"Although previous trials have shown homeopathy may help patients with rheumatoid arthritis, this is the first time that we have scientific evidence that these benefits are specifically due to its unique consultation process," observes lead author Dr. Sarah Brien, a senior research fellow in complementary medicine at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom.

The people in this British study, published in the journal Rheumatology, received conventional treatment for their arthritis as well as homeopathy consultations.

"Homeopathic consultations differ from those in conventional medicine in that homeopaths focus on treating the patient, whereas conventional doctors tend to treat the illness. The homeopathic consultation process improves the health of these arthritis patients based on standard rheumatology measurements and does so safely and without side effects,” said Brien.

"When doctors write that prescription for steroids and they’re sending the patients for lab tests, they should also get the vitamin D level measured," said study lead author Amy Skversky, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of pediatrics at Einstein.

Back Pain Redux

Recurring, chronic back pain is nobody’s friend, although it offers a tough-love educational experience. In the search for relief, this type of pain can too often lead to drug addiction, depression, disability and many more problems if you let it get out of control. But you have to remember that neck pain, upper back pain, low back pain and tail bone discomfort can each have quite different causes. Consequently, each comes with its own lesson.

I became an uncomfortably close friend to low back pain during my college years. In those days, I was a constant athlete. I was a competitive swimmer from age 5 to 13. Then I got serious about tennis, football, basketball, skiing and distance running. During all those activities, I never had a problem with my low back until the beginning of my first year at Brigham Young University (BYU).

I distinctly recall my first low back strain. I had arrived at BYU after a long drive from the San Francisco area. I started unloading my personal items, including some fairly heavy boxes, from my car. Suddenly, I felt a deep and sharp pulling pain in my low back (without radiation to my lower extremities) that stopped me in my tracks for a few moments. Initially, the pain was not disabling, so I did not think much of it. I continued lifting boxes, not knowing I was making my condition worse with each box.

Inflammation Hits The Back

The inflammation started in my lumbosacral spine area, but it was not until hours after lifting boxes that the stiffness and pain became seriously intense. That evening, I felt like I had aged decades, reduced to cautious walking and very careful sitting or bending. The stiffness and pain continued for several more days. I used the conventional treatment of icing my back 15 minutes before bedtime, heating it in the morning and taking 800 mg of Ibuprofen twice daily to dull the pain. Within days, the pain stopped.

For me, this has been a common scenario — my recurring low back strain is only a temporary hindrance. It heals within just a few days if I just go easy on bending and lifting and remain patient. At those times, though, I ponder more deeply the possible psycho-emotional causes of my discomfort. What financial stress am I under? What worries or fears do I harbor?  Do I trust that I am supported in my life?  It always helps to take an honest look at myself and shift my attitudes. As Louise L. Hay, author of You Can Heal Your Life, writes, “The back represents our support system. Problems with the back usually mean we feel we are not being supported. Too often we think we are only supported by our job or by our family or spouses. In reality we are totally supported by the universe, by Life itself.”

In my case, I am grateful that I can heal quickly and return to normal functions rapidly. My back problem provides me with a fresh new perspective on health. I get back into stretching, strengthening and an active lifestyle. Within two weeks, I’m as good as new as well as re-motivated to keep fit and to eat for longevity and not just pleasure. I also contemplate more seriously what I am doing for others in this world.

Pain That Lingers

For some, however, back pain can be chronic, and last longer than three months. Occasionally, the pain is linked to infection or cancer, but these cause less than 2 percent of chronic back pain. Rather, back issues almost always stem from a musculoskeletal problem that involves compressed nerves. Such nerves are trapped by subluxations (slipped vertebral bones), disc herniation (material between vertebral bones), strained muscles themselves or degenerative arthritis of particular bones. These irritated nerves then fire pain impulses.

Take neck pain for example. Neck pain can result from irritating interactions among the top vertebrae on the spine and the neck as well as their articulation with the base of the skull. Nerves can become irritated anywhere along their pathway from the spinal cord out to the peripheral joints and surrounding cartilage, ligaments, tendons and muscles. There’s a lot that can malfunction and lead to pain.

