 |
|
|
|
Fibromyalgia Monthly Newsletter
Fibromyalgia Newsletter - June and July 2004
Did your fibromyalgia pain begin soon after an accident, surgery, or emotional event? Or did it begin gradually over a few years from stress in a job or relationship? This month we will be looking at using homeopathic remedies to reduce stress that is often held in our muscles and connective tissue that can cause hypersensitivity to pain.
What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a type of medical science that looks at specific symptoms of the fibromyalgia client, and matches the symptoms to a homeopathic remedy. The main principle of homeopathy is called the "Law of Similars." The "Law of Similars" is based on the principle of "like cures like". A small, diluted dose of a natural substance will stimulate the immune system to remove the mental and physical stress causing the symptoms and restore balance. If the substance was given in a large dose it would cause the same type of symptoms the person is currently experiencing. But used in a highly diluted dose, it can improve the same symptoms. One example of this is using a remedy called Apis for a sore throat or sunburn. The symptoms of a sore throat are burning, redness, swelling and stinging pain. The same symptoms occur with sunburn. Also the same symptoms occur with a bee sting. The remedy Apis is made from a honeybee and can be given to anyone displaying those similar symptoms.
Homeopathic remedies have been around since the early 1800's. Samuel Hahnemann, a European physician who was researching earlier medical texts and discovered how the "Law of Similars" works, developed the remedies over 100 years ago that are still used today. Homeopathy has always been very popular in Europe and is gaining renewed popularity in the United States.
Common Homeopathic Remedies for Fibromyalgia
Classical homeopathic remedies come in small tubes containing tiny pellets. Three pellets are the recommended dosage, taken one to three times per day depending on the potency. I commonly recommend higher potencies, around 30C, so that you do not have to take them too often. Homeopathic remedies are not used over a long period of time. Very often after using just a few doses of the remedy several of the pain and fatigue symptoms are relieved.
To find the remedy that best fits your specific symptoms, it is good to read through each of the remedies listed below, or in the homeopathic section of the website, and pick out the one remedy that is consistent your symptoms. These remedies are available on my website, but be sure to try to match your symptoms to those listed to pick out the best remedy for you and your symptoms.
Arnica is the most common remedy used for muscle trauma and overexertion pain found in fibromyalgia. Arnica works by improving circulation and reducing both emotional and physical trauma in the muscles. It is especially useful when an accident or other traumatic event may have caused the onset of fibromyalgia. This remedy is used when the body feels bruised all over, and the muscles ache constantly.
Rhus toxicodendron is another common homeopathic remedy for fibromyalgia, and is used for stiffness that gets better once you begin moving and when weather has an effect on the degree of pain. Rhus toxicodendron is often used to relieve pain in the joints, and works well on healing ligament strains. The Rhus toxicodendron client feels very restless and wants the stiffness and reaction to cold damp weather to improve quickly. Higher potencies of Rhus tox are especially useful for poison ivy symptoms.
Bryonia is the homeopathic remedy that has symptoms opposite the Rhus toxicodendron remedy. Here, you would feel best when you are not moving, since even the slightest motion makes the pain worse. These people tend to be very irritable and grumpy, not wanting to be touched, even though pressure on the point of pain often helps. Bryonia is indicated when there is hardness of muscle groups and headaches are common. Another indication for this remedy is when warmth makes the pain worse and cool applications feel better.
These 3 remedies and other remedies used for fibromyalgia are further explained on my website at www.NaturalChoicesforFibromyalgia You can go there to order the remedy that fits your symptoms. You should take the remedy regularly for a couple weeks to see its effect on your system. If you choose the incorrect remedy it will not do any harm, yet it will not help either. If you have questions on which remedy would best suit you, please e-mail me at DoctorOelke@aol.com
I also use homeopathic combination remedies in liquid and cream forms to help relieve stress and trauma that has built up on the system. Injurotox is a liquid remedy that contains about 15 different low potency homeopathic remedies for muscle, ligament, and tendon stress. Traumeel is a homeopathic cream that is used topically on areas of pain or injury. You can learn more about Traumeel at a colleague's website at www.toyourhealthstore.com/painrelief.html If you are interested in either of these products you can e-mail me at DoctorOelke@aol.com for more information or call toll-free 1-888-893-7225 to order over the phone since these are not available on my website at this time.
Next month I plan to tell you how to use homeopathic remedies to reduce inflammation, candida and other underlying bacterial or viral infections, that may be always affecting the immune system causing fatigue and hypersensitivity to pain.
Supplement of the Month - Rhus tox 30C for Fibromyalgia and Arthritis, and Rhus tox 200C for Poison Ivy
Rhus tox 30c is a very common homeopathic remedy used for arthritis, stiffness, and ligament strains in lower potencies. The cost of classical homeopathic remedies is very reasonable. For $5.50 you get about 100 little pellets. You only take 3 pellets at a time, and only one to three times per day. Also homeopathic remedies are only used when needed, not like nutritional supplements, which are taken regularly. The idea with homeopathic remedies is to stimulate your immune system to heal more quickly. For fibromyalgia symptoms I recommend Rhus tox to be used in a 30C potency, taken one to two times per day for two weeks to see if it helps your symptoms.
