By Julia Westbrook Improve your brain to stop the pain.
Protect your body from pain by beefing up your mind with yoga, according to research from the American Pain Society. The research found that the areas of the brain that are torn down by chronic pain are built up by yoga, likely due to the meditative aspects of the practice.
“Practicing yoga has the opposite effect on the brain as does chronic pain,” said M. Catherine Bushnell, PhD, scientific director of the Division of Intramural Research, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH.
Chronic pain has shown to cause brain damage in gray matter, which can lead to memory issues, emotional issues, and decreased cognitive functioning. Chronic pain is also a symptom of inflammation in the brain. “The inflammation causes reversible damage to the brain with a loss of gray matter and disruption in the normal functioning of the brain,” explains Gary Kaplan, DO, author of Total Recovery.
So, the logical solution: Fix the inflammation, fix your brain, and stop the pain.
Dr. Kaplan recommends meditation and yoga as effective ways to combat inflammation in his own practice. “If we could bottle the beneficial impacts yoga and meditation have on the body it would be the best-selling medication around,” he says.
Improved Coping With Inflammation
Dr. Kaplan says this meditative practice may address the root brain inflammation that causes pain. “We do not know the mechanism via which meditation and yoga protect the brain,” he says, “but since we know that both practices result in repair of the brain and growth of new gray matter, it is reasonable that both practices reduce inflammation. You cannot have brain tissue repair unless you shut down the inflammatory process.”
Reduced Suffering
While yoga doesn’t make people less sensitive to pain, yoga and meditation can help boost their resilience when it comes to dealing with their pain. While these practices don’t decrease your ability to feel pain, Dr. Kaplan says that previous research has found that they do improve the time of reactivity to pain and the emotional consequences of experiencing pain. “Both practices unquestionably can reduce the level of chronic pain and again reduce the emotional import of the pain, i.e. the suffering component,” he explains. “They allow you to ‘distance’ yourself from the pain and see it more objectively.”
Boosted Resiliency
Your ability to deal isn’t just a matter of will—it might be a matter of your brain, too. “There are several studies that look at insula mass interrelationship to resilience,” says Dr. Kaplan. “If yoga is also increasing the insula mass, then we might also expect people doing yoga on a regular basis to have a greater capacity to manage stress and adversity.” In his practice, he sees that a meditation or yoga practice can also help with anxiety, depression, improved sleep, concentration, and energy.
by Julia Westbrook | As first seen on RodaleNews.com.
What you don’t know is hurting you.
Gary Kaplan, DO, author of Total Recovery and founder of The Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine, recently held “office hours” during a Rodale News Facebook chat. One of only a handful of physicians in the country who is board-certified in Family Medicine and Pain Medicine, Dr. Kaplan was able to apply his pioneering perspective to help answer one of the most difficult questions plaguing our country: What is causing my pain? If you weren’t able to make the chat, we’ve pulled out 8 key takeaways to consider when you’re trying to figure out why your pain just won’t go away.
#1: Inflammation, part of the normal repair process, may have gone awry.
Cytokines are chemical messengers secreted by the body. They have effects ranging from inciting nerve repair to causing inflammation. In the case of chronic pain, we know that the microglia, which are the innate immune system in the central nervous system, are “stuck” in a mode where they continue to excrete predominantly inflammatory cytokines. Under normal circumstances, microglia will shift from producing inflammatory cytokines to making anti-inflammatory cytokines and call in other cells to initiate the normal repair process.
Balance is restored by eliminating all of the factors that caused the microglia to get turned on in the inflammatory state and then doing things such as meditation, exercise, getting adequate sleep, and using things such as low-dose naltrexone (LDN) and turmeric to get the microglia to go back to their resting state.
#2: Allergies can make your pain worse.
Anything that incites an inflammatory response in the body has the potential to spill over into the brain and worsen the inflammation in the central nervous system, as with fibromyalgia. The allergies are not the cause of the fibro, but something that is further aggravating it.
#3: Your diet can cause inflammation.
