In this edition I talk about two topics:

• Lifestyle and herbal medicine to treat musculoskeletal pain 
• Massage for breast cancer patients

A worthy first topic - What we eat, how we move and how we feel will effect the amount of pain we experience in our bodies! And now massage can be used for breast cancer patients before their chemotherapy treatment or much later after radiation if those are the treatments you have to have. 

Lifestyle and herbal medicine to treat musculoskeletal pain

If you have chronic inflammatory pain certain foods in your diet can either promote recovery from pain or promote the persistance of pain. So below are lists of foods in each category.

A. Foods to promote recovery

1. Vegetables

2. Berries

3. Citrus fruit

4. Nuts

5. Cucurmin( Turmeric), ginger

6. Green tea

7. Soybeans

B. Dietary promoters of persistant pain 

• High levels of saturated fats and sugar e.g. Chocolate, cakes, biscuits, some desserts, red meat, cheeses. Any processed/packaged food.
• And it seems different types of diet will work better with  different diseases.

So if you have say Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid arthritis or general musculoskeletal pain then a Mediterranean diet which is lower in protein and saturated fats than a regular diet is the best way to go. And if you are a vegetarian that is very beneficial too. 

And fasting is very good for musculoskeletal pain and joint pain.

C.Other contributors to Chronic pain

• Ongoing use of opiates
• As we all know structural misalignment and nerve entrapment
• Long term depression
• Unsupportive relationships
• Interrupted sleep
• Negative thought processes, over catastrophising
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Omega 3 deficiency
• Magnesium deficiency

D. Managing chronic pain through herbs and supplement

• PEA - 600-2400g a day.  - Neuro protective, an analgaesic and anti-inflammatory. For arthritis, shingles, fibromyalgia, failed back surgery syndrome, migraines. 
• NAC- Reduces neuropathic pain  1-3g a day
• Magnesium - 300-600mg a day
• Omega 3 - Fish oils or eat mullet, anchovies and salmon 3X a day. 
• Zinc, green tea and Cucurmin. 
• Vitamin D - Need to have > 50 nmol/L but preferably 100nm/L. Magnesium deficiency can contribute to Vit D deficiency. 
• Probiotics

E. Activity/exercise

• Exercise can improve physical function, depression and pain. Fear of moving will prolong the healing process and a successful recovery!
• Use of an exercise physiologist  or Pilates instructor can help you to rehabilitate.
• Important to pace yourself within your pain levels.
• And massage can help the tight muscles associated with the pain or nerve pain.

F. Social connection

• Social interactions play an important role in your perceptions of pain. 
• Quality of support is very important too

G. Self management

• Laughter
• Work out ways to cope
• Good sleep
• Be in nature - the sea or the bush
• Ease up on coffee and alcohol
• Meditation, relaxation apps
• Look at your own perceptions on how bad the pain really is. 

Anyway, I hope this helps you to manage your pain through all these suggestions. If you want any herbal medicine or massage help let me know.

Massage for breast cancer patients

A member of our massage association did some research on the benefits of remedial massage on breast cancer patients at The Chris O'Brien Lighthouse Centre in Sydney. She used massage where the pain medication was not working adequately or they were feeling depressed. The research  was an evaluation of massage on self reported symptom burden and wellbeing .Of 288 patients each had to rate 17 symptoms on a scale. From this they chose 2 of their chief concerns. Their chief concerns were sleep issues, fatigue, memory and wellbeing. Results of  wellbeing showed that aches and pains were of most concern. Shoulder issues were the worst due to being hunched over because of the pain, which can result in a decreased range of motion(ROM), but also due to cording( lymph vessels became thick and scarred from chemotherapy and radiation) thus reducing movement in the shoulder. Gentle massage on the shoulder to increase ROM, or on these cords with stretching helped them out. Massage was shown to be statistically significant in improving patients wellbeing and two of their concerns. 

For radiation treatment do not have massage for 5 weeks after 5 weeks of radiation. This is due to infection control. Massage statistically improved wellbeing and also the 2 key areas of pain and lack of sleep.

Patients had a massage just before the first treatment and then a second massage  just before the next treatment. PatIents had 4 or more massages once every 3 weeks. 

It just shows you that 30 years ago when I started practising massage, treating patients with breast cancer was not on. Now it is much more accepted as an adjunct to the medical treatment to help the patient's side effects, particularly their pain levels. And some some doctors are pro and others are anti massage. 

Quote of the Quarter

 'Live and work

but do not forget to play,

to have fun in life

and really enjoy it'.

Eileen Caddy

'The Dawn of Change'.

Winter is fast approaching and the big wet is still with us. Oh for more sunny breaks! Keeping up your emotional wellbeing is very important during this time whether it be through exercise, a hobby, socialising, the arts or a holiday break. 

All of the above will contribute to a stronger immune system to fight off Covid, the flu, bronchitis, pneumonia all very common in the Winter months.

 

Kind Regards

Penny Wade

Massage Therapist and herbalist