by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.
A man asked,
Is there anything that is not ototoxic that I can take for pain?
A woman queried,
What is a good pain-killer alternative to take since all pain-killer drugs are known to be ototoxic to some degree?
There are a number of pain-killing drugs available, but as you have discovered, they all have nasty side effects (including ototoxic side effects). Furthermore, taking pain-killers doesn’t address the cause of your pain. As a result, you have to take them long-term.
The good news is that God made a number of natural pain-killers for us to use.
For example, I was just reading a recent article that showed that proper levels of testosterone in your blood act as a good pain-killer in men (and also in women). (1) Now here’s the kicker—taking opioid pain-killers such as Hydrocodone deplete testosterone in your blood. Thus, when you try to get off of such drugs, your pain is even worse because you suppressed one of your body’s natural pain-killers (not to mention messing up other body functions). As a result, it is ever so much better not to get hooked on such drugs in the first place.
Here are 12 alternate medicine practices Dr. Mercola recommends that you may want to try in order to help relieve your pain.
1. Make drugs your last resort for pain, not your first line of attack. This is the most common mistake most people (and doctors) make. The truth is that many of the people succumbing to drug overdoses didn’t start out with the idea of becoming “druggies”. Rather, they started out innocently trying to control their pain by taking the pain-killers their doctors prescribed. They would have been far better off if their doctors had worked to determine what was really triggering their pain, and then addressed the underlying cause rather than drugging their symptoms away.
2. Try the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), which is a drug-free approach for pain management of all kinds. “EFT borrows from the principles of acupuncture, in that it helps you balance out your subtle energy system. The good news is that the EFT helps resolve underlying, often subconscious, negative emotions that may be making your physical pain worse. By stimulating (tapping) well-established acupuncture points with your fingertips, you re-balance your energy system, which tends to dissipate pain.” (2) “The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) works very effectively for relieving headache pain.” (3) You can learn about the Emotional Freedom Technique here.
3. Consider Astaxanthin. “Astaxanthin is one of the most effective fat (oil)-soluble antioxidants known. It has very potent anti-inflammatory properties and in many cases works far more effectively than many anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Higher doses are typically required and you may need 8 mg or more per day to achieve this benefit.” (2)
4. Try Ginger. Ginger also is a “potent anti-inflammatory and offers pain relief and stomach-settling properties. Fresh ginger works well steeped in boiling water as a tea or grated into vegetable juice.” (2)
5. Give Curcumin a try. Curcumin is the primary therapeutic compound identified in the spice turmeric. Curcumin has been shown in over 50 clinical studies to have potent anti-inflammatory activity. (3) In one “study of osteoarthritis patients, those who added 200 mg of Curcumin a day to their treatment plan had reduced pain and increased mobility.” (2) Another study found that “a turmeric extract composed of curcuminoids blocked inflammatory pathways, effectively preventing the launch of a protein that triggers swelling and pain.” (2)
6. Consider Boswellia. Boswellia is also known as boswellin or “Indian frankincense”. “This herb contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which have been prized for thousands of years.” (3) Dr. Mercola notes, “This is one of my personal favorites as I have seen it work well with many rheumatoid arthritis patients.” (2)
7. Look into Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO). “CMO oil, found in fish and dairy butter, acts as a “joint lubricant” and an anti-inflammatory. (2) Dr. Mercola explains, “I have used this as a topical preparation myself to relieve ganglion cysts and a mild annoying carpal tunnel syndrome that pops up when I type too much on non-ergonomic keyboards.” (3)
8. Investigate Krill Oil: “The omega-3 fats EPA and DHA contained in krill oil have been found by many animal and clinical studies to have anti-inflammatory properties.” (2)
9. Use Bromelain. “This protein-digesting enzyme, found in pineapples, is a natural anti-inflammatory. It can be taken in supplement form but eating fresh pineapple may also be helpful.” (2) “Keep in mind that most of the Bromelain is found within the core of the pineapple, so consider leaving a little of the pulpy core intact when you consume the fruit.” (4)
10. Try Evening Primrose, Black Currant and Borage Oils. “These plant oils contain the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which is useful for treating arthritic pain.” (2)
11. Use Cayenne Cream. Cayenne cream is also called capsaicin cream. “This spice comes from dried hot peppers. It alleviates pain by depleting the body’s supply of substance P, a chemical component of nerve cells that transmits pain
signals to your brain.” (2)
12. Investigate K Laser therapy. “K Laser therapy treatment helps reduce pain and inflammation and enhances tissue healing—both in hard and soft tissues, including muscles, ligaments, and even bones. It increases oxygenation of tissues and allows injured or damaged cells to absorb photons of light, which speeds healing.” (3)
In addition, think outside of the box. Try things such as yoga, osteopathic (chiropractic) manipulation, (4) acupuncture, meditation, hot and cold packs, and even holding hands. These can also result in astonishing pain relief without any drugs.” (2)
________
(1) Treating Low Testosterone May Relieve Pain. Bottom Line Publications.
(2) Prescription Drug Death. Mercola.com.
(3) Acetaminophen Skin Reaction. Mercola.com.
