Millions of people suffer daily with joint pain. This is nothing new. But the fact that many think that when nonsteroidal antiinflammatories no longer provide relief, their only options left are to live with the pain, have damaging cortisone injections, or surgery is disconcerting.
As a naturopathic doctor, I believe in treatment that heals not only the whole body but also treatment using the most natural substances possible. But when you or your family member is in pain and suffering, the most important thing on your mind is to stop the pain.
My father has always been a strong and vibrant person. My entire life, he’s been a lively and active guy, so when he started having extreme shoulder pain that wasn’t responding to traditional treatment methods, I wanted to take action.
In my training, I learned much about joint health. I understood certain things that some people had great success with using, such as chiropractic work, acupuncture, anti-inflammatory medications, and massage. My father tried all of these things, including swimming regularly to keep the joint mobile, and when that didn’t work, he would rest it for long periods of time. None of these things were working. In fact, he was rapidly declining.
I’d been working with regenerative injections, using all-natural substances to promote healing, function, and mobility in joints. Other patients of mine were seeing great results, so I thought it would help my father, and with his approval, we started this process.
What I did with my dad is called Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP treatments. PRP uses your own blood to gather concentrated platelets that are reservoirs of rejuvenation. It contains growth factors which are supercharged for healing and regeneration of the joint’s cartilage and collagen.
Because an MRI showed my father had tears in his shoulder, he was a prime candidate for surgery. Not wanting to go that route, and opting to try the PRP first, he was anxious to see results. I am happy to say, that was three years ago, and he is back to doing his daily swims, out of pain, and he NEVER had the surgery.
Joint pain is not just about treating the joint, though. Understand, if you are looking for a quick fix, then I’m not your girl. As a naturopathic doctor, I will tell you that your whole body health is key to sustaining a long and active life. Here are three things to get you on track for healing your joint issues.
- DIET AND EXERCISE
Yes, I know you’ve heard this before, but it’s true. What we eat and how we move affects our joints. Whether you are trying to STAY healthy or are trying to HEAL from an injury, diet and exercise play a key role in getting the desired results. In a future post, I will go over in detail about collagen-rich foods that can promote healthy joints that include Vitamin C (citrus, peppers, Brussel sprouts), Zinc (pumpkin seeds), Copper, (spirulina), and Protein. If you sign up for my email alerts, you can get an extensive list of collagen-rich foods. However, DON’T assume you can buy those as supplements and get away with not eating healthy. Food IS medicine. Having said that, I do use supplements, because…
2. SUPPLEMENTS
It seems everyone is on the bandwagon these days to take supplements. I am here to say that taking the right supplements, and in the proper amounts, can be very helpful and often really effective for healing and overall health. One caviat…you should never self medicate. Always discuss with your doctor what supplements to take, and always include these in your medication lists that you provide to other practitioners. Herbs and vitamins are medicine, and you should never assume to know what or how much of these is okay to take without a qualified practitioner’s guidance.
3. NON-INVASIVE PROCEDURES
I can offer a few different options to help treat your joint pain, and PRP is one I shared with you that helped my dad. In future posts, I will go into more detail about how this is done and also tell you about Prolotherapy, another service I can provide.
The fact that you are still reading this post means you are READY for a change. You are ready to get well and yearn for an alternative to surgery and traditional treatments. So sign up for my email list, and receive my free Guide To Turn Back Time, sign up for email alerts, and call my office to get more information or schedule an appointment. I am excited to get started working with you on your wellness journey.
YOUR TOMORROW STARTS TODAY!
Dr. Madison Fandel