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Natural Pain Relief for Arthritis

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No one likes to be inflamed and in pain, so today I’d like to share some natural therapies for arthritis pain.

There are 2 types of arthritis:

1. Osteoarthritis – caused by the wear-and-tear damage to the cartilage of your bones. Cartilage plays a role in preventing friction during joint movement, so once it is damaged, bone grinding on bone occurs and causes pain on the joint.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis – an autoimmune type, in which the immune system attacks the joint capsule, the membrane enclosing all parts of the joint. This causes inflammation, characterized by pain and swelling.

While there are many medications available for arthritis, you have a choice to opt for natural alternatives. In fact, according to the Arthritis Foundation, there are 8 natural therapies for arthritis pain. I’ll summarize most of them below. Plus, I’ve got a surprise addition to this list!

First, to reduce pressure on your joints, release excess body fat. Just losing one pound relieves your swollen joints from four pounds of pressure. You can achieve this by combining a healthy diet with ample amounts of exercise and physical activity (and yes, if you have arthritis, you will likely need to modify the types of activity you do: yoga, tai chi, qi gong, swimming, and weight training are some great options).

Second, movement should be part of your daily routine.  Performing a low-impact exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. As I mentioned above, both yoga and tai chi are great options. Yoga originated from India while tai chi from China, but both relieve joint pain and stiffness (and are great for reducing stress levels!).

Third, soothe yourself with techniques such as acupuncture, massage, or physical therapy. Acupuncture uses tiny needles inserted through the skin on different acupoints in the body so that your natural painkillers are activated and your nerves, muscles, and connective tissues are stimulated. Massage uses gentle manipulation of the body while applying some sort of pressure. Physical therapy also provides ways to lessen the pressure on swollen joints, to reduce stiffness, and improve movement patterns and mobility.

Fourth, electrical stimulation, also known as TENS (transcutaneous electrical stimulation) can be helpful. To relieve pain, a bit of electrical stimulation is used by applying small electrodes on the affected area. The electromagnetic current from the device is applied to the skin through the electrodes.

Fifth, is the topical CBD cream, such as the Lassen Labs Nano CBD Relief Cream. I’ve gotten great feedback on this product from clients and family members so I definitely recommend checking it out.

As I discussed in a previous newsletter, you have cannabinoid receptors in every part of the body and they help regulate pain and inflammation (amongst other things).

For more info about CBD use for arthritis, read here.

Lastly, the health of your gut makes a big difference! To have strong, healthy joints and a balanced inflammatory response, you need to be properly digesting and absorbing your food and keeping your immune response in check–this all happens in your gut! You’ve heard me say many times that your gut is at the root of all your health. Diet and lifestyle make a HUGE impact on gut health. Eating high quality protein and produce, hydrating, getting at least 7 hrs of sleep per night, exercising and moving your body regularly, spending time in nature, managing stress…these are powerful healthy habits that build the foundation for a healthy gut.

It is my passion to work with people like you whose health symptoms are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I can help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully.

If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you! Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. http://bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!

~Rebecca

4 Ways to Relieve Acid Reflux without Using Medication

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Hi there!

Last week we talked about GERD and an alternative way to manage it. In case you missed it, you can check it out here.

Heartburn can occur after having a large meal, binge drinking, or eating greasy food. That burning sensation you feel around your chest happens because of the rising up of the acidic stomach content to your esophagus.

While occasional heartburn and acid reflux is common, its frequent occurrence is not. This might be a symptom of GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is a chronic disease due to the malfunctioning of the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach. Simply put, when it’s chronic, it’s because the cells are no longer working properly and they need help restoring proper function!

To ease occasional acid reflux, you can try doing the following alternative ways without using medications (always check with your doctor first):

1. Eat smaller meals and go easy on the carbohydrates

Poorly digested food, especially carbohydrates which are quick to ferment, cause bacterial overgrowth in the stomach and upper part of your small intestine and increase the pressure inside (gas), forcing the stomach content to go up the esophagus.

So you can limit your symptoms by not overeating, taking your time when you do eat, chew really thoroughly, and focus on eating healthy, unprocessed foods such as meat, fish, eggs, non-starchy vegetables, nuts and seeds, and fats and oils.

2. Limit beverages including alcohol, coffee, citrus juice, and carbonated drinks

These beverages worsen acid reflux symptoms because they change the stomach pH more readily, weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, increase belching, or irritate the lining of the esophagus.

3. Chew gum that contains bicarbonate

Chewing gum increases saliva production and the bicarbonate content helps to clear the acid from the esophagus.

