Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished- LaoTzu
I believe in nature and the healing power of birds in the trees, water trickling in a creek, warmth of the sun, power of fresh air in the lungs and terrific grounding power coming up from the earth and into the plants that we live with. I believe in the power of nature. Black sage as a name resonated with me on many levels. Black sage is sometimes referred to as Mugwort which is sometimes used in Acupuncture treatments as moxa to warm and dredge the channels. However, there are other uses for black sage from a spiritual perspective black sage is used on deep shamanic journeys other used include after a trauma people would bathe in water and black sage to heal and protect them giving them deep inner strength. There are uses in many cultures for different kinds of sage from protecting, cleansing and grounding. It is often used in ceremonies and rituals. I picked sage specifically because it is not a far out of reach plant and it grows almost everywhere. It is incredibly powerful yet not out of reach for most of us. I believe that is how medicine should be. Practical and Profound.
Polymyalgia rheumatica often called PMR is a painful condition that most often affects the muscles, tendons and ligaments near the neck, shoulders and hips but can affect other areas. It causes stiffness and pain that it debilitating for those affected by drastically decreasing quality of life. PