flow, which can help alleviate pain. Cannabis could take a person deeper into meditation for better sleep, digestion, and healing overall.


Why LDL’s Are Not The Bad Guy!

Understanding the root problem with cholesterol.

LDL cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is a fat that circulates in the blood, moving cholesterol around the body to where it is needed for cell repair and depositing it inside of artery walls.

The LDL receptor is found in the liver and most other tissues.The liver releases cholesterol to  cell membranes, many hormones, and helps with utilization of vitamin D. 

Low density lipids are an important part of the body healing. 

When we get on statins,it stops the production of cholesterol. 

Statins are over a 19 billion dollar a year industry.  

Cholesterol is vital to “maintain the integrity and fluidity of cell membranes” and also in working with hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D. I find a huge correlation between those on statins and vitamin D deficiency, when living in Florida and sunlight should have plenty of vitamin D! 

Find the reason your blood is irritated, and solve that. Strengthen your liver and watch the LDL’s go down.

Side effects of statins include headache, dizziness, sickness, weakness, digestion problems,IBS, muscle pain, sleep and low platelets.

Remember that high LDL’s low density lipids means your body is irritated. Resolve that!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519561/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1079612/ 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6682969/


Understanding body temperature in Women’s Health

There is a reason you experience pain, clots, heavy or light periods. Many female athletes aim to be strong and work hard on eating the right foods. So many diets plans out there to follow- which one is right one for you?

Sometimes the raw vegetarian diet can cause the whole body to become cold. Remember the stomach likes to be about 110 degrees and acidic. When we add too many cold foods like fish and salads, we can bring down our temperature in the whole body. Adding warm quality foods like ginger, cinnamon, onion cayenne can warm up your body.

Pain can be a cold sign and that blood is not moving. When it comes to your period, if a heating pad feels better for the pain, it is because there is excess cold. This cold manifests all month long. If you bring a sweater into the theater or restaurant, your whole body is probably running cold. Remember in these situations that the whole body is cold and could be stressing other systems in your body including your digestion, cardiovascular and respiration.

If you are experiencing pain or clots during your periods, try warming your food and more soups and stews. Almost always stay away from adding ice in your drinks. Another way to keep you mid section warm is to not wear wet cold clothes from working out into an air conditioned restaurant. Add herbs like ginger, garlic, onion, cayenne, cinnamon to your diet. Warm spices even if in a smoothie, have warming properties.

Getting on birth control does not stop the systemic problem and can lead to serious hormonal weakness in the future.


Thank you for being there Mr. Thyroid!

Thyroid
The thyroid is in charge of metabolism, growth and development of the body. Hormones are important messengers in our body!
Many times in our life the thyroid can under or overact because of chemical troublemakers found in things like our skin care, foods, water, clothes, candles, detergents and plastics.

Why you should only take thyroid medication after trying everything else.

I think it is  irresponsible for doctor or anyone to tell patients that hyper or hypo thyroid is just autoimmune and nothing can be done. Once you get on a thyroid medication it is almost impossible to get off of. Hormones are your messengers of the body, do all you can to have them work naturally!

The body is amazing and strong, hormone problems usually are from chronic disruptors. These are well studied and well known hormone disruptors in many of our health care products.

Check packaging and look for known hormone distruptors like PCBs, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), dioxins], plastics [bisphenol A (BPA)], plasticizers (phthalates)

Go to the Environmental Working Group and learn more!

Before you get on thyroid medicine checklist-

  1. Are you deficient in iodine and the amino acid tyrosine.
  2. Chronic stress stimulates the sympathetic system and your hormones can under or over react.
  3. Check for disruptors in your food and environment.

The goal is to find out what is causing your thyroid problems and solve it.


questioning if you need vaccine(s) is OK!

It is very difficult to read articles calling parents irresponsible or that people reject science because they question vaccines. It excites me when a person asks me questions . I question, and that is how I learn. I would absolutely ask, why?

Medicine is not perfect, and malpractice.. wrongful death… accidental death… Johns Hopkins medical research team revealed in 2021 that medical errors are the third leading cause of mortality. Their eight-year study showed approximately 250,000 people die each year from medical mistakes

How many more people are overloaded with medications or unnecessary surgeries? You have 1 life and 1 body. You are a mentor and responsible for your children. So absolutely question.

Did you know that you can get a test to see if you naturally have the antibodies instead of getting a vaccine?

Vaccines are set up for the mass but not the individual. The parameters for vaccines and boosters are a guideline, and if you have active antibodies you most likely do not need a booster nor vaccine to protect you from that bacteria or virus. The reason I state this because if you have chronic inflammation, you may experience multisystem inflammatory syndrome and respiratory distress (MIS) after immunization if you are over introduced to a bacteria or virus. (Center Disease Control, 2021)

-and when anyone says “well it doesn’t hurt”….. does it? Doctors may not know the ramifications regarding long term studies and side effects regarding your personal body. Unless you ask the medical office to look at your blood work and any medical concerns you have, they will insist you to have a vaccine that no one is responsible for if you are harmed.

You have to be an advocate for yourself. Don’t just trust a doctor but ask questions. The FDA allows carcinogens in our food and then the same companies make our medicines to block receptors that relay the problem. no healing. Call that what you want . Look how much drug companies make a year and ask yourself if they are in the business to help you individually…

Again, we live with more bacteria and virus than cells in our body. YOU CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT BACTERIA AND VIRUS. Instead of antibacterial , try probacterial like apple cider vinegar on your hands and coconut oil.

Do not be afraid of disease but build that relationship to take the mental and physical power of disease away..

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/7/21-0594_article


Before you go to the Doctor

When you prepare for your visit with the doctor, your prognosis in healing is bounds better.

If you tell your doctor you have a headache, and can’t describe when, where, how…. the physician will have to guess WHY. Headaches can be from a range of things from poor digestion to muscle strain. If you just tell them that you have a headache, they will offer tests and medication. It is so important to bring an investigation with you, otherwise can be months or never before the problem is solved.

What is your concern? How did it happen? When did it happen?

What have you tried and did it help? When is it worse or better? What is the pain intensity?

Remember that your blood pressure can go up and down in the day. If you have borderline high blood pressure, think about getting a blood pressure reader and take it 3 times a day. Journal your food intake and look out for triggers. If you just get on a blood pressure medication, it can cause a slew of side effects and you will not know the reason. Try to solve this problem as it can lead to so many other problems! And medications come with another group of side effects that you will not know if real symptoms to your underlying dilemma.

Journaling details about your sleep, food intake, activity and emotions. Describe just about everything!

My eBook, Before You Go To the Doctor, can help you put together a detailed account of your concerns when you talk with the physician. In the back of the book are 2 forms for you, Personal Health Check, and Daily Health Journal.

A doctor’s visit can seem rushed and stressful, by preparing ahead of time you will understand reasons for your problem, and get customized care based on your personal symptoms.


Fibromyalgia: an approach on resolving

Abstract

Fibromyalgia has a doom and gloom outlook that is not curable by western means. This is in part because pharmaceutical drugs can not give peace to the troubles of the mind, a purpose to live, or life beyond this earth. In this argument for the cure for fibromyalgia and not a drug to mask it, I will discuss western approaches with their success rates along with an integrated approach and the success rate outlook.  The body, mind and spirit are vital for healing fibromyalgia.  Because the pain is physical, yet in most cases stems from lifelong chronic stress and emotional pain, it is important to look at underlying causes.The 3 factor approach I will discuss in resolving fibromyalgia include  acupuncture, food therapy, and meditation.  Case studies show the effects of integrated medicine to alleviate fibromyalgia pain.  How much a person feels better relies heavily on the desire and compliance of the fibromyalgia patient.  Underlying basic signs of fibromyalgia can be unlayered and treated for complete healing. 

The Problem

A patient goes to their doctor with complaints of fatigue, no motivation and systemic pain.  Doctors perform blood work to rule out conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. These tests include Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, Rheumatoid factor, full blood count, ccp antibodies, and antinuclear antibody. Many tests come back normal and the patient gets the “good news that they are ok”.   So many side effects to an underactive hypothalamus and hormonal responses due to chronic sympathetic responses.  Low functioning hypothalamus can show signs of fatigue, weakness, headache, high or low blood pressure and body temperature changes. The hypothalamus links the nervous system to the endocrine system which keeps our body in rhythm ( Kong, 2021.) Under acting hypothalamus has symptoms similar to fibromyalgia.  And without a direction in healing for this patient, they feel it is all in their head, ashamed, and the cycle of pain and fatigue continues.  Patients could have a virus, lyme disease, joint pain, and sleep apnea, which could all show signs of fibromyalgia. Friends and family talk behind their backs that they are a hypochondriac or faking.    Medically no  pathology can be found to explain ongoing pain and disability. Welcome to the world of fibromyalgia.

