Natural Cures for Chronic Pain Syndromes Silenced by Medical Doctors
More Proof that Medical Science Wants You on Drugs!
(Revised from Sept. 2013)
Dr. Michelle Kmiec, Founder OHH
Lately, it seems that every other person suffers from some type of pain syndrome or another. And if you are one of them, then you have known that it is not only physically painful but emotionally agonizing as well.
This combination of physical and emotional distress can have a devastating effect on your quality of life and can lead to untamed cycles. Of course, there is no shortage of pharmaceutical drugs to ease all of your symptoms; and sadly to also mask the symptoms you haven’t yet experienced–the side effects of the drugs themselves.
So, let’s first explore how a health “condition” gets labeled as a syndrome and/or a disease.
A syndrome is generally defined as a health condition with more than one symptom that has not yet been classified as a “disease.” In other words, the basis of a syndrome is that there are a group of symptoms that occur together but are not directly measured and/or considered tangible by medical science. This is known as subjective (or anecdotal) pain, because the pain is reported by the patient, but cannot be confirmed to “really” exist per medical science.
“My back hurts”, “I have a headache”, “It feels like bugs are crawling under my skin.” These are all subjective and usually not measurable. But, if you are experiencing more than one of these “symptoms”, then a syndrome is born.
Diseases, on the other hand, are symptoms that can be corroborated by medical science, and thus are no longer considered subjective; but rather objective. So a disease has “sound scientific backing”.
In the case of a syndrome, although the symptoms are painfully “real” to the individual experiencing them, they are not necessarily viewed as a “real” physical condition per the definition of Evidence-Based Medicine. In the past, many of these pain syndromes were labeled as conditions that were “all in your head,” and doctors would routinely suggest that the patient seek psychiatric help.
Today, patients are not typically referred out for psychiatric care, but they are instead given pharmaceuticals that have a direct influence on the individual’s emotional state. This suggests that medical science still believes these conditions to be manifested in the mind, as opposed to an actual physical condition.
Medical Doctors Are OVER Medicating
Anti-depressants and/or anti-anxiety medications are two of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States with over 250,000,000 prescriptions written each year. And this number is growing!
And many of these prescriptions for depression and anxiety are a part of the pain syndrome treatment protocol.
But people with these pain syndromes also need something for the pain, right?
A drug gaining popularity in recent days in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes is Methadone. Methadone has been reported to be upwards of 20 times stronger than both Vicodin or Percocet, which also makes Methadone a far more dangerous drug.
Prescriptions for painkillers are at an all-time high along with, and not surprisingly, deaths due to overdose from those prescription painkillers!
Tizanidine (Zanaflex) is another commonly prescribed drug for nerve pain. One of its more dangerous side-effects is liver toxicity, along with the potential for dangerous interactions with other drugs.
And to top it all off, people suffering from pain syndromes are probably not sleeping well at night due to the… PAIN! Report this symptom to your medical doctor, and you would be surprised at how quickly you have added yet another drug to your “treatment” arsenal!
By far, prescription sleep medications are the most prescribed medication in the USA!
Sadly, the statistics now show that nearly half of all Americans take at least one prescription drug, and nearly 40% take at least two! And to top it all off, the most common advice medical doctors offer these patients is to simply learn to live with their respective syndrome(s) and learn to manage the pain (with drugs). Often they are advising against holistic approaches and nutritional treatments, and the patient is left feeling that there is little hope for relief. How bleak and sad for the person who is suffering.
Perhaps instead of advising patients to “accept” their syndrome and encouraging them to “manage” the symptoms with drugs, we should be asking:
Why are these people suffering in the first place? And what are the cause(s) of these syndromes and diseases?
When you look at all the chemicals we are exposed to every day in our food, air, and water, it is no wonder that we are experiencing adverse impacts to our health.
Can we really live in a polluted environment without it affecting our nutritional status?
It is well documented that alcohol depletes the body of B vitamins and vitamin C. And what about all of the preservatives, chemicals and genetically modified foods we now consume? Do they deplete the body as well?
Course they do!
And this is why I firmly believe that all syndromes and disease start from nutritional deficiencies. And I’m going to prove it!
Take for example pain syndromes such as:
- Fibromyalgia
- Myofascial pain syndrome (chronic myofascial pain)
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Restless leg syndrome
All of these have strong studies linking them to nutritional deficiencies. And there are three nutrients that are “deficiency stand-outs”: magnesium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12. In the United States, deficiency of these nutrients has become an epidemic!