Headaches

Neck pain can give rise to headaches, too. For example, your typical tension headache of the forehead or temple area originates in a strained or irritated neck. This is because the nerves that run through all these muscles and connective tissues are interrelated. I have heard from many of my own patients that the best chiropractic results for neck pains and/or headaches are the simple and gentle realignment of the top two vertebrae on the spinal column with what are called NUCCA procedures. These are noninvasive chiropractic techniques endorsed by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).

Thoracic, lumbar and even tail bone pains almost always originate from a problem of the spinal column and the associated nerve roots that emerge from the spinal cord. Resolution of these problems is not as straightforward as dealing with neck pain. The weight-bearing joints of the spine can become diseased from the prolonged consumption of a poor diet, emotional stress and physical injury.

Healing Is More Than Banishment Of Pain

Certainly, when back pain won’t go away, you must consider how to effectively heal the underlying difficulties and not only how to quell the pain. For example, when arthritis causes chronic back aches, the use of narcotic pain relievers is not your best solution. Narcotics dull your brain, cause constipation and can lead to addictive cravings for the high feelings they create. After a short time, narcotics up-regulate the sensation of pain so that, when you are off them, your pain is even more unbearable. I have seen this type of situation even lead to drug dealing or use of highly addictive drugs in patients. Narcotic use for pain relief is a typical first step to drug addiction.

Instead, consider the benefits of yoga exercises and diet. Yoga poses help you regain flexibility and boost circulation to supporting musculoskeletal structures. Yoga meditations help you appreciate that your body temple needs to be honored with a diet of mostly raw whole food nutrition. it also helps you recognize that the body suffers from soft drinks, refined sugar, dairy products, fried food, processed food and all other junk foods that clearly contribute to chronic inflammation. Massage therapy and chiropractic interventions are often necessary to promote healing, too.

Other successful recipes for soothing chronic back pain combine daily traction (with a calibrated mechanical table or a home inversion table), stretching, exercise, excellent nutrition and a positive mental-emotional focus. Even disc herniation can eventually heal, much like a sprained ankle repairs itself if you treat it right. New tissue forms and nerves gradually become less and less irritated.

Comparisons

Compare this type of healing, conservative approach to back pain with surgical intervention. The main surgeries for disc herniation and spinal stenosis include a discectomy (removal of fragments of a herniated disc), spinal fusion and a laminectomy (removal of spinal bone). Contrary to what spine surgical centers claim, a 2009 review of back surgery studies reported in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Spine found that surgery is only moderately more effective than conservative, non-surgical treatments, and that the benefits of surgery usually decline eventually.¹

Lessons To Learn From Back Pain

What can back pain teach you? First of all, take a look at your own psycho-emotional challenges. What are you not dealing with that needs looking after? Healing from back pain is definitely impeded by worries, fears or other emotional issues that need to be addressed.

Next, consider what this pain teaches you about yourself. For example, do you turn to pain pills immediately, or do you have the confidence to work through the pain and take responsibility to get on the active road to healing? Instead of growing more resentful and ill-tempered with others, let the pain show you the value of being more appreciative and patient with those around you.

In the years that have followed my college years I have had many sudden and unexpected episodes of low back strain. Each one is a wake-up call to my own path of health and happiness. For this, I am thankful and healthier.

To your continued health and learning,

Michael Cutler, M.D.
Author, Easy Health Options

Consider these case histories and see if they don’t convince you of the importance of dealing with dental pathology.

Arthritis Pain

Sam C. was a 10-year-old boy with a diagnosis of severe JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). He struggled to walk due to the pain and arthritis that afflicted his major and minor joints. His doctors offered him treatment with high doses of corticosteroids and gave him a poor prognosis, predicting stunted growth and early death. His mother took him to a chiropractor who recognized that his arthritis started when he had an upper right tooth root canal with a stainless steel crown.