(4) Osteopathic Manipulation. Mercola.com.
Kelly Villalobos says
Neil please help! What can i take for persistent headaches. I’ve had one for 3 days. With my newly developed tinnitus I haven’t been getting much sleep. I need something that will work good for tension/tmj type headaches. Also, anything for neck pain?!!? Please help!
Neil Bauman, Ph.D. says
Hi Kelly:
Rather that TAKING something for headaches, I think you need to DO something for them. Obviously, you have anxiety, stress and tension in your life that reflects in your body. Hence the tension headaches, TMJ tightness and neck pain.
There are basically two solutions. The first is to learn to relax. You need to carve out some “me” time and practice relaxation techniques. That will go a long ways to reducing tension in your body, and hopefully your headaches and other pains. Seeing a massage therapist for relaxing massages is another thing that can help you.
However, if your headaches, TMJ problems and neck pain are the result of your upper neck vertebrae being out of proper alignment, then seeing an upper cervical chiropractor may be your best bet. This may be the underlying cause of your problems. The only way to know is to go and find out.
I suggest you investigate treatment from a special kind of chiropractor that specializes in the upper cervical spine (UCS). These people are able to work wonders for certain ailments and they are very gentle–not the bone cracker kind. They focus mostly on your top two vertebra (C1 (Atlas) & C2 (Axis). If this joint is “off” then you could have some of the symptoms you are experiencing.
You can find a chiropractor specializing in UCS by going to the following URL and entering your location. You can also read about the things these special chiropractors can do for you at this same website. Here is the URL.
http://www.upcspine.com/
Choose the “Practitioners” link along the top to find the one closest to you.
Probably a combination of relaxation, massage and upper cervical chiropractic would be a good for you.
Cordially,
Neil
Jacinda says
Hi Neill
Have you heard of the drug Mesalazine (Mesalisine) causing tinnitus? I suffer from Pulsatile Tinnitus and have had tests to rule out other reasons.
Neil Bauman, Ph.D. says
Hi Jacinda:
Yes Mesalamine is listed as causing tinnitus in numbers of people.
If you have pulsatile tinnitus (in unison with your heartbeat) I wouldn’t think Mesalamine would be the cause as pulsatile is related to circulatory (blood flow) problems and as far as I know, Mesalamine is unlikely to affect blood flow.
Cordially,
Neil
Sam says
Hi Neil,
I have broken 5 bones in my foot and have severe pain. The worst I’ve ever had. I refused meds initially due to concern of worsening my tinnitus, but this left me in agony and having to get IV morphine.
My current options are either tramadol or oxycodone.
I would be taking the lowest dose possible. I’ve also been given the option to use both and cycle between the two drugs. Do you know which is least ototoxic?
Neil Bauman, Ph.D. says
Hi Sam:
Given just those two choices and in relation to tinnitus, I’d tend to go with the Tramadol as it has the edge over Oxycodone, but there really isn’t a whole lot of difference between them as regards tinnitus.
Are you going to be taking pure Tramadol or Oxycondone, or in combination with Acetaminophen? The easy way to tell is if the brand name ends in “cet” Acetaminophen is added. Personally, I’d go with the pure drug without any Acetaminophen added.
I don’t have an opinion about cycling between them. How would this be helpful?
Cordially,
Neil
Sam says
Thanks for your response.
In what way do you mean tramadol has the advantage over the oxycodone? In their pure forms what would you rate them in terms of ototoxicity?
I will be taking the pure form. Is acetaminophen also ototoxic? I thought this was a safer drug. I mustn’t know much about it.
The doctor thought this may be better as the level of each drug in my system will be lower and will not build up as much. It’s only short term (2 weeks max)
Neil Bauman, Ph.D. says
Hi Sam:
Tramadol has an advantage over Oxycodone in that there are fewer reports of tinnitus and hearing loss per prescription issued.
I don’t have separate statistics on them with and without acetaminophen but I daresay that most prescriptions are for the combination drug, because, as you say, that way they can get the same results with a lower dose of the narcotic.
Acetaminophen is quite ototoxic when taken in higher doses and for longer periods of time. So taking it in lower doses and only occasionally lets you largely fly under the ototoxic radar.
In any case, take the lowest dose of whichever narcotic you choose (or both if you alternate them) that will do the job and take them for the shortest time necessary and you probably won’t have any problems with your tinnitus.
Cordially,
Neil
Dwayne Oxford says
Thanx for the options.
Cetyl Myristoleate is PRICEY!
I already use the ones my old bowel and skin will tolerate.
Neil Bauman, Ph.D. says
Hi Dwayne:
If none of those work for you, you might want to try using DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). It works wonderfully well for some kinds of pain for which nothing else works.
I got some for myself and am going to see if it will help with the pain I get in my leg and foot from a reptured disk that damaged the nerve some years ago.
DMSO was a wonder drug back in the 50’s and 60’s, then the drug was “blacklisted” as it was interfering with the profits from the pharmaceutical companies since it is so cheap and worked, and thus people did need their high-priced drugs.
Cordially,
Neil