I would start by thoroughly looking at your diet and make sure there is nothing still in your diet causing inflammation. I saw one woman who is a vegan, and it turned out she was allergic to blueberries. For ongoing inflammation in the brain, turmeric may be helpful.
#4: Your fatigue may be a symptom. Don’t ignore it.
Sleep is not a thing, but rather a series of different brain waves divided into stages 2, 3, 4, and REM. People who are deficient in 3 to 4 sleep will present with chronic pain. If you have sleep apnea, where you stop breathing at night, it can cause chronic pain. If you have restless leg syndrome, it can also cause chronic pain. A proper evaluation of the quality and amount of sleep is necessary for anyone suffering from chronic pain and depression.
#5: A migraine problem isn’t just in your head–it’s in your nervous system.
Dehydration, alcohol, bright lights are all triggers that can cause migraines. The underlying cause of the migraine is an irritated nervous system. The nervous system is irritated because of an underlying inflammatory condition in the brain. The key to preventing migraines is to identify what it is that’s causing the inflammation. I would start with an anti-inflammatory diet of rice, fish, chicken, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
#6: Overlapping problems can come from the same source.
Migraines and depression: Brain inflammation
The basis of both migraines and depression is inflammation in the brain. I address this at length in my book, Total Recovery. Yes, the two are related and the cause of the inflammation needs to be identified.
Chronic pain and weight loss problems: Gut imbalance
One of the reasons that you may not be able to lose weight might be related to either food allergies or sensitivities or mold toxicity. We know that the composition of the bacteria in your gut has a very significant effect on your ability to lose or maintain weight. Skinny people have different gut flora than people who are overweight. If you have other symptoms, it’s very likely you have a chronic inflammatory condition but the cause has not been discovered or addressed.
#7: The underlying root cause may still need to be identified.
Arthritis (…which isn’t always arthritis)
Sometimes arthritis in knees and joints can be from Lyme disease, sometimes from rheumatoid arthritis, and sometimes from tendinitis. It can also be associated with food allergies and food sensitivities. The first issue is getting a clear diagnosis.
Complex regional pain syndrome
Also known as CRPS, it is a horrific pain condition. I see a number of patients who suffer from CRPS, and the solution can, unfortunately, be elusive. Again, it’s important to try and understand what it is that has caused the nervous system to be so hyper-reactive. Get evaluated for Lyme disease and its co-infections, celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and neurotoxins associated with mold, along with a number of other conditions that I address in my book. I am familiar with Calmare therapy, and the research on it looks very exciting. While we do not do this therapy in our office, I have referred patients for this therapy. It is certainly worth the trial for anyone suffering from CRPS.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be an extremely difficult problem to address and can be a result of multiple issues and not a single problem. Meditation and yoga are extremely effective in reducing inflammation, as is curcumin. You also need to identify the causes of the inflammation, such as the trace mineral imbalances, as well as eliminate anything that may be poisoning your system.
#8: Your body may be more responsive to alternative therapies.
We find that acupuncture can be extremely effective for a large number of pain conditions. But most commonly our treatments are layered, involving a number of therapeutic approaches, which work synergistically for a comprehensive solution. I also recommend meditation or yoga.
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2
The best medicine is prevention so when recreating outdoors, take a moment to engage in a few simple steps to protect yourself, and even your pet, from Lyme disease-carrying ticks and other tick-borne illnesses.
Cover your body in light-colored clothing.
Use an insect repellant. Don’t forget the hard-to-see areas of the body such as your armpits, groin, and scalp.
When you’re done with yourself, spray your pet too!
Take the time to check yourself and your pet for ticks before going back inside.
Dr. Kaplan advises, “If you do notice Lyme-like symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately and ask to be tested. Remember: every individual is unique in their genetic makeup, medical history, and environmental exposures, and each of these factors can affect how Lyme disease manifests in your body. If some of your symptoms persist, even after you have been treated — don’t give up! Be your own advocate – keep asking questions and seeking answers until you find the right treatment options for you.”
