Pain Management, No Laughing Matter… Or Is It?

With out a doubt, pain management has become the hot topic in today’s health care arena. It is estimated that over 85 million Americans suffer from some type of chronic pain. Pharmaceutical companies have developed powerful drugs to bring “relief” to those suffering with chronic pain. The problem is these powerful narcotics merely “mask” the symptoms and once the effect wears off, the pain returns. Is it any wonder that people suffering from debilitating pain would become addicted to these drugs?

Oxycontin, a highly addictive narcotic (opiate) “pain killer,” has captured the tabloids with countless stories of celebrity addictions, sting operations, prominent doctors being arrested for “back door” illegal drug sales and the closing of several pain clinics in Florida and other states.

As a “natural” health advocate, my heart breaks for anyone experiencing pain or disease. However, I am in favor of a non-narcotic, non-steroidal approach to pain management with the emphasis on finding a cure instead of a crutch. The following supplements have all shown promise in alleviating chronic pain at a fraction of the cost of prescription drugs.

• Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Methylsulfonylmethane
• Nopal Cactus
• Diatomaceous Earth (Organic Silica)
• Collagen Type 2
• Coral calcium
• Guggul

Along with supplementation, there are some tried and true methods of therapy that I highly recommend:

• Chiropractic care
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Cupping
• Hydro Therapy
• Infared Sauna

By this time you may be thinking, “I’ve tried every one of these suggestions and I don’t feel any different.” Well, read on. I have a couple more methods up my sleeve that won’t fail!

MUSIC THERAPY

As a professional musician and songwriter, I have first hand experienced of the powerful effect music has upon the soul (thought, will and emotions). One single note can bring someone to tears or provoke them to anger.

Since the beginning of recorded history, music has been an integral part of culture. From wars to worship, we find music playing a major role in history. Truth be told, you would be hard pressed to find to many places without it!

Music sings in elevators and fills the ears of procrastinators. Face it, whether you are a hacker, a slacker or a Green Bay packer, music is the soundtrack of your life.

Music is so important to us that once Apple (thanks, Steve Jobs) created the iPod, it quickly became the best selling device of all time. Why the popularity?

Convenience. People want to have a world of entertainment in a hand held device.  When polled, what did Americans say was most important to them? Their music!

I have seen people completely healed after being exposed to music. I am happy to report that doctors and health care practitioners alike are beginning to sing the praises of music therapy.

When I did my research, I realized that some practitioners used music as the sole modality for healing, while others combined it with other types of treatment. Here are just a few of the benefits practitioners saw when music therapy was applied:

• Anxiety and stress reduction
• Non-pharmacological management of pain and discomfort
• Positive changes in mood and emotional states
• Active and positive patient participation in treatment
• Decreased length of treatment when music was added

I cannot stress the importance of music therapy. If you investigate the medicines often prescribed in most pain management protocols, you will be horrified by the list of side-effects. If you investigate music therapy, you will be delighted by its side-effects: healing, happiness and hope!

When I was asked to write on the topic “pain management,” I was both excited and concerned. I was excited because I have a vast knowledge of the condition and the myriad of treatments available. Concerned because I have a vast knowledge of the condition and the myriad of treatments available! I can only “scratch the surface” in this article. Perhaps, a book may follow!

Why does music therapy work?  Music is frequency and everything has a resonant frequency. For example, the musical note “A” is actually 440hz. 440hz has a sound generated by frequency, the note A!

Every cell, organ and atom responds and resonates when a note or combination of notes with a corresponding frequency are played. Thus, when subjected to music, our physiology is affected both internally and externally. That’s right, music affects us inside and out!

We are just now beginning to discover the amazing benefits of music therapy, yet music has been with us since the beginning of time. The Bible, for example, often speaks of music.

Let’s examine a verse from the Old Testament, 1 Chronicles 15:16,

“Then David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their relatives, the singers, with instruments of music, harps, lyres, high sounding cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.”

This is King David, the primary author of the greatest songbook ever compiled, the Book of Psalms.  It is interesting to note that even reading the Bible’s Book of Psalms (songs) has a therapeutic effect on the body. The most common effect reported is joy and peace instead of depression and anxiety.

It is also noteworthy to mention here that Bible history tells us (1 Samuel 16:14) that when King Saul was tormented, David was asked to play psalms upon his 10 stringed harp. The result? David’s music brought peace to the King and an end to his torment. I will be sharing much more on this subject in the future, so stay tuned.

LAUGHTER THERAPY

Try to recall the last time you had a really good laugh…I mean a rip-snorting, gut-busting kind of a laugh. How did you feel afterwards? That’s an easy one! YOU FELT GREAT! Laughter therapy is quickly becoming a commonly accepted modality in modern health care. Here are just a few benefits of laughter therapy:

• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s “feel good” chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being, as well as relieving pain.
• Laughter decreases cortisol, a powerful stress hormone, as well as increasing infection-fighting antibodies, thus bolstering the immune system.
• Laughter calms the body, relieving stress and relaxing muscles. After a good laugh, the effect can linger up to 45 minutes!
• Laughter strengthens the heart by increasing blood flow and improving the integrity of blood vessels, thus decreasing he probability of a heart attack or other cardiovascular issues.

I think you will find the following “factoid” extremely interesting: People who laugh are much healthier than those who don’t.

Dr. Lee Berk at the Loma Linda School of public health in California found that laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system. Six-year-olds have it best; they laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day.

Let’s do the math! If at age six you laugh 300 times a day and your immune system is at its peak, then you grow into adulthood with a compromised immune system and you only laugh 15 to 100 times a day. What is the solution? Laughter! Uproarious, side-splitting laughter!

We have greatly underestimated the healing power of laughter. Part of the reason that laughter was ignored for years in the medical field is simple: it is free! Plus, you don’t have to be trained to administer the therapy.

My favorite “side-effect” of laughter is its contagious nature. Even if you are in the foulest of moods, someone laughing next to you can immediately flip your switch and send you into hysterical laughter! But once again, laughter therapy is nothing new, just sadly overlooked.

If we look at the Bible once more, we will find scriptures that confirm a childlike nature, like Matthew 18:2,

“For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, ‘I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom.”

Children are simple and they laugh a lot. Adults are complex and they take things a little too serious. I would much rather be a healthy simpleton than a sickly genius! Is laughter therapy is mentioned in the Bible? You bet. Proverbs 17:22,

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

The title of this article is, “Pain Management, No Laughing Matter… Or Is It?” Maybe now you know why. People who laugh a lot, live a lot.

The Bible puts it best: 3 John 1:2,

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and prosperity, even as your soul prospers.”

That is my prayer for you today, dear reader.  I am sure I can speak for everyone at Barton publishing when I say there are three things you can do to immediately begin the healing process: live, love and laugh… a lot!

By the way, since my two favorite modalities for healing are music and laughter, someone who does both would have quite a gift indeed.

If you need a jumpstart right now, I highly recommend Tim Hawkins. You can find him on youtube.com and at: www.timhawkins.net

Cheers!

What music do you turn to cheer you up?  How do you get your laughs going? Let the healing begin!