The American Pain Foundation (APF) has called pain a national healthcare crisis. Morethan 50 million Americans are suffering from chronic pain and another 25 millionare dealing with acute pain.

Chronic pain can include back pain, arthritis, muscle strain, carpel tunnel syndrome, andpain from chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis,osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. 

Acute pain can be caused by injury fromsports (such as sprained ankles) or trauma from accidents.

More and more research has shown that inflammation is usually a component of pain.The signs of inflammation are swelling, pain, warmth, and redness in the affected area.(On a related note, many of my diabetic patients come to me withdiagnoses of bursitis, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis. High blood sugars canadd to the inflammatory process, producing pain.)

I have experienced an increased success rate in pain management (both chronic andacute) by using a combination of acupuncture and systemic proteolytic enzymetherapy.

In Chinese medicine, pain is considered to be caused by blocked energy channels. Whenchannels are blocked, the energy cannot flow and pain is the result. Acupuncturestimulates the natural flow of energy by unblocking these channels to decreasepain and restore balance in the body.

The use of systemic enzyme therapy with both acute and chronic pain has also proved tobe successful in my practice. The use of specific enzymes can break down proteins in thebody that can cause scar tissue and inflammation. These enzymes are made of a combination of plant-derived proteolytic enzymes that are effective in reducing swellingand inflammation, thus reducing pain. 

 Pain management through systemic enzyme therapy is a healthier alternative to drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofenand prescribed medications. Because enzymes are natural substances that are used topromote chemical reactions in the body, the body processes them naturally. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen are known to have ill effects on theliver, kidneys, stomach, and intestines.

A crucial component to the effectiveness of enzyme therapy is the timing of the medication. Because the desired effect of the enzyme is systemic and not digestive, theenzyme must not be taken with food. The medication must be taken one hour before orafter eating to obtain its full systemic effectiveness to reduce inflammation and pain.

A note of caution: blood thinners such as coumadin are contraindicated with the use ofsystemic enzyme therapy. That is why it is always important to keep your health careproviders informed of all medications and dietary supplements you are taking. 

Systemic enzyme therapy can be obtained only from a licensed medical practitioner andthe patient should be monitored and assessed regularly for changes in appropriate dosage.