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2
How Yoga Can Help With Your Chronic Pain
/in Lifestyle/by Kaplan CenterBy Julia Westbrook
Improve your brain to stop the pain.
Protect your body from pain by beefing up your mind with yoga, according to research from the American Pain Society. The research found that the areas of the brain that are torn down by chronic pain are built up by yoga, likely due to the meditative aspects of the practice.
“Practicing yoga has the opposite effect on the brain as does chronic pain,” said M. Catherine Bushnell, PhD, scientific director of the Division of Intramural Research, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH.
Chronic pain has shown to cause brain damage in gray matter, which can lead to memory issues, emotional issues, and decreased cognitive functioning. Chronic pain is also a symptom of inflammation in the brain. “The inflammation causes reversible damage to the brain with a loss of gray matter and disruption in the normal functioning of the brain,” explains Gary Kaplan, DO, author of Total Recovery.
So, the logical solution: Fix the inflammation, fix your brain, and stop the pain.
Dr. Kaplan recommends meditation and yoga as effective ways to combat inflammation in his own practice. “If we could bottle the beneficial impacts yoga and meditation have on the body it would be the best-selling medication around,” he says.
Improved Coping With Inflammation
Dr. Kaplan says this meditative practice may address the root brain inflammation that causes pain. “We do not know the mechanism via which meditation and yoga protect the brain,” he says, “but since we know that both practices result in repair of the brain and growth of new gray matter, it is reasonable that both practices reduce inflammation. You cannot have brain tissue repair unless you shut down the inflammatory process.”
Reduced Suffering
While yoga doesn’t make people less sensitive to pain, yoga and meditation can help boost their resilience when it comes to dealing with their pain. While these practices don’t decrease your ability to feel pain, Dr. Kaplan says that previous research has found that they do improve the time of reactivity to pain and the emotional consequences of experiencing pain. “Both practices unquestionably can reduce the level of chronic pain and again reduce the emotional import of the pain, i.e. the suffering component,” he explains. “They allow you to ‘distance’ yourself from the pain and see it more objectively.”
Boosted Resiliency
Your ability to deal isn’t just a matter of will—it might be a matter of your brain, too. “There are several studies that look at insula mass interrelationship to resilience,” says Dr. Kaplan. “If yoga is also increasing the insula mass, then we might also expect people doing yoga on a regular basis to have a greater capacity to manage stress and adversity.” In his practice, he sees that a meditation or yoga practice can also help with anxiety, depression, improved sleep, concentration, and energy.
As seen on RodaleNews.com.
8 Reasons Your Pain Won’t Go Away
/in Inflammation, Wellness/by Kaplan Centerby Julia Westbrook | As first seen on RodaleNews.com.
What you don’t know is hurting you.
Gary Kaplan, DO, author of Total Recovery and founder of The Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine, recently held “office hours” during a Rodale News Facebook chat. One of only a handful of physicians in the country who is board-certified in Family Medicine and Pain Medicine, Dr. Kaplan was able to apply his pioneering perspective to help answer one of the most difficult questions plaguing our country: What is causing my pain? If you weren’t able to make the chat, we’ve pulled out 8 key takeaways to consider when you’re trying to figure out why your pain just won’t go away.
#1: Inflammation, part of the normal repair process, may have gone awry.
Cytokines are chemical messengers secreted by the body. They have effects ranging from inciting nerve repair to causing inflammation. In the case of chronic pain, we know that the microglia, which are the innate immune system in the central nervous system, are “stuck” in a mode where they continue to excrete predominantly inflammatory cytokines. Under normal circumstances, microglia will shift from producing inflammatory cytokines to making anti-inflammatory cytokines and call in other cells to initiate the normal repair process.
Balance is restored by eliminating all of the factors that caused the microglia to get turned on in the inflammatory state and then doing things such as meditation, exercise, getting adequate sleep, and using things such as low-dose naltrexone (LDN) and turmeric to get the microglia to go back to their resting state.
#2: Allergies can make your pain worse.
