PAIN - THE BODY'S WARNING SIGNAL

We often hear people say about others, something along the lines of, ‘ Oh he’s a pain in the neck ‘ or some other part of the body’s anatomy.

 These thoughts and their associated feelings do often reproduce themselves as pain in the body.

 This may manifest as headaches or contribute to muscle or abdominal pain or other deep-seated ailments.

 Although not all pain is completely caused by an emotional component, this is one aspect not to be overlooked in a balanced treatment program.

 It is very common to hear complaints of people suffering abdominal pain perhaps after eating; may be associated with bloating; or it may be at no particular time.

 Our digestive system is affected by our nervous system and to whatever degree we feel anxious, whether consciously or a subconscious pattern, this will be reflected in the state of functioning of our gastro-intestinal tract.

 Some persons suffer either constipation or diarrhoea when they become nervous due to the muscles of the small and large intestine being either stimulated or tightened by the effects from the nervous system.

 The endocrine system balance also affects the gastro-intestinal system as an underactive thyroid will tend to contribute to a general slowing of the metabolism while an overactive gland makes for hyperfunction of the system.

 There are different disease names associated with abdominal pain. After ruling out causes such as cancer there may be gastric ulcer; gallbladder inflammation; inflammatory bowel disease ie ulcerative colitis; diverticular disease; appendicitis; pancreatic disorder; and in the case of women — ectopic pregnancy, fallopian tube infection [salpingitis], ovaritis, endometriosis.

 Abdominal problems may also be reflected in associated musculo-skeletal pain.

 Disorders of the gastro-intestinal tract are at the root of many health disorders and are to be prioritized in treatment.

 In general, foods thought to benefit the gastro-intestinal system include pawpaw, chlorophyll, spinach, celery, kale, watercress, yoghurt, kefir, sun-dried olives, chard, beet greens, and whey.

 A regular juice of parsley, carrot, pawpaw or potato peeling broth will help many people.

 The vitamins needed for proper digestive system functioning, include Vitamins A, C, B complex, D, E, F, K, folic acid, inositol, niacin and pantothenic acid. Minerals including sodium, magnesium, potassium, iron, sulphur, copper, silicon, zinc and iodine all play their part.

 Pain is the body’s warning mechanism and attention should be paid to find the cause and treat this, not just the symptoms.