Interestingly, conventional medicine has created controversies surrounding all three of these nutrients (as well as others) resulting in:
- A public fear of nutrition
- Nutritional guidelines that are useless, such as Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA).
- Individuals habitually feeding themselves pharmaceutical drugs which only exponentiates nutritional deficiencies.
Magnesium deficiency is nothing new. But sadly most people are completely unaware of this. A 2007 Study reported,
“Magnesium inadequacy affects more than half of the U.S. population and is associated with increased risk for many age-related diseases, yet the underlying mechanisms are unknown…”
An interesting article in LifeExtension Magazine, 2005, said the following:
“The latest government study shows a staggering 68% of Americans do not consume the recommended daily intake of magnesium… Is it any wonder that disability and death from heart attack and stroke are the nation’s leading killers?
While the government officially refuses to recognize the effects of magnesium in preventing vascular disease, the National Institutes of Health does publish the following on its website:
- Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
The nation’s leading health agency acknowledges magnesium’s critical role in keeping us alive, yet the FDA has done everything it could to keep this low-cost mineral out of American’s bodies.”
But there is something here that is being missed…the study was only referring to the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI), which is the minimal amount needed to maintain health one step above disease and not the amount needed for optimal health, let alone the amount needed to recover from an illness!
The article continues by adding:
“Doctors eagerly prescribe expensive patented drugs, while low-cost nutrients like magnesium remain overlooked. If the 68% of Americans who are magnesium deficient took corrective action, the need for many of these prescription drugs would be reduced.
Instead, the public is bombarded with advertisements encouraging people to ask their doctor for statin drugs such as Lipitor® and Zocor®…
… The result is that startling numbers of aging Americans suffer the lethal consequences of magnesium deficiency.”
Myofascial Pain Syndrome & Fibromyalgia
What of other health conditions, such as Myofascial Pain Syndrome or Fibromyalgia?
People suffering from conditions designated as “syndromes” are routinely found to have multiple nutritional deficiencies. And as the body becomes weaker, mental health also begins to suffer. It is no surprise then that prolonged pain can easily result in depression and/or anxiety.
The stress from depression and anxiety furthers the nutritional deficiencies, thus worsening the condition, and then drugs are prescribed which further perpetuate the nutritional deficiency.
What a vicious cycle!
Multiple Sclerosis has long been linked to magnesium and Vitamin D deficiencies. Therefore, it is not surprising that many who suffer from MS are also diagnosed with myofascial pain.
So, with at least 68% of the population known to be deficient, why hasn’t any effort gone into the real prevention of these diseases? Especially since logic suggests that we know what the cure is…nutrition!
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a fairly new “health condition” that has gained in popularity with health professionals. Interestingly, this new syndrome actually had a pharmaceutical drug designed for it before the syndrome was given its name!
In Medical News Today, a 2009 article estimated that RLS affects nearly 10% of the population,
“Recent research has found that people with restless leg syndrome are deficient in the mineral magnesium.”
Even the popular website WebMD clearly states:
“The specific causes of restless leg syndrome (RLS) are not known.”
They later state on the same page:
“Vitamin and mineral deficiency, such as magnesium deficiency and vitamin B-12 deficiency is a possible “medical condition” linked to RLS.“
What? No wonder we are so confused!
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome gained popularity in the 1980’s, and even then magnesium was named as a major player. A study in the Lancet, 1991 found the following:
“Red cells returned to normal in all patients on magnesium but in only 1 patient on placebo. The findings show that magnesium may have a role in CFS.”
And even with studies like this one linking CFS with magnesium deficiency, the medical profession still chooses to ignore the research in lieu of pharmaceuticals.
People are in pain, real pain and too many lives are being ruined by the pain syndrome, or ruined by the prescribed drugs themselves!
When will this stop? When will we wake up and acknowledge that everything in our world is severely polluted (in the name of profit), and causing all of these deficiencies?
When will real nutrition be considered the first and only solution, especially since this is what the research continues to prove?
Is there a reason why conventional medicine wants us on so many drugs? Is it more than just profits?
People do cure themselves from pain syndromes, such as myofascial pain and restless leg syndrome, to diseases such as multiple sclerosis (as I did!) and cancer!
We are ALL living proof that cures are found through nutrition, not via a chemical drug!
Related Articles
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency Prevalent in US
- Prescription Drug Nation
- Nationwide Vitamin D Deficiency
- Magnesium in Hypertension Prevention and Control
- Restless Leg Syndrome Linked To Magnesium Deficiency
is a board-certified Chiropractic Physician and Life Coach who also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology, and a minor in Medical Research. She is a life-long athlete who after curing herself 100% naturally from MS and anxiety, became an avid nutrition health researcher/promoter.
