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March 04, 2014

Some patients just don’t want to take NSAIDs anymore…or ever…but they do want something to control their pain due to inflammation. Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers excitedly shares a natural approach using curcumin and turmeric.

Often taken for pain relief for conditions like osteoarthritis (1), NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may affect takers in different ways. Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers hear from many patients who struggle with pain meds, their effectiveness or lack thereof, and adverse side-effects. A couple of new studies about curcumin or turmeric (aka ginger) will excite our Baton Rouge pain patients as these natural substances may be an answer.

One report shares that patients reach a new pain threshold marker called PASS (Patient Acceptable Symptom State) with curcumin. With PASS, patients reported satisfaction that their pain was sufficiently relieved. It wasn’t totally gone, but it was now tolerable with curcumin. And as a bonus, they didn’t report the side-effects that often accompanied their taking NSAIDs. (3)

Curcumin is said to improve chronic constriction caused by neuropathic pain. The researchers explain the more complex gene expression and activation in the spinal cord and its dorsal root ganglia. Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers just wants our Baton Rouge patients to know that adding curcumin to the diet may be pain-relieving.

Curcumin and turmeric mayhave the anti-inflammatory and other natural pain relieving effects Baton Rouge osteoarthritis, rhematoid arthritis and back pain patients are looking for!

So what is curcumin? Curcumin is a diarylheptanoid, big word not used everyday in Baton Rouge. It is the principal curcuminoid of the popular South Asian spice turmeric, a member of the ginger family. Turmeric, as a spice, is a common ingredient in Indian cooking. The spice (and supplement) comes from the underground stems (called rhizomes) of the turmeric plant. (2) Know any good Indian recipes? Try one out for dinner tonight like Eating Well’s Apple Latkes! (4)

 

The curcuminoids are natural phenols, giving turmeric its yellow color. It’s best known as a spice and a main component in curry powder. In India and other parts of Asia, turmeric is used to treat many health conditions. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and perhaps even anti-cancer properties. It may help to reduce inflammation and pain due to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, great news for our Baton Rouge back pain patients. (2)

Turmeric might also be medicinal. (2) Based on lab studies alone, it may

 

  • block the growth of certain kinds of tumors. One study showed that turmeric extract containing curcumin could -- in some cases -- stabilize colorectal cancer that wasn't helped by other treatments. But more research is certainly needed.
  • protect against types of skin diseases, Alzheimer's disease, colitis, stomach ulcers, and high cholesterol.
  • help treat upset stomach, scabies, diabetes, HIV, uveitis, and viral infections.

 

So how much turmeric should you take? There is no standard dosage yet. Ask about what's right for you at your next chiropractic visit to Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers. Is it safe? It is generally, but talk with your Baton Rouge chiropractor about your specific situation before adding it to your daily dietary regimen.

Contact Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers today to discuss your dietary approach to reducing inflammation.

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