Anything that incites an inflammatory response in the body has the potential to spill over into the brain and worsen the inflammation in the central nervous system, as with fibromyalgia. The allergies are not the cause of the fibro, but something that is further aggravating it.
#3: Your diet can cause inflammation.
I would start by thoroughly looking at your diet and make sure there is nothing still in your diet causing inflammation. I saw one woman who is a vegan, and it turned out she was allergic to blueberries. For ongoing inflammation in the brain, turmeric may be helpful.
Questions? Give Us a Call!
703-532-4892 x2
#4: Your fatigue may be a symptom. Don’t ignore it.
Sleep is not a thing, but rather a series of different brain waves divided into stages 2, 3, 4, and REM. People who are deficient in 3 to 4 sleep will present with chronic pain. If you have sleep apnea, where you stop breathing at night, it can cause chronic pain. If you have restless leg syndrome, it can also cause chronic pain. A proper evaluation of the quality and amount of sleep is necessary for anyone suffering from chronic pain and depression.
#5: A migraine problem isn’t just in your head–it’s in your nervous system.
Dehydration, alcohol, bright lights are all triggers that can cause migraines. The underlying cause of the migraine is an irritated nervous system. The nervous system is irritated because of an underlying inflammatory condition in the brain. The key to preventing migraines is to identify what it is that’s causing the inflammation. I would start with an anti-inflammatory diet of rice, fish, chicken, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
#6: Overlapping problems can come from the same source.
The basis of both migraines and depression is inflammation in the brain. I address this at length in my book, Total Recovery. Yes, the two are related and the cause of the inflammation needs to be identified.
One of the reasons that you may not be able to lose weight might be related to either food allergies or sensitivities or mold toxicity. We know that the composition of the bacteria in your gut has a very significant effect on your ability to lose or maintain weight. Skinny people have different gut flora than people who are overweight. If you have other symptoms, it’s very likely you have a chronic inflammatory condition but the cause has not been discovered or addressed.
#7: The underlying root cause may still need to be identified.
Sometimes arthritis in knees and joints can be from Lyme disease, sometimes from rheumatoid arthritis, and sometimes from tendinitis. It can also be associated with food allergies and food sensitivities. The first issue is getting a clear diagnosis.
Also known as CRPS, it is a horrific pain condition. I see a number of patients who suffer from CRPS, and the solution can, unfortunately, be elusive. Again, it’s important to try and understand what it is that has caused the nervous system to be so hyper-reactive. Get evaluated for Lyme disease and its co-infections, celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and neurotoxins associated with mold, along with a number of other conditions that I address in my book. I am familiar with Calmare therapy, and the research on it looks very exciting. While we do not do this therapy in our office, I have referred patients for this therapy. It is certainly worth the trial for anyone suffering from CRPS.
Tinnitus can be an extremely difficult problem to address and can be a result of multiple issues and not a single problem. Meditation and yoga are extremely effective in reducing inflammation, as is curcumin. You also need to identify the causes of the inflammation, such as the trace mineral imbalances, as well as eliminate anything that may be poisoning your system.
#8: Your body may be more responsive to alternative therapies.
We find that acupuncture can be extremely effective for a large number of pain conditions. But most commonly our treatments are layered, involving a number of therapeutic approaches, which work synergistically for a comprehensive solution. I also recommend meditation or yoga.
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2
4 Simple Tips to Prevent Lyme Disease
/in Conditions/by Gary Kaplan, DOThe best medicine is prevention so when recreating outdoors, take a moment to engage in a few simple steps to protect yourself, and even your pet, from Lyme disease-carrying ticks and other tick-borne illnesses.
Dr. Kaplan advises, “If you do notice Lyme-like symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately and ask to be tested. Remember: every individual is unique in their genetic makeup, medical history, and environmental exposures, and each of these factors can affect how Lyme disease manifests in your body. If some of your symptoms persist, even after you have been treated — don’t give up! Be your own advocate – keep asking questions and seeking answers until you find the right treatment options for you.”
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2