Ooops, I just reposted this to the Other Health board....

>>I have some torn ligaments in one knee that will require surgery to repair. For various reasons I can't have the surgery for a while so I have been managing the pain. I can mostly manage the pain with short series of anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and then being careful of how I use the knee afterwards. For the most part, when my knee becomes super painful I end up taking ibuprofen for a few days then I am ok for a couple weeks before I do something stupid to reinjure the knee.

I have never been a pill popper and I hate the idea of taking pills and ibuprofen, but living with that type of extreme knee pain is not an option.

Are there tried and true natural pain relievers that you would suggest?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/28/2008 12:02AM by RocketShip.

Hey Rocket,

Sorry to hear about that, hope you feel better soon. I would suggest wearing some kind of brace, if you're not already. As for natural pain relievers, the usual suspects seem to be best; dark green leafy vegetables. Try juicing broccoli, spinach and apple, for example. Finally, the mental aspect is quite important, maybe more so than you think. The perception of pain is largely a mental phenomenon, and you can change this to a large degree.

Cheers,
J

I'm sorry you're in pain, Rocket!

Are you sure it would require surgery, because I think surgery makes things worse sometimes.

I'd get it taken care of as soon as possible, because I think injuries like that can become arthritic when you get older, so you want to prevent that even if you are put out for a while. If I think of something else, I'll let you know.

Did you try homeopathics or aromatherapy? How about rubbing Tiger Balm on it. Also capsaicin cream.

[altmedicine.about.com]

What about an energy healer or acupressure. There's got to be a better way than surgery.

A comfrey poltice will help lots with the inflamation.
and reduce the pain. I have used them before with great results.
healing thoughts to you Rocket. with a torn ligament I dont think
you can get around the surgery. lots of vitiman C before the surgery,
and after, it speeds healing time



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/28/2008 12:54AM by riverhousebill.

RocketShip,

Comfrey and capsaicin topically(á la riverhousebill and Lois), sulfurous leafy greens internally(á la Jose), and lots of digestive enzymes[on an empty stomach] to help the pancreas heal you, beginning three days before surgery and continuing for a week after. Enzymedica makes good ones, though you may still consider this "pill popping," I don't. Good luck!

I forgot to mention - Anarnica for inflamation and pain and Saint Johnwort
extract oil for pain.
If you can use fresh comfrey, the comfrey will help in the healing also.

I was in mexico last month and sprained my back moving in a bad way,
and my mexican friend saw I was in pain and said one african bee or
two mexican bees on the area of pain, and it will help. I laughed and said
I know it is used for arthritis like in the knees, but did not know of this
advise. no bee shortage in baja mex, some fruit on the table and the bees
arived, he hit one african bee with a spoon just enough to stun not kill.
and picked it up by its back side and put the stinger to his finger tip
to show me nothing to it, one more african bee and stung on the sorest spot on
my back, 50% improvement from pain almost instant. also for the bee sting for
tender backs a slice of lime on the sting right after takes the sting away.
dont try this unless you know you are not going to react from the bee.
that advise was for two days one african bee a day or two mexican.

BEE PEACE



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/28/2008 09:19PM by riverhousebill.

I just remembered after reading bill's post --

I've read that Arnica Oil is great for healing pain.

[searchwidget.shopwiki.com]

Arnica Oil has antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, soothing and healing properties; aids in new tissue growth; eases discomforts of psoriasis; reduces swelling and bruising; facilitates healing after surgery; prevents infection; soothes irritated skin; reduces muscular spasm; facilitates healing of traumatic injury, sore strained joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons; lessens pain; and relieves postpartum discomfort.

Thanks everyone. I just bought a rub on ointment called Topricin and it has all natural ingredients including arnica. I sure hope it works. (It was super expensive so it had better work! LOL I will let you know how the knee feels in a couple days.)

I am curious... how do the leafy greens work? As pain killers or anti-inflammatories?

RocketShip,

Greens are antiinflammatories--all that sulfur! Very good for cellular healing!

Leafy greens have everything you can think of and more.

Beta-Carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin K are anti-inflammatory, as are Omega-3 fatty acids, all of which are found in dark green leafy vegetables. They also contain many phytochemicals which are anti-inflammatory. Apples contain substances like quercetin, another phytochemical which is anti-inflammatory.

There is more information here [www.nutritiondata.com] and here [www.inflammationfactor.com] .

I don't feel the above are entirely accurate, but they're a useful rough guide.

Cheers,
J

We use arnica a lot. My husband is always falling on the basketball court.

For an internal anti-inflammatory, there are homeopathic arnica pills and turmeric.

has no one mentioned pineapple? it's a great natural anti-inflammatory. yummy too!