She has been featured in many Health magazines and has been a guest on radio talk shows in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. She is the author of Health Freedom Revolution: Exposing the Lies, Deceit and Greed of the Medical Profession, Founder of Online Holistic Health, and a contributing writer for other popular informative health website/blogs.
She is the host of Holistic Health Radio – where she discusses how she recovered her health as well as other hot health topics, and she is also co-founder of Crazy Meets Common Sense! – The Podcast that Makes Sense Out of the Crazy, to Help You Live a More Healthy, Fulfilling and Empowering Life!
September 21, 2014 @ 12:16 pm
I was told I had Fibromyalgia 16 years ago and was put on 45mg of Narco daily. I lost the job I loved and could not even get out of bed for the first three years. For years I had to walk with a cane. Before I was active but now I was in bad shape and told there was nothing that could be done. For other reasons just recently I started eating Organic and added Magnesium to my vitamins. With Narco I got about 50% relief but it cause a host of other problems. After one month of eating Organic and taking supplements regular I have 75% relief. I can not believe that the doctors put me on strong pain meds for 14 years (and told me I needed to take them forever) but did not suggest changing my diet or taking supplements. I was not even aware I was eating GMO’s until this last summer. Thanks for this article. it confirms I am on the right path.
September 22, 2014 @ 10:01 am
Thanks for sharing your story! You are definitively on the right path and I believe that you will get to 100% pain free!
March 11, 2015 @ 6:56 pm
Hello can you please please tell me how much supplements u should take for myofascial pain syndrome this is ruining my life an I’m only 26! Had it for 10 years after an abusive boyfriend gave me stress please email me with any information to get rid of this horrible syndrome 🙁
April 10, 2015 @ 9:52 am
While I couldn’t agree more that nutritional deficits/depletion contribute to a host of syndromes and diseases, I believe that more importantly the bombardment of toxic heavy metals (found in herbicides and pesticides that have infiltrated our food and water supplies, but to mention the air we breath) is an even greater cause for concern.
November 23, 2015 @ 7:20 pm
They don’t make money unless they are prescribing or cutting so nutrition is really of no help to the “for profit” medical business. I got talked out of a completely healthy organ from these quacks, all that did was give me more pain, still don’t know what is wrong with me, and I have since then been alienated by the UW Madison Hospital facilities until I change health care providers. I can go check myself into the ER day after day, after day, nothing, eventually they will just tell me, don’t come back, we have nothing to offer you, they do offer to get you to sign papers so they can harvest your organs if you die, very sick and twisted industry.
January 11, 2016 @ 9:44 am
Please tell me also what to take for myofascial pain syndrome.I have severe pain in low back, hips and legs since 2 years with sleep disturbance. I dont want to take prescription meds.Can anyone suggest what supplements to take and the dosage .Thanks
February 17, 2016 @ 1:37 am
i am really looking ot know how much of these supplements are required for Chronic myofasial pain i am soon to be 30 and have been suffering since my daughter was born and shes lost having a normal childhood i am desperate and disgusted by all of this prescrtion drugs. Orgaincfood and sugarless diet isnt an issue or has t ever been we always eat clean what do i do
June 6, 2016 @ 11:27 am
How much magnesium should a person take for myofacial pain syndrome. You also mention vitamin d and b12 but do not say how much is needed?
June 9, 2016 @ 4:43 pm
I would like to suggest at the minimum taking a high quality multi-vitamin and multi-mineral I found liquid to be the best, even though it is more expensive. You might also want to look into heavy metal poisoning. Adding the multi’s to my daily routine along with iodine and a separate dose of D3 helped some, but when I started using EDTA, a metal chelator, I started seeing a huge difference in my muscle knots and pain. Good luck to all!
July 10, 2016 @ 2:23 pm
(RLS) Restless Leg Syndrome is caused by INFLAMMATION. There Is a website that shows the real cause and solution. It is http://www.rlcure.com.
I took magnesium for years and it help some. My RLS is very sensitive to sugar too. It wasn’t until I was feeling deathly and magnesium not working that I had to find other ways to address it. I take antioxidants etc and limit my sugar. Go to that website.
