Since beginning to use extracoporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) either by using a radial pressure wave device (rSWT) (OrthoPulse 100 Ultra) or a focused shock wave device (fSWT) (Duolith SD1 Intelect) to create pulsed sound waves that go to different depths of body tissues to stimulate a healing response, and subsequently reduce acute and chronic pain syndromes, I have become even more aware of the role of diet in contributing to any pain condition - chronic or acute.
As much as I think these shock wave devices are wonderful inventions that non-invasively trigger a healing response that 1) increase the formation of new blood vessels, 2) stimulate stem cells and new tissue growth 3) reduces inflammation and 4) breaks up fibrous tissue (Difference between radial and focused shock wave treatments) it’s using these devices in conjunction with an anti-inflammatory diets that enhances the “magic” of self-healing and treatment effectiveness.
When I first started practicing “Wholistic Medicine” in May of 1983 in Marina Del Rey, California the first practice I worked put everyone on a two week vegetable puree with psyllium seed fiber and some vitamins and minerals. It was in those first six months of practice that I saw the power of food in causing many different health conditions including pain syndromes that would clear or be dramatically improved in this two week period. Essentially the client would go off all their commonly eaten foods and drink a bunch of “green stuff” with psyllium seed fiber added. Then within this two week period magic would happen! And in many cases “itises” would vanish along with the associated pain.
Ever since, over the last 38 years, I have put people on a variety of elimination diets for many common complaints including pain. Since I have been using these shock wave devices for mostly pain conditions (and ED) I have gone back to my “roots” and put people on some form of food elimination diets or modified fasts while I do the shock wave therapy. Many times when you fast or go on an elimination diet brain function and mood improves as well.
Here is a list of my simple “Quickie” diets or modified fasting protocols:
1) Eat of BED Diet Food List - page 2 of handout and/or
2) Water fast 4-7 days and/or
3) Fasting Mimicking Diet (can get Prolon 5 day program online or at our office at discount) and/or
4) Eat for 7 days only whole fruits and non-starchy vegetables (avoid nightshade family -
See BED Food List - page 2) - steamed, water stir- fried, roasted, baked, raw and/or grilled (no oil frying)
5) Inflamx (anti-inflammatory pea and rice protein meal replacement - try All Spice first) 2 scoops 2-4 times per day mixed with water (and ice) initially for 4-7 days (available from our office). If you can do it solely for 4-7 days then add non-starchy vegetables and whole fruit plus the Inflamx.
With regards to extended water fasting past several days, especially if you have other health conditions and are on medication, I recommend TruNorth Health Center in Santa Rosa, California to be medically supervised during the fast. They have experience conducting tens of thousands of water fasts over the last 25 years in people with all kinds of health problems. They are the “masters” of therapeutic water fasting.
FREE 15 Minute Phone Appointment: If you would like to discuss the use of diet, nutraceuticals, hormones, IV nutrients, modified fasting and/or shock wave therapy in treating any pain syndrome you can get a hold of me between 8-9 a.m. PST at 916-489-4400 for our open phone line or you can schedule a FREE 15 minute screening consult to see if shock wave therapy is right for you for your pain issue or if interested in using ESWT for erectile dysfunction treatment. Just call and say you would like to make a “Free 15 minute phone appointment with Kirk to discuss EPAT therapy”. If you are a patient please advise so the staff can pull your chart and I can review it. If not a patient let the staff know as well.
Diet is frequently overlooked in pain management conditions. Get more “bang for your buck” and do some form of elimination diet as mentioned above. Not only will you get quicker and longer last results but you will save a lot of money as well.
Great Book: “Foods That Fight Pain”
REFERENCES:
Dietary Patterns and Interventions to Alleviate Chronic Pain. Nutrients. 2020 Aug 19;12(9):2510. CONCLUSION: Inflammation and oxidative stress are the main pathophysiological pathways of chronic pain and most focused on diets and dietary constituents that modulate these two pathways in order to alleviate pain. A low-fat, plant-based diet has multiple benefits for health, improving glycemic control, blood pressure, blood lipid concentrations, and decreasing inflammation.
Do Nutritional Factors Interact with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain? A Systematic Review. J Clin Med. 2020 Mar 5;9(3):702. CONCLUSION: plant-based diets may have pain relieving effects on chronic musculoskeletal pain. Patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis pain can show inadequate intake of calcium, folate, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6, whilst patients with fibromyalgia can show a lower intake of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamin A-E-K, folate, selenium, and zinc. Chronic pain severity also shows a positive relation with fat and sugar intake in osteoarthritis, and pain threshold shows a positive association with protein intake in fibromyalgia.
Fasting therapy for treating and preventing disease - current state of evidence. Forsch Komplementmed. 2013;20(6):444-53. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that medically supervised modified fasting (200-500 kcal nutritional intake per day) for periods of 7-21 days is beneficial in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, chronic pain syndromes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. The beneficial effects of fasting followed by vegetarian diet in rheumatoid arthritis are confirmed by randomized controlled trials.
Prolonged fasting as a method of mood enhancement in chronic pain syndromes: a review of clinical evidence and mechanisms. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2010 Apr;14(2):80-7. CONCLUSION: Fasting treatments may be beneficial in chronic pain patients. The mood-enhancing and pain-relieving effect of therapeutic fasting should be evaluated in randomized clinical trials.
CALL ME WITH QUESTIONS OR MAKE AN APPOINTMENT...916-489-4400
Be Thankfull!
Kirk Hamilton PA-C
Prescription 2000, Inc.
Health Associates Medical Group
3301 Alta Arden, Suite 3
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 489-4400 (w)
krhammer@surewest.net
www.KwikerMedical.com
www.HealthyLivingforBusypeople.com
www.StayingHealthyToday.com