A little Background and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia 

Once called fibrositis in the late 1800’s, this debilitating chronic problem now affects 1 in 20 people.  That is over 8 million people coming out with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. According to the Center for Disease and Control, symptoms of fibromyalgia include pain all over, fatigue, anxiety, lack of sleep, concentration, headaches, digestion disorders and numbness in the hands and feet.

Comparing Fibromyalgia and Anxiety

According to The Science of Fibromyalgia, (Claw, 2011) not including an underdiagnosis of patients up to 75%, still 2-5% of the population suffers from fibromyalgia.  Transversely,  the World Health Order states 5% of the population suffers from anxiety. Chronic anxiety are closely aligned with fibromyalgia with symptoms including pain, fatigue, not being able to fall asleep, not able to stay asleep, digestive issues and headaches. 

Western treatment for patients with Fibromyalgia

Western approach to fibromyalgia is classified in the rheumatoid arthritis category. Nerve studies are found to be inconclusive to pain. In the review, Chronic Opiod Use in Fibromyalgia Syndrome, conclusions are made in the case to limit or cease the amount of chronic opioid use. (Painter, 2013) Other treatments include pain blockers, steroids, sleep medication to anticonvulsants. Treatment for fibromyalgia uses medications that block receptors in healing and have side effects that can cause more pain and more symptoms.  Drugs administered are touted for patients to use forever as there is no cure.  

Eastern medicine philosophy and approach to Fibromyalgia

The rise of pain from unknown causes and autoimmune is exponentially growing. 

Chinese medicine looks at fibromyalgia as a deficiency in qi. Many individual factors can direct which qi and pathway is blocked or deficient. Case study with fibromyalgia show acupuncture had substantial benefits over other modalities. “ The number of tender points was significantly decreased after acupuncture treatment, compared to no treatment (p > 0.05)” (Cao, 2010)

Natural science based healers are breaking ground with case studies and research leaning to hypothalamus fatigue and hormonal fatigue. 

How the autonomic nervous system is overused with those suffering with Fibromyalgia

The autonomic nervous system works with a sympathetic parasympathetic relationship.  Sympathetic is fight or flight and parasympathetic is rest and digest.   The sympathetic nervous system was perfectly designed from the hypothalamus to send hormones like epinephrine into the bloodstream. Symptoms of chronic sympathetic nervous system working includes increased heart rate, fatigue, dilated muscles and slowing of digestion. With continuous stress, anxiety and depression, the activation of the sympathetic nervous system is nonstop. Many years of worrying and anxiety has exhausted the autonomic nervous system.   

Cases where fibromyalgia was resolved

In a case study, Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Case Report on Controlled Remission of Symptoms by a Dietary Strategy, a 34 year old woman experienced fatigue, irritable bowel, leg cramps forgetfulness, depression and chronic pain. Rheumatoid was ruled out by blood work.  The plan was to boost serotonin levels by upping the absorption of tryptophan. The female avoided fructose and sorbitol. Remission of most symptoms was reached in 2 months. (Lattanzio, 2018)

Ways fibromyalgia can be resolved with an integrated Approach 

When we look at fibromyalgia stemming from a chronic sympathetic nervous system reaction, we have to be careful how to relay that to a patient.  Even though many self describe themselves as a worrier, if told the painful condition comes from being a worrier, anxiety or stress in their life, they may get defensive.   If the patient goes to their families and friends with the reasons for their fibromyalgia, they may constantly remind them how they worry or stress.  Wording when treating fibromyalgia is important for the patient’s strength to successfully heal.  Possible verbiage for the patient could be hypothalmus deficiency, or adrenal fatigue.

To resolve fibromyalgia 3 things should be utilized: Food therapy, acupuncture and meditation. Treating a fibromyalgia patient with herbals and food therapy is an important way to get nutrients needed to nourish hormone levels, and to provide nutrients to lessen pain and for better sleep. To create a strong gut biome, food therapy includes fermented foods like sauerkraut, nutritional yeast, miso, kombucha, apple cider vinegar and kimchi. Gut biome and fibromyalgia pain levels were decreased using supplements of vitamin C, vitamin E, chlorella, and coenzyme Q10 due to oxidated stress. Levels of energy were increased. (Lowry, 2020) In Nanjing University Hospital, fibromyalgia is treated primarily with herbal medicine and only secondarily with acupuncture. (Mist, 2010)  According to Nanjing University Hospital practitioners, the primary formula is xiao yao san, the wanderer.  Single herbs include hypericum (Guan Ye Lian Qiao) for depression, American ginseng (Xi Yang Shen) for lethargy and valerian root (Xie Cao) for insomnia. (Mist, 2010)

