Low levels of some neurotransmitters, which are made by the body from amino acids, can contribute to chronic pain. Low gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels can result in stiff/tense and painful muscles, anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed. Other neurotransmitters related to pain are low serotonin and low endorphins.
I have many clients who see major improvements in pain levels – when they address low neurotransmitters. In fact one client was able to stop two pain medications when he added GABA and so many people benefit from DPA (d-phenylalanine). And the added bonus is that GABA also helps with anxiety and overwhelm and DPA helps with sadness and comfort eating.
This and much more can be found in a great article called NATURAL WAYS OF DEALING WITH CHRONIC PAIN and written by Lisa Moretti. She featured my tips on neurotransmitters and some other wonderful resources from other experts. It was published in the October issue of Max Sports and Fitness.
In her introduction, Lisa reminds us that “According to a 2011report by the Institutes of Medicine of the National Academies, 116 million Americans live with chronic pain – more than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. But many of us aren’t looking to just mask the pain by interfering pharmaceutically with our body’s pain signaling system. We want to get to the bottom of it and fix it!
Continuing “We asked experts, athletes and those who have experienced personal, pain-alleviating success for their advice about natural fixes for chronic pain. They have a myriad of suggestions for you.”
You can read about these approaches and more: gluten, acupuncture, eating real food (yay!), meditation, rolfing, proteolytic enzymes, the herbs White Willow and Devil’s Claw, MSM and arnica – all of which I have seen work with different people over the years. We are all unique and have to figure out what the root cause of our pain is and address it.
You can read the full article here
http://www.maxsportsandfitness.com/article/2011/9/natural-ways-of-dealing-with-chronic-pain.html
Hi Trudy,
I have experiencing a terrible back pain that travels from the neck to the middle back to the low back. then it turns into being dizzy. I have a lot of mouth sores and flares on my right cheek. The Herpes virus is very active in my body.
I tried the Gaba 500mg. it increased my anxiety. I decided to take 1/2 a capsule. I started taking lysine 500mg. it is helpful. Can I take higher dosage of the Lysine?
I am very careful with what I eat.
Your comments are really appreciated.
Hi Trudy.. Do you know what causes this type of pain?… body is achy, hurts to touch body, its like the body is sensitive to touch, it really hurts & is not normal, have not done anything to cause body to hurt. could it be a gluten intolerant symptom? could it be a hypersensitive brain sensing pain for no reason? thanks. any info much appreciated.