October 2005

Alternative strategies for pain relief

The recent FDA withdrawals of Bextra and Vioxx are prompting many consumers to search out safe alternatives for coping with arthritis and chronic back pain.

* Recent data presented at the American Pain Society meeting compares skin-patch therapy to the prescription drug Celebrex in relieving pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.

The study found that Lidoderm, a transdermal lidocaine patch, may be as effective as Celebrex in improving average daily pain intensity. Because it is nonsystemic, Lidoderm has little risk of side effects or drug interactions. The patch delivery system is becoming more popular in several disease areas, including overactive bladder and hypertension. The patch is also being studied in the treatment of diabetes. This is the first time that patch therapy has been compared to a COX-2 inhibitor.

* Pluronic Lecithin Organogel is a prescription product available at compounding pharmacies. Anti-inflammatory agents can be mixed into the gel and rubbed on painful sites. It is an organic base that is used as a vehicle for the absorption of medications through the skin. As a result, the compounded gel has no side effects for the most part.

* Arthritis sufferers with daily access to a swimming pool might consider The Berson water exercise program. The self-help video demonstrates a series of 35 stretching movements that helped Berson overcome crippling arthritis pain. The gentle exercises are designed to relax and strengthen joint muscles.

* Flower Essence
Physical therapy helped a bit but the pain persisted. She went to flower essence therapist Linda Cohen in NY, who says she prescribed a mixture of Star of Bethlehem, for the release of shock and trauma, Self Heal to stimulate healing and awareness, arnica to release toxic energy trapped in a body part, echinacea for sudden jolts or accidents and dandelion for the release of muscular tension. ''Most people use flower essences to alleviate anxiety-related pain,'' Cohen explains.

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