I fell and injured my back last week but I am doing much better already. I’m going to be sharing a series of articles on post what I’m doing to ease the pain and heal – acupuncture and cupping being two of the approaches. As well as heat (with a hot water bottle), I’m also using a long list of nutrients such as:
- high-dose fish oil and curcumin (as anti-inflammatories)
- relaxing magnesium
- arnica for bruising
- GABA for relaxing my muscles and helping with the acute pain, and for easing the fear and anxiety (initially I was very fearful I had a serious back injury) and
- DPA (d-phenylalanine) for the endorphin-boosting pain-relief
Today I’m going to share some research on GABA and how it helps with pain reduction and muscle tension, and how the acupuncture actually boosts GABA (as well as endorphins) to reduce pain.
Based on the examination I have soft tissue bruising around the lumbar area (L3 to L5). Sitting had been impossible until 2 days ago and even now I have to alternate between sitting and standing. I also twisted my ankle in the fall so initially standing was even challenging!
I had one acupuncture and cupping session last Saturday and will be having another one this coming Saturday. I felt some immediate relief after this session and my back has been getting better and better each day.
Oral sublingual GABA for the acute pain and muscle relaxation
In the interim, between acupuncture/cupping sessions I felt I needed relaxing support for my stiff and spasming back muscles so I immediately started using high doses of GABA for the acute pain. And it’s been working amazingly well.
Right after the fall I was taking 1g of GABA powder every few hours (held in my mouth for 1-2 minutes) and now I only need to take it 2 or 3 times a day as needed. This is the dose I started with only because I know this dose works for me for the rectal spasms I sometimes experience. I always have clients do a trial and start low and increase slowly based on need and response. The starting dose is typically 125mg as found in GABA Calm but I suspect this is likely too low if you are someone needing pain relief.
With the oral sublingual GABA I feel relief from the pain within 5 minutes and it lasts a few hours.
My pain level was 10/10 and is now down to 2/10 most of the time with a few times during the day when it is 4/10. I’m walking, standing, able to turn over in bed and sleep through the night, and able to get off the bed without assistance. I can now also put on my yoga pants, socks and shoes myself – these were impossible tasks in the first 5 days after my fall!
Acupuncture boosts GABA and downregulates substance P and CGRP
I have not been able to find research on oral GABA for easing pain but do have some research to share. In this first paper, Effect of electroacupuncture on thermal pain threshold and expression of calcitonin-gene related peptide, substance P and γ-aminobutyric acid in the cervical dorsal root ganglion of rats with incisional neck pain the authors state that it is known that acupuncture therapy effectively reduces post-surgical pain, but its mechanism of action remains unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate:
whether expression of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the primary sensory neurons of cervical dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are involved in electroacupuncture (EA)-induced analgesia [pain reduction]in a rat model of incisional neck pain.
The conclusion is as follows: acupuncture increases the pain threshold i.e. it reduces pain and the mechanism is likely related to
downregulation of pronociceptive mediators SP/CGRP and upregulation of the inhibitory transmitter GABA in the primary sensory neurons of cervical DRGs
In case you’re not familiar with the terms substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) I’m going to explain what they are, how they are connected to pain and why downregulation helps with pain reduction.
What is substance P (SP)?
Founders and Directors of Neuroplastix, Marla Golden, DO and Michael Moskowitz, MD share this about substance-P (SP), the main pain neurotransmitter:
It has five basic functions in the body. They are pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression and nausea. Even though these seem like negative experiences, they are important for survival. Problems arise with excessive production and release of Substance-P.
They share a very descriptive video that:
depicts a nerve injury causing a massive release of Substance-P, up to 5 times greater than in acute pain. This diffuses out to three to five times more local area. This is a major way that the pain map expands in persistent pain and keeps the pain going.
Be sure to watch the video on this page.
What is calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)?
