Some patients just don’t want to take NSAIDs anymore…or ever…but they do want something to control their pain due to inflammation. Moriarty Chiropractic excitedly shares a natural approach using curcumin and turmeric.

Often taken for pain relief for conditions like osteoarthritis (1), NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may affect takers in different ways. Moriarty Chiropractic hear from many patients who struggle with pain meds, their effectiveness or lack thereof, and adverse side-effects. A couple of new studies about curcumin or turmeric (aka ginger) will excite our Nashua pain patients as these natural substances may be an answer.

One report shares that patients reach a new pain threshold marker called PASS (Patient Acceptable Symptom State) with curcumin. With PASS, patients reported satisfaction that their pain was sufficiently relieved. It wasn’t totally gone, but it was now tolerable with curcumin. And as a bonus, they didn’t report the side-effects that often accompanied their taking NSAIDs. (3)

Curcumin is said to improve chronic constriction caused by neuropathic pain. The researchers explain the more complex gene expression and activation in the spinal cord and its dorsal root ganglia. Moriarty Chiropractic just wants our Nashua patients to know that adding curcumin to the diet may be pain-relieving.

The curcuminoids are natural phenols, giving turmeric its yellow color. It’s best known as a spice and a main component in curry powder. In India and other parts of Asia, turmeric is used to treat many health conditions. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and perhaps even anti-cancer properties. It may help to reduce inflammation and pain due to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, great news for our Nashua back pain patients. (2)

Turmeric might also be medicinal. (2) Based on lab studies alone, it may

• block the growth of certain kinds of tumors. One study showed that turmeric extract containing curcumin could -- in some cases -- stabilize colorectal cancer that wasn't helped by other treatments. But more research is certainly needed.
• protect against types of skin diseases, Alzheimer's disease, colitis, stomach ulcers, and high cholesterol.
• help treat upset stomach, scabies, diabetes, HIV, uveitis, and viral infections.

So how much turmeric should you take? There is no standard dosage yet. Ask about what's right for you at your next chiropractic visit to Moriarty Chiropractic. Is it safe? It is generally, but talk with your Nashua chiropractor about your specific situation before adding it to your daily dietary regimen.

Contact Moriarty Chiropractic today to discuss your dietary approach to reducing inflammation.