Acupuncture is thousands of years strong for pain. Fibromyalgia in traditional Chinese medicine is called “Jin bi” which means “Bi syndrome.”  Fibromyalgia stems from a qi deficiency and stagnation of qi and blood.  A random control trial performed on 75 women with fibromyalgia with 2 acupuncture treatments a week for 4 weeks. This study showed a profound rise in serotonin that lasted after the 8 week recheck. ( Karatay, 2018) Acupuncture points should focus on the movement of qi and blood. Ren 4 and Ren 6 are together called dantian, where the deepest of energy is stored. Main qi deficiency points include gallbladder 21, bladder 13, spleen 6, lung 9, stomach 36, liver 3, large intestine 4,spleen 3, spleen 10 to move blood. Along with these points to consider, ashi points along the meridian should be addressed. The amazing thing about acupuncture is that it gets the body moving. Acupuncture makes a micro trauma that brings a reaction to the body in order to heal.

Meditation is the most undervalued form of healing in our world. Diminished as folklore and anecdotal, a study with the US Department of Veterans Affairs called Mindfulness Meditation Alleviates Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Women: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial (Behav, 2015) shows a significant decrease in sympathetic reaction when meditation was used 4 times a week for 45 minutes.  Physically, meditation is increasing lung capacity. When we are stressed or anxious, we take shallow breaths. Patients usually when questioned in stressful situations, take a big inhale, a clear indicator of compromised lung capacity. Chronic emotional struggles can lead to deficient lung capacity and improper use of the diaphragm.  Brain damage begins after 4 minutes with lack of oxygen.  An important read in understanding the physical effects of limited oxygen or hypoxia was an article Skeletal Muscle Fiber Type in Hypoxia: Adaptation to High-Altitude Exposure and Under Conditions of Pathological Hypoxia. (  )  At the “and under conditions of pathological hypoxia” is exactly what fibromyalgia is.  The relaxed deep breathing are bodies need to survive are limited to short bursts and sighs.  To restate sympathetic and parasympathetic it is rest (breathe) and digest, or fight and flight. Chronic emotionally strained patients are not focused on the most basic principle for life. Breathing. Meditation is just one easy way to provide basic life to our body.

Biography

Mary Devereaux is originally from Warwick Rhode Island and resides in Florida. Her undergraduate degree was focused on physics and wellness.  After years working in the health industry, she found traditional Chinese medicine met her needs as a practitioner.  Her focus on emotional pain leading to chronic pain brought her to specialize in fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Mary graduated from the Florida College of Integrated Medicine. She is licensed to practice in Florida and works in an integrated physicians group where practitioners can work together to provide the best care for patients.  She is board certified in acupuncture and herbology. She is a member of NCCAOM and FCOM. She is looking to hold a doctorate of acupuncture and oriental medicine in the summer of 2022 from the Pacific College of Health and Science. 

References

Ann Behav Med. 2015 June ; 49(3): 319–330. doi:10.1007/s12160-014-9665-0, US Vetereans Affair

Cao, H., Liu, J., & Lewith, G. T. (2010). Traditional Chinese Medicine for treatment of fibromyalgia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 16(4), 397–409. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0599

Chaillou, Thomas. “Skeletal Muscle Fiber Type in Hypoxia: Adaptation to High-Altitude Exposure and under Conditions of Pathological Hypoxia.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 1 Jan. 1AD, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.01450/full.

