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Achy Breaky Bits
We Naturopaths aren't competitive, so you'll always win with us!
Regardless of whether you’ve injured yourself, you’re suffering from a degenerative bone or joint condition, or you’ve developed one of the ‘hurty’ types of musculoskeletal conditions (Fibromyalgia or muscular spasm), we can help nurse you back to health. Naturopaths + Medical Herbalists can assist your Osteopath, Chiropractor, Physiotherapist, Massage Therapist, Doctor or Surgeon with the use of natural painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants (among other things). Naturopathy doesn’t try to compete with the conventional system, rather it endeavours to complete it by slotting into its obvious gaps.
Naturopaths excel in preventative medicine (maintaining or improving health). Therefore, it can be a good idea to see a Naturopath while you’re still healthy, rather than waiting until something happens. If you pick us first to be on your team, you may not need to be side-lined — let alone benched for the season!
Note: We’re also pretty awesome at dealing with chronic disease, and establishing wellness.
On the up-and-up
We don’t just aim to reduce the physical experience of pain, we also aim to address the underlying and surrounding issues (as appropriate). We take the following areas into consideration:
Before and after surgery care
We offer prior support to achieve better surgical outcomes (reduced risk of infections and improved recovery time).
We can support your body while on conventional painkillers and antibiotics.
Note: The effectiveness of our natural forms of pain relief may allow the dosage of prescription medication to be reduced.
Promotion of efficient tissue repair & regeneration
We provide restorative nutrients, promote correct digestive + immune function, and offer stress support.
The backlash of chronic pain
We can help improve sleep and mood disorders. We can also help to prevent painkiller dependence.
Lean on us — we'll support you!
These are the types of musculoskeletal issues that we can treat:
Chronic overuse syndromes
Conditions such as Bursitis + Tendonitis.
Fibromyalgia + Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Muscular tension + pain
OsteoArthritis + Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoporosis
Sports Injuries
After your injury has been initially treated by conventional medicine.
I can be difficult to work with!
If you’ve read my post on Food Intolerance, you’ll know that I suffer from a skeletal muscle condition that I manage through diet and various other natural therapies.
Note: I very occasionally need painkillers when it gets on top of me. And I’m only talking about taking 2 tablets 1-2x here.
I therefore know how important it is to use multiple therapies when dealing with musculoskeletal issues. If I go to my Chiropractor or Massage Therapist when I haven’t been looking after myself as well as I could (not watching my diet, and not taking my magnesium + kava), then the physical manipulation isn’t effective — I’m difficult to adjust, and the treatment doesn’t ‘hold’. However, this manipulation is incredibly effective when I target my condition holistically and stick to my dietary + supplement + medicinal herb regime.
Similarly, if a client comes to me with stress or tension headaches, one of my recommendations will be that they also seek the services of a therapeutic masseuse. Or, if a client comes to me suffering from a nervous system complaint (which could result in — or be the cause of — a myriad of conditions) I will recommend they also see a Chiropractor or Osteopath.
We can treat these conditions in a variety of ways
Depending on the specific circumstances, a Naturopathic treatment plan could include any of the following:
Dietary Recommendations
We can manipulate your diet to:
MANAGE PAIN + INFLAMMATION
We will promote certain foods + herbs that reduce inflammation (oily fish + garlic), as well as discourage certain foods that create inflammation (red meat + chicken)
MANAGE WEIGHT
If you have poor motility, or to aid your recovery
IMPROVE DIGESTION
To promote nutrient uptake
ENHANCE IMMUNE SYSTEM
To promote healing
REDUCE STRESS
To promote nutrient uptake, enhance healing and improve sleep quality
Note: Sometimes we might use coffee therapeutically to promote ‘painkilling’ – as it works on a particular pain pathway in the body (it’s a LOX inhibitor). However, in most cases caffeine creates stress in the body. This is detrimental to the healing process.
Nutritional Supplements
We might recommend one or more of the following:
A PAINKILLER
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES
Bioflavonoids
Bromelain
Quercetin
Vitamin C
EPA(Fish oil)
MSMMUSCLE RELAXANTS
Calcium
Magnesium
MSMREPAIR & REGENERATION
Glucosamine & Chondroitin
MSM
Specific vitamins & minerals
Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC)STRESS/ANXIETY/DEPRESSION/SLEEP
Calcium
Magnesium
B-group vitamins
I love T.L.A' s
(Three letter abbreviations).
Did you notice how many times MSM featured above?
Methylsulfonylmethane (a form of sulphur) is fabulous for1:
— Increasing blood flow (and therefore promoting repair + regeneration)
— Reducing muscle spasm
— Inhibiting pain impulses along nerve fibres
— Inhibiting inflammation
— Softening scar tissue, and
— Modulating auto-immune diseases e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Note: Because of the many actions above, MSM is also beneficial for those that suffer from Asthma. MSM also modulates allergic responses making it beneficial for any ‘allergic’ condition e.g. sinusitis, or hay fever sufferers. And, sulphur is good for your skin, nails and hair. All of this, and it’s cheap!
Herbal Medicine
We might recommend one or more of the following:
PAINKILLERS
California Poppy
Pasque Flower
White Willow
(Medicinal Marijuana; if it’s legal where you are)ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES
Boswellia
Cayenne
Celery Seed
Devil’s Claw
Feverfew
Ginger
Liquorice
TurmericNote: our natural painkillers and anti-inflammatories work on the same enzymes as the equivalents in conventional medicine. In fact, we can access certain pathways that pharmaceuticals cannot (affecting change at the cellular membrane level), and some of our natural alternatives act on many pathways simultaneously e.g. Turmeric, Garlic, and Fish oil.
MUSCLE RELAXANTS
Kava & Crampbark
REPAIR AND REGENERATION
Grape Seed
Gotu Kola
Gingko BilobaSTRESS/ANXIETY/DEPRESSION/SLEEP
Kava
Valerian
St Johns Wort
California Poppy
(Medicinal Marijuana; if it’s legal where you are)
Rhodiola — it’s one of my favourite herbs!
Arnica's not just for bruises!
There are many topical ‘natural’ anti-inflammatories on the market. They can contain substances like: Winter Green, Comfrey, Cayenne, Arnica, and MSM. You can also choose from heating or cooling products depending upon your particular circumstances.
My favourite product for sore muscles is straight Arnica. It works a treat for any type of sore, bruised feeling — usually where there is tissue trauma.
Note: Only ever apply Arnica to intact skin.
Lisa says:
Talk to your Naturopath or Medical Herbalist
We’ll work with you, and in conjunction with your other health providers to provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan. We’ll let you know the best forms of supplements + herbs to take. We will advise the correct dosage and length of time they should be taken for.
If you’re not ready to give up your orthodox painkillers yet, then we can help to potentiate these medications to make them work even better for you. (We ensure they are working effectively, and that you only require the minimum amount.)
We can help make your big 'Boo-boos' all better — faster!
Make an appointment with Lisa
Lisa Fitzgibbon is a degree qualified (2006), experienced and registered Naturopath & Medical Herbalist. She runs her own private practice – OOMPH in Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand.
Lisa has been involved in the Natural Health industry for 16 years. She draws on her professional training and experience, as well as her own personal experience to bring you realistic, holistic health advice.
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