4. Try CBD Oil

CBD oil can actually treat many health issues as I discussed in previous newsletters. Due to the presence of cannabinoid receptors in all parts of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract, CBD oil is an effective alternative to manage many illnesses including acid reflux.

CBD oil is effective for acid reflux because when it interacts with the endocannabinoid system, it results in the following:It lessens the secretion of gastric acid (so best not to do this at mealtimes unless you have confirmed with your doctor that you have an excess of stomach acid).It reduces inflammatory responses, so it mitigates the inflammation and damage along the esophagus.It decreases the sensation of pain.It soothes and calms down peristalsis.
I hope you find these methods and relieve occasional acid reflux symptoms. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me and let me know what you find helpful!

For more chronic situations of GERD, you need to get to the root cause or it can become quite serious. What you eat and how you eat it matters–choose nutritious, unprocessed foods whenever possible and sit down and chew your food rather than rushing and eating on the go. Look into diagnostic testing such as getting an endoscopy (inside look at your stomach and esophagus; or reach out to a functional practitioner such as myself for a full look at the functioning of your gut, inside peek at gut bacteria imbalance, opportunistic infections, and more. I’m not a doctor and I’m not pretending to be! I don’t diagnose my clients, but rather I help them to identify where function has been lost and then guide them with diet and lifestyle practices so that their body can restore proper function.

It is my passion to work with people like you whose health symptoms are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I can help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully.

If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!
Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. http://bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!

~Rebecca

How CBD Can Help Your Gut

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How CBD Can Help Your Gut

You’ve probably heard about something called cannabinoids before, usually in reference to cannabis or marijuana. But did you know that your body produces its own cannabinoids?
 
It’s true! Your body has what’s called an endocannabinoid system–a complex system of naturally produced cannabinoids in the body. These endocannabinoids, as they are called, stimulate the cannabinoid receptors found in the different parts of the body.
 
The endocannabinoid system is involved in a lot of your body processes such as appetite, digestion, mood, the sensation of pain, inflammation, and even your memory.


 
When you take a cannabinoid such as the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC or cannabidiol (CBD), they fit into your cannabinoid receptors and affect the level of your neurotransmitters which ultimately affects how your brain cells communicate with each other. But as I mentioned, your own body makes cannabinoids–endo, means made within, hence the name endocannabinoid. Your brain makes these cannabinoids and they circulate throughout your body and attach to receptors to help your body in some way. Let’s explore how.

CBD and Digestion

Can CBD (derived from the hemp plant) help with digestion? Yes. Many researchers believe that the ECS (endocannabinoid system) is the link in the brain-gut axis. It allows communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and the enteric nervous system (ENS).  The CNS is your brain and spinal cord while your ENS runs from your esophagus to your rectum. Both of them speak the same language, using the same receptors, neurons, and neurotransmitters.
 
Moreover, cannabinoid receptors are found in the entire GI tract. These systems work together closely.
 
In summary, the ECS affects your gut in three major ways:

  • Modulate inflammation–The cannabinoid receptors, when stimulated by certain cannabinoids, help in protecting the gut from inflammation.
  • Regulates digestive action–Proper gut motility ensures all food is digested and nutrients are well absorbed. Cannabinoids found in plants can stimulate the cannabinoid receptors so that nausea and vomiting are prevented. This calms the stomach and even decreases excess stomach acid. Much of the research shows that the endocannabinoid system regulates nausea and vomiting in humans and other animals.
  • Regulates communication to your brain–As I mentioned earlier, the ECS links the brain and gut. When you are stressed or in pain, this alters your digestive function. When you have GI problems, this is communicated back to the brain.

4 Ways to Support your ECS

To support your ECS for gut health, take these tips into consideration:

  1. Manage your stress. Although it’s the ECS that helps regulate your stress response, chronic stress will deplete the ability of your ECS to do so. So take it easy. Make sure you have time to relax, rest, and recuperate. HeartMath, meditation, tai chi, yoga, and breathing exercises are all great ways to support your ECS.
  2. Limit alcohol consumption. Heavy drinking of alcohol definitely impairs the ability of your cannabinoid receptors to process cannabinoids.
  3. Eat dietary cannabinoids. These are found in cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage. Fatty fish, nuts, and seeds also contain fatty acids–like Omega 3 fatty acids–that are building blocks for endocannabinoids. Herbs and spices such as rosemary, black pepper, clove, and basil, are good sources, too!
  4. Take a CBD supplement. CBD is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. CBD oil is natural and non-harmful. Thus you can use it for the long-term. You can check out the many health benefits of CBD oil by following this link.

It is my passion to work with people like you whose health symptoms are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I can help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully.
 
If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. http://bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!
~Rebecca