Unmasking Chronic Pain’s HIDDEN Threat
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 26, 2024
If you suffer from chronic pain, chances are you often feel isolated.
But the reality is, as of 2021, more than 51 million (or 1 in 5) Americans were battling this type of enduring pain. So, you’re FAR from alone.
Your risk rises with age. Twenty-seven percent of adults aged 45 to 64 have experienced chronic pain.
But 34 percent of Americans 85 or older have suffered from this long-lasting agony.
And now researchers are sounding a new alarm, warning that losing your quality of life could be just the start of your troubles.
When chronic pain is left unaddressed, another shocking consequence can occur. And it’s a silent threat… at least at first.
Regardless of the root cause of your pain, such as back, knee, or nerve, new research reveals your BRAIN could be at risk.
It may sound like it’s something straight out of a sci-fi thriller, but a shocking study found that chronic pain can fast-forward brain aging and erode your precious memories.
In fact, over 40 percent of the world’s population who suffer from chronic pain battle this sort of brain damage—even if most don’t know it.
Imagine going about your day when a sharp twinge in your knee suddenly stops you in your tracks.
You brush it off, thinking it’s just a temporary annoyance. Little do you know that the pesky pain will be hanging around for a LONG time… or that it’s secretly scheming to accelerate your brain aging.
For the groundbreaking study of more than 9,000 people with knee osteoarthritis, researchers developed a model to compare a person’s brain age to their chronological age.
They quickly uncovered a troubling connection between long-term pain and memory loss. Even worse, the arthritis sufferer’s brains aged faster than those who didn’t battle chronic pain.
The hippocampus, a section of the brain that helps store memories, takes the biggest hit during this accelerated aging process.
And we don’t have to look far for the trigger. People with chronic musculoskeletal pain have higher inflammatory markers, and inflammation is at the heart of brain aging and cognitive decline.
This is a wake-up call to STOP ignoring chronic pain and do something about it. Make an appointment to talk with your doctor about your options.
In the meantime, the following are some drug-free ways to help you dial down your chronic pain AND put the brakes on brain aging.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity reduces pain by strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and increasing endorphin levels.
- Yoga and stretching: Gentle yoga poses and stretching exercises can alleviate muscle tension, improve circulation, and reduce chronic pain.
- Acupuncture: This traditional Chinese medicine technique involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain and promote healing.
- Massage therapy: Massaging sore muscles and joints can help reduce pain, improve circulation, and promote relaxation.
- Hot and cold therapy: Applying heat relaxes tense muscles and improves blood flow, while cold therapy can numb pain and reduce inflammation.
- Herbal remedies: Certain herbs, including turmeric, ginger, and Boswellia, have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce chronic pain.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish, or taking supplements can reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
- Capsaicin: Topical creams or patches containing capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers, can relieve chronic pain by desensitizing nerve endings.
- Adequate sleep: Getting enough quality sleep allows your body to repair and recover, reducing chronic pain.
You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) live with chronic pain and its devastating consequences. Commit to finding solutions to relieve yours.
P.S. Check out this WEIRD ear trick that’s proven to EASE pain. (No pills!)
Source:
Lei Zhao, Jiao Liu, Wenhui Zhao, et al., Morphological and genetic decoding shows heterogeneous patterns of brain aging in chronic musculoskeletal pain, Nature Mental Health, Volume 2, April 2024, 435-449, [doi. org /10. 1038 /s44220-024-00223-3]
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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