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is relatively new marker for pain as this recent review paper discusses – Calcitonin gene-related peptide and pain: a systematic review
The present review revealed the association between measured CGRP levels and somatic, visceral, neuropathic and inflammatory pain. These data suggest that CGRP may act as a neuromodulator in non-headache pain conditions. However, more studies are needed to fully understand the role of CGRP in nociceptive processing and therapy of chronic pain.
Oral GABA lowers substance P and CGRP in asthmatic children
As I mentioned there is no research on the effects of oral GABA on pain reduction so I’m going to extrapolate from this study on asthma – Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid treatment on plasma substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in children with asthma.
In this study of 75 children with asthma, 36 children were in the GABA treatment group and received oral GABA (25-30 mg/kg per day) in addition to standard asthma medications. For a 100 lb /45 kg child this would equate to 1125-1350mg of GABA per day.
The conclusion of the study is that oral GABA
can significantly decrease plasma levels of SP and CGRP in children suffering from acute asthma.
The authors propose that airway inflammation may be a factor in asthma and since GABA reduces SP and CGRP, eases neurogenic inflammation and tracheal spasms, it may offer a new approach for the prevention and treatment of asthma (this is my best translation from the Chinese paper).
In summary, oral GABA, used sublingually has helped me tremendously with the acute pain of my muscle injury, and it helped ease the anxiety and fear I felt right after the incident.
As you read above, I am using more than just the GABA, but because it works so quickly I saw benefits right away and had hope while all the other approaches are starting to slowly help too. I just love that I get to experience this first-hand and share it with you – although I would have preferred not falling and that initial severe pain!
I also have a good history of GABA helping me so this was a clue for me to try it now. It was my life-saver when I first experienced my terrible anxiety and panic attacks and helped me tremendously within a few days. I also did very well with GABA when I used it for throat spasms during my vagus nerve issue after that scary plane ride, and another incidence when I was getting terrible ice-pick type headaches that turned out to be a jammed neck issue. I really am a GABA girl aren’t I!?
I have used high doses of GABA like this with one client who had a back and neck injury after a construction accident. It also helped him tremendously.
Have you used high doses of GABA for muscle injuries and seen improvements like this? Or do you use this approach with your clients/patients?
Hi Trudy. I enjoy reading your articles. I have a question about pyroluria. In your book you mention a lab for testing. I would like to have my children tested and wanted to know what lab you recommend in the US. Thank you so much. You have helped me immensely.
Hi Diane
I don’t do pyroluria lab testing simply because the questionnaire and response to supplements works so well AND because there are often false negatives with the testing. If folks do still want to test I would suggest https://www.pyroluriatesting.com/
Thank you Trudy. I will give them the questionnaire and start them on the supplements based on the results.
Wow what timing Trudy!
I’ve been flat on my back literally , with back inflammation in my upper back that drove to to see a chiropractor about! Seems I had all my left ribs stuck (he assumes for years) and this has festered and due to doing an elimination diet flared up. But after the adjustment it was great until the back spasms started! Oh my goodness. GABA I will have to try that one. They have finally calmed with a set of essential oils I blended. But wow this is good to know. I hope your better soon!
Rita xo
(Mom to 4 boys, 3 with autism, mom with dementia, survived a house fire!) lol
Rita
So lovely to hear from you! Glad you’re doing better and found chiropractic adjustments and essential oils to help. Keep GABA in mind for next time for additional relief. Hope your boys and mom are doing ok too!
Thank you Trudy!
Yes, this is my first chiropractor visit but Im learning alot about my life long health issues. My mom was in hospital for a low blood pressure episode, but she’s home again. My boys are doing okay…trying to keep that OCD under control….and get ME better so i can be there for all of them. I sure will remember GABA for relief for back pain now! 🙂
Dear Trudy,
I love reading your articles for a long time and listen to you whenever you are on a summit. I have learned a lot. Gaba definitely helps me to relax, reduce my monkey mind and sleep better.