July 10, 2016 @ 2:35 pm
Hello, I agree 100% that the “real” cause is inflammation – spot on! However, for many simply addressing simple deficiencies (magnesium as only one) is a major relief! The solution however is finding balance in all the three major components of health: Physical, Nutritional, and Emotional (for many, this one is key). That is what I addressed to reduce inflammation to cure myself 100% from MS and anxiety! Thanks again for your comment and for the link to your fav website – all are welcome here! 😀
October 26, 2016 @ 9:11 pm
I enjoyed learning about nutrition. My husband has a frozen shoulder and has been diagnosis complex pain syndrome left hand this is the complication after he had a colonoscopy and the doctor perforated his colon had emergency surgery in February 2016 left with a bag. August 2016 the doctor connected his colon but now he develop left frozen shoulder and the left hand is swallow so they did an MRI and has was diagnosed with complex pain syndrome i would like to know how to treat him with natural products he is taking multi vitamins iron, magnesium B12 omega, antioxidant vitamin C 1000 ml Indian clay for the hand what else can i do to help. Please help
November 30, 2017 @ 4:53 pm
Certainly it is always good to start with diet and nutrition, but it is really devastating to someone like me who has tried everything holistic over the years, but because of genetics and nerve damage from surgeries, I am in chronic pain. It’s so hard for us who do it all right and still have so much pain. Surely we cannot choose to go on like this forever when we have exhausted all of the holistic diet, nutrition, and supplements over years time. Sometimes, you just have to take prescription medicines but always very cautiously and after you have exhausted all other options.
December 1, 2017 @ 11:16 am
Hi Carrie! You bring up excellent points. Certainly, surgeries can be very destructive to the body resulting in scar tissue and unfortunately nerve damage – both issues resulting in inflammation and chronic pain. However, that was not the focus of this particular article. This article focused on those who are overly prescribed pharmaceuticals and who would greatly benefit from the nutrients they desperately need to relieve them of the pain. And there are many studies that support this conclusion (the article linked some of the studies).
No doubt pharmaceuticals dull the pain receptors and that can bring much-needed relief! And that is more than understandable, but I also encourage you to not give up your holistic quest for pain relief as all possible treatments are never truly exhausted. But I get it, Carrie, on my path to recovery from my autoimmune condition, there certainly were days that I felt hopeless – I didn’t give up and I hope you don’t give up either!
As I mentioned, surgeries do cause scar tissue and there is something that can help. Have you checked out serrapeptase?
Thank you so much for your heartfelt comment and I do wish you all the best in your continued search for pain relief and optimal health!
January 6, 2018 @ 2:13 pm
Hello Dr. Kmiec,
I totally agree with your article … 110% ! After a hard fall on some stairs over 2 years ago, I’ve been dealing with chronic pain in my trapezius area, neck, cervical area, right shoulder, and right arm all the way down to my hand. I’ve been to so many doctors, specialists, Physical therapists, massage therapists, a Functional medicine doctor, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, been put on medications for pain, anxiety, and depression, with no real results. I even had surgery on my right shoulder because I had a torn rotator cuff. I’ve been told I have so many things, I don’t even know what to believe anymore. I’ve been trying to do my own research and am literally stuck. The latest “syndrome” I believe I may have is Myofascial Pain Syndrome, which I will see a specialist next month. All I know is that I want to get out of this pain or at the very least, minimize it so I can go back to having a functional life again.
You mentioned people who deal with chronic pain being deficient in magnesium. What would be the appropriate amount one should take to get optimal results (not just the minimal amount) ? And with there being many types of magnesium (oxide, citrate, chloride, etc) out there, which one would you recommend for someone who has Myofascial pain?
Thanks,
Rachel
January 8, 2018 @ 8:25 am
Hello Rachel! Thank you!
I prefer magnesium orotate as well as the carrier “orotate” to any mineral.
Good luck and wish you the best!
July 20, 2018 @ 7:47 am
What brand of magnesium do you use?
October 18, 2018 @ 7:09 pm
After suffering from fibromyalgia for several years, I have been on all types of medications. Oxycodone, Vicodin, Lyrica, Gabapentin, Percocet, just to name a few. I began to develop livere problems from the large amounts of pain medicine. I ran across https://www.guideyourhealth.org/single-post/KratomPowderGuide and seen the movie Leaf of Faith in the same day. They are both on Kratom as a natural alternative. I decided to try Kratom after looking into it and am finally pain free. My liver enzymes are going back down and my family physician couldn’t believe it. When I told him I was taking Kratom, he discouraged me and told me it was like heroin. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. I feel like they only want you to heal from synthethic drugs. It is extremely frustrating. What are your feelings on Kratom?
January 1, 2020 @ 1:50 am
What synergistic supplements do you recommend for pain due to chemo and radiation?