Clauw, D. J., Arnold, L. M., McCarberg, B. H., & FibroCollaborative (2011). The science of fibromyalgia. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 86(9), 907–911. https://doi.org/10.4065/mcp.2011.0206

Inanici, F., & Yunus, M. B. (2004). History of fibromyalgia: past to present. Current pain and headache reports, 8(5), 369–378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-996-0010-6

Häuser, W., & Fitzcharles, M. A. (2018). Facts and myths pertaining to fibromyalgia. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 20(1), 53–62. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2018.20.1/whauser

Karatay, S., Okur, S. C., Uzkeser, H., Yildirim, K., & Akcay, F. (2018). Effects of Acupuncture Treatment on Fibromyalgia Symptoms, Serotonin, and Substance P Levels: A Randomized Sham and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 19(3), 615–628. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnx263

Kong, J., Huang, Y., Liu, J. et al. Altered functional connectivity between hypothalamus and limbic system in fibromyalgia. Mol Brain 14, 17 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13041-020-00705-2

Kozasa, E. H., Tanaka, L. H., Monson, C., Little, S., Leao, F. C., & Peres, M. P. (2012). The effects of meditation-based interventions on the treatment of fibromyalgia. Current pain and headache reports, 16(5), 383–387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0285-8

Lowry, E., Marley, J., McVeigh, J. G., McSorley, E., Allsopp, P., & Kerr, D. (2020). Dietary Interventions in the Management of Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Best-Evidence Synthesis. Nutrients, 12(9), 2664. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092664

https://www.who.int/health-topics/depression#tab=tab_1

Mist, S., Wright, C., Jones, K. D., Carson, J. W., & Shih, J. (2010). Traditional Chinese Medicine for Fibromyalgia. Practical pain management, 10(7), http://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/pain/myofascial/fibromyalgia/traditional-chinese-medicine-fibromyalgia. 

Painter, J. T., & Crofford, L. J. (2013). Chronic opioid use in fibromyalgia syndrome: a clinical review. Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases, 19(2), 72–77. https://doi.org/10.1097/RHU.0b013e3182863447



Chronic Pain? Try Sleep!

If you have chronic pain including fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, read on to see a different focus and why a good night sleep can help you reduce pain.

3 proven ways to sleep better!

Food 

This is not a lecture on what to eat. We have cravings for a reason! Different hormones need different foods.  According to the Sleep Foundation, foods like kiwi, tart cherries, chamomile and rice can improve sleep.  Spicy foods like curry or peppers can warm your body temperature and keep you awake.  Herbs are powerhouses of nutrition, and if you want to use them as a supplement and for sleep, get the right herbs from a board certified herbalist. 

Meditation

Neurological research shows relaxing through meditation can provide an extra hour of restful sleep a night!  Scientific case studies show a dramatic rise in melatonin with people practicing meditation. Even 5 minutes a day can increase your sleep quality and lessen your pain.  Maybe you want to use a salt lamp or music to relax, but meditation is just breathing… but better. 

Acupuncture

3000 years and going strong, acupuncture increases natural melatonin which helps you sleep. Not many people like needles, but acupuncture is different, needles so thin that most people do not realize they are in, and feel incredibly relaxed. Randomized trials with almost 4000 patients experiencing insomnia had significant differences in sleep quality and duration of sleep from having acupuncture done. That is pretty awesome.

These are 3 great ways to get a better night’s sleep, and alleviate pain! 

Check out these case studies

The influence of sleep health    on dietary intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies. https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12813

Krause, A. J., Prather, A. A., Wager, T. D., Lindquist, M. A., & Walker, M. P. (2019). The Pain of

Sleep Loss: A Brain Characterization in Humans. The Journal of Neurosciencehttps://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.2408-18.2018

The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and     meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13996

References 

Bruehl, S., Chung, O. Y., Jirjis, J. N., & Biridepalli, S. (2005). Prevalence of clinical hypertension
    in patients with chronic pain compared to nonpain general medical patients. The Clinical
    journal of pain, 21(2), 147–153. https://doi.org/10.1097/00002508-200503000-00006

Cao, H., Pan, X., Li, H., & Liu, J. (2009). Acupuncture for treatment of insomnia: a systematic
    review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of alternative and complementary
    medicine (New York, N.Y.), 15(11), 1171–1186. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0041

Fenton, S., Burrows, T. L., Skinner, J. A., & Duncan, M. J. (2021). The influence of sleep health
    on dietary intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies. Journal
    of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association,
    34(2), 273–285. https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12813

Krause, A. J., Prather, A. A., Wager, T. D., Lindquist, M. A., & Walker, M. P. (2019). The Pain of
    Sleep Loss: A Brain Characterization in Humans. The Journal of Neuroscience, 39(12),
    2291–2300. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.2408-18.2018

Rusch, H. L., Rosario, M., Levison, L. M., Olivera, A., Livingston, W. S., Wu, T., & Gill, J. M.
    (2019). The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and
    meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Annals of the New York Academy of
    Sciences, 1445(1), 5–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13996