His mother went back to the dentist who had performed the root canal. This dentist refused to extract the tooth because he could not find anything abnormal on his X-rays, and the boy denied any pain in the tooth, surrounding bone or gums. Two more dentists were consulted and both also refused to extract the tooth.

In February 2011, they consulted with Wendell Robertson, D.D.S. Robertson realized that the boy indeed did have dental pain but was in denial. He advised having the tooth extracted, and the socket thoroughly curetted and sterilized with ozone. In two days after this procedure, the tooth pain ended. The arthritic symptoms gradually eased and are now nearly completely gone except when he sprints or takes part in other strenuous exercises.

Seeing The Light

Dan M. was completely blind in August 2011 when he went to Dr. Robertson for dental work. Dan had two teeth extracted and two large mercury-alloy fillings properly removed. Two weeks later, he returned for a follow-up visit and reported he could see blurry outlines of windows and doorways and movement of large objects. A few weeks later, he successfully mowed his lawn with much less difficulty than before.

Although Dan is still seeking a complete cure of his blindness, he has had a near cure after his dental extractions. Further detoxification and cleansing may likely further improve his vision.

Cane Scrutiny

Samantha H. described her hip pain as feeling “like it is out of joint.” But her orthopedist could find nothing wrong on an MRI. Consequently, she was prescribed only pain medication. Samantha was using a cane when she went to Robertson for dental work. After two and a half hours of dental surgery to remove a benign lesion of chronic localized sclerosing osteomyelitis, Samantha could walk without her cane and hasn’t used it since. 

No Growth

Brandon, age 10, came to Robertson for dental work in hopes it could help alleviate his lack of growth. Robertson placed what is called an epigenetic orthodontic appliance in Brandon’s mouth. This device is intended to encourage undifferentiated bone stem cells to grow in parts of the bone plate of the upper mouth.

The appliance created space in the jaw bone. Brandon wore the appliance and began growing taller at the rate of one inch each month for four months. Robertson explains that the appliance relaxed the lower facial bones and allowed for normal pituitary function (inside the skull). The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone and other hormones important for the body’s development.

Late Expectations

These patients did not expect the wonderful results they got from being treated by a biological dentist. But when biological dentistry is combined with proper detoxification and cleansing, you may be able to combat a surprising number of chronic illnesses. Robertson’s clinic website is at www.robertsonbiologicaldentistry.com. You can visit http://www.holisticdental.org/find_holistic_dentist to locate a biological (holistic) dentist near you.

To your health discovery,

Michael Cutler, M.D.
Author, Easy Health Options

They Don’t Ask, They Can’t Tell

Very few general medical practitioners ever ask about the health of their patients’ teeth. Hardly any oncologists ask whether their cancer patients have root canals or mercury amalgam fillings. As a result, most medical doctors steer clear of making recommendations about dental health. When you visit the doctor and are asked to stick out your tongue for a health exam, it is only to look at your throat.

In Western medicine, we have severed the perception of connections between dental health and overall physical well-being. As a result, we have lost a critical vantage point for evaluating the potential root causes of many life-threatening conditions such as cancer, heart disease, immune disorders and more. The good news is this lifesaving integrative perspective is proving its value through the cutting edge field of holistic, or biological, dentistry.

Regular Dentistry vs. Holistic (Biological) Dentistry

Most conventional dentists are only dimly aware of connections between gum disease, chronic dental infection and overall health. Dentists rarely refer you back to your doctor for further testing or give more than the fairly superficial, though important, advice about brushing, flossing and diet. On the other hand, holistic dentistry takes an in-depth look at dental and overall health, guided by leading research in the field. In particular, holistic dentistry looks hard at the relationship between conventional root canals, periodontal disease, mercury amalgam fillings and other all-too-common dental issues and the progression of any number of chronic diseases throughout the body.