My mom has Parkinsons and is very stiff and tight. She hurts often, especially her back. She also has afternoon anxiety, some call it “sundowners”. Can she take Gaba with carbidopa-levidopa and blood pressure meds? She needs some kind of help!
Thank you in advance for any suggestions you might have to give her any quality of life as right now it is not good and the doctors offer no suggestions beyond possibly more prescriptions.
Hugs,
Cathy
Cathy
So glad to hear GABA helps you to relax, reduce your monkey mind and sleep better.
I am sorry to hear about your mom’s stiffness, pain and anxiety. Regarding the stiffness and back pain I would suggest sharing this paper with your doctor and getting his/her approval to do a trial of GABA.
Parkinson’s Disease and Neurodegeneration: GABA-Collapse Hypothesis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27375426 “the original description of Parkinson’s disease (PD) as due to the selective damage of dopaminergic neurons in the mesencephalon should be updated into the concept of a severe multisystemic neurodegenerative disorder of the nervous system, whose clinical symptoms reflect the localization and progression of the most advanced GABA pathology. A future and more complete therapeutic approach to PD should be aimed first at slowing (or stopping) the progression of Ca(2+)/GABA functional decline.”
I have worked with a few people with Parkinson’s disease and GABA has been very helpful for stiffness, pain, physical anxiety, tremors and sleeping.
Regarding “sundowners” I’d share this with your doctor and get the approval to trial tryptophan – Sundown Syndrome in Persons with Dementia: An Update http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3246134/
And finally Chris Kresser has an excellent blog post https://chriskresser.com/new-research-and-treatments-for-parkinsons-disease/ and the Wahls Protocol for MS shows promise and is being researched for Parkinson’s disease https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/parkinsons-disease-multiple-sclerosis-diet-research/
Cathy
I had intended to come back and share this inspiring music video for your mom and then time go away from me. Here it is http://www.parkinson.org/get-involved/my-pd-story/anicea
I also wanted to thank you again for your questions about your mom and let you know they inspired a blog post on this so more people are aware of some options for loved ones with Parkinson’s disease https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-tryptophan-pain-anxiety-parkinsons-disease/
Please do come back and let us know how your mom is doing
Trudy
Hi Trudy , I’m aware you tested positive for pyroluria. When I was tested and came back borderline the functional dr said no more fish oil. I noticed in your post here you said your taking fish oil for anti inflammatory help. So now I’m a bit confused. Can I take fish oil or any oil for that matter that’s high in omega 3s? Because I know its good for depression , which I have badly right now. And I want to put O3s back into my diet but was afraid to. Thanks
Jodie
Most pyrolurics don’t need additional omega-3s (because they can extract them from the foods they eat) but in a injury situation like this I felt more would help with inflammation. Ideally I’d do a fatty acid test and then I’d know for sure but I wanted to start seeing relief right away.
I recommend fatty acid testing for my clients and then you know for sure. Also you would need to be eating sources of omega-3s like salmon, sardines, leafy greens, walnuts etc to be extracting them from your food. Keep in mind that fish oil is only good for depression in those who have low levels of omega-3s. Depression can also be due to low serotonin, low catecholamines, low endorphins, gluten, low iron/zinc/b6/b12 so it’s a matter of finding the root cause and addressing that.
Thanks Trudy . I don’t eat any of those things. A lot going on healthwise right now and on very restricted diet so my guess would be I’d have very low levels. But I’m glad you mentioned there’s a test I can do to check. No other dr or nd has suggested this and I do like to test first, not guess. I ll mention it to my nd at mthfr clinic.
Dear Trudy,
I am blown away by your kindness and depth of input regarding my original question about Gaba and Parkinson’s. Thank you for all of that info. I am on it! And yes, I will let you know what comes of all of this. The doc has mentioned using benzos and I have said no (once again because I have followed you for so long and know better!) so I am hoping she will be open to this idea.
You truly have a passion for what you do and I hope that someday I have an opportunity to meet you in person.