Rhus tox can also be used for poison ivy rashes. When you have poison ivy it is necessary to use a higher potency, or your rash could get worse before it gets better. Rhus tox 200c is recommended for poison ivy. The recommended daily dose is 3 pellets twice per day for up to 10 days. Use the remedy only until the rash begins to dry up and no new spots are breaking out. You can order both of these remedies on the website www.NaturalChoicesforFibromyalgia.com but be sure to specify which potency you need.
Fibromyalgia Newsletter – July 2004
Last month’s newsletter showed you how to use homeopathic remedies for your fibromyalgia symptoms. When you find the right homeopathic remedy that most closely matches your symptoms you will get pain relief. For example, Arnica, the most widely used homeopathic remedy for muscle soreness or overexertion, is also useful if trauma has occurred either physically or mentally, and the pain got worse after the trauma. Other remedies are more affected by weather changes or hormonal imbalances.
Using Homeopathic Remedies to Counteract Immune Weakness
This month I want to focus on using another type of homeopathic remedy that is specifically used to counteract immune system weakness brought on by suppressed antigens from bacteria, virus, or fungi in the system. For example, the Epstein-Barr virus has been associated with chronic fatigue. Other types of antigens include staphylococcus, streptococcus, e-coli, mononucleosis, cholera, and candida albicans.
Homeopathic remedies are made from these specific antigens to cancel out their effect on your immune system. This is similar to the Rhus tox remedy used for stiffness often associated with fibromyalgia or arthritis. The Rhus tox remedy is made from the poison ivy plant. It is used in higher doses to counteract poison ivy, and works very well when you catch it early.
When these types of homeopathic remedies are used counteract the effects of the disease they are called nosodes, and the medical science is officially called isopathy. Isopathy is broken down to mean iso= the same, and pathy=disease. So isopathy uses the same disease from which the patient suffers to cure the patient’s symptoms. These nosode remedies are used to build up the immune system and work by counteracting specific antigens from bacteria or viruses. All of these antigens can linger in the body causing constant immune system stress showing up as fatigue and chronic pain.
Other left over infections, especially from root canals or suppressed sinusitis, is another type of bacteria that can linger and cause the immune system to be constantly fighting to suppress these bacteria. I often ask my clients if they have had root canals, and how their health as changed since they occurred. Numerous fibromyalgia clients have shown great improvement when these suppressed infections are truly relieved.
So if you have had any of the above bacteria, viruses, or fungi, look into using homeopathic nosode remedies to counteract them. These remedies can take off some of the constant stress on your immune system, and create more energy for you. You can contact me at DoctorOelke@aol.com if you would like more information about nosodes.
Nutritional Remedies for Suppressed Antigens
One nutritional supplement that I recommend for reducing antigens that can cause intestinal problems is called CandiBactin AR. This softgel formula contains Red Thyme Oil, Oregano Oil, Sage and Lemon Balm to destroy antigens that are causing immune system weakness often seen as digestive disorders. It is the oregano herb that really reduces general antigens in your digestive tract. You can also use pure Oregano tablets, found at health food stores as OregaMax made by North American Herbs, or ADP by Biotics carried by many health practitioners including myself. You can contact me at 1-888-893-7225 to order it or e-mail me at DoctorOelke@aol.com Oregano is a very strong herb, and so I recommend gradually increasing your dosage, up to 6 softgels or tablets per day when needed. I have fibromyalgia clients that keep their pain in check by regularly taking ADP or CandiBactin AR.
Yes, You Can Have Carbohydrates! is a new report available online for you to use to help keep your blood sugar in balance. This report has a 130-food carbohydrate food list that shows the Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load of each food. Also this 16-page report tells you how to use the chart to improve your energy level and prevent many health challenges of today. You can order this chart by going to Updated Glycemic Load Chart
- Many people who read this newsletter are looking for ways to improve energy so that they can do the things they want to do. Remember that high quality whole food nutrition over time can make a huge difference in how you feel, and can get rid of most fibromyalgia pain. Your body is starving for nutrition when you have chronic pain. Do not waste your money or your time taking separate vitamins or minerals.
I have not seen any specific vitamin or mineral get rid of pain. Your body recognizes and uses whole food nutrition supplements made from foods and herbs much better than specific vitamins. In fact, I have seen health improvements made in people by taking them off of separate vitamins that they were taking because their body was becoming toxic to the fillers in their supplements. My favorite whole food supplement is called Juice Plus and I have been using it for 10 years with my fibromyalgia clients. You can learn more at Juice Plus+
Jane Oelke, N.D., Ph.D.
Natural Choices, Inc.
DoctorOelke@aol.com
www.naturalchoicesforyou.com
www.naturalchoicesforfibromyalgia.com
1-888-893-7225
|