In traditional medical systems, such as Chinese and Tibetan medicine, the examination of the mouth and tongue represents a primary diagnostic tool for gathering information about imbalances in the rest of the body. Today, more and more skilled holistic practitioners and dentists are working together within the field of integrative medicine to collaborate on optimal treatment programs for patients. The holistic dentistry movement is gaining a widening appreciation of the holistic perspectives implicit in traditional healing systems and is being driven by the growing body of published research linking dental health issues and chronic illness. Repeatedly, patients with serious, life-threatening illnesses have experienced dramatic health improvements after skilled holistic dentists have coordinated their evaluations and treatments with integrative health practitioners.

Dental Health Linked To Cancer

Of special importance is the link between cancer and dental health. This is an area on the cutting edge of cancer investigation, and scientists have not yet agreed whether there is a direct cause. From a clinical standpoint, however, I, along with many of my colleagues, have seen time and again that there is a strong correlation between chronic infection associated with root canals and the presence of cancer.

Even more interesting, from an integrative medical perspective, each tooth has associated acu-meridian tooth-organ relationships. (In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is home to lines of force — acu-meridians also known as acupuncture meridians — that connect various organs.) Different acupuncture meridians run through the teeth, and specific organs and tissues are associated with each tooth. A chart developed by Dr. Ralph Wilson which you can see here outlines the relationship between each tooth and its associated organs, glands and body areas.

Infected Root Canals Often Don’t Show Symptoms

The most concerning finding in holistic dentistry is that extensive infection can be present in a root canal as well as the bone of the jaw which holds the tooth, in the absence of any direct symptoms. All too often, we rely on our subjective experience of symptoms (like pain) to warn us of problems. In this case, these warnings come usually after significant damage is done, so it is crucial to get proper dental evaluation and testing with regard to root canals and periodontal disease.

At Amitabha Medical Clinic, we refer our patients with root canals for what is called a cone beam scan, which is essentially a CT (or computed tomography) scan of the mouth. A cone beam scan produces 3D digitalized imagery on the computer screen, revealing details which a classic full mouth X-ray does not detect. These scans can tell practitioners whether there is chronic infection in the root of a tooth which needs to be addressed using careful and thorough methods. I encourage my cancer patients to limit the number of CT scans they have because of issues with cumulative radiation; but if you have root canals, the cone beam scan may be the only way to evaluate them. I think it’s worth doing, and the radiation exposure is much lower than a traditional CT. The truth is, the dental profession is largely ignoring the long-term effects of the root canal procedure. For this reason, I encourage you to seek out holistic dentists who have the knowledge and the tools to help you deal with root canals and other common dental issues in a careful and competent way.

Patient Stories

The importance of addressing these types of health issues with an integrative approach are evident in these examples:

• A patient with Stage III colon cancer was found to have infection (with no symptoms) in the root canal associated with the colon. Upon further examination of old dental X-rays, it was found that the tooth had been cracked for many years prior to the root canal. Therefore, it most likely had been chronically infected for a long time prior to the root canal placement and before the colon cancer diagnosis.
• A patient with metastatic breast cancer (with no symptoms) and with several old root canals who was not responding well to her chemotherapy treatments was found to have occult infection in the tooth associated with the breast on the same side as the cancer. The bone above the tooth was almost completely destroyed; the tooth was barely connected. The infected teeth were removed and the area was sterilized with ozone, a specialized form of oxygen therapy. After clearing up the infection, the patient had a better response to the same chemotherapy regimen.
• A patient with endometrial (uterine) cancer who was not responding to treatment and whose surgical scar would not heal because of infection was found to have an extensive infection in the tooth associated with the uterus. She had no oral symptoms. When the tooth was removed, her surgical wound healed quickly, and she began to have a positive response to her chemotherapy regimen.

The Future of Integrative Cancer Therapy

As a health practitioner who specializes in integrative cancer care, I can cite numerous similar clinical examples highlighting the correlations I have seen between dental health and cancer, and the positive effects of clearing up chronic infections in the mouth. Even though we don’t yet understand all of the underlying mechanisms, we have enough evidence to recognize the seriousness and the importance of attention to this area of health. As more and more published research points to the connections between root canals, mercury amalgams, periodontal disease and chronic illnesses, I encourage all of my readers and patients to become familiar with this important area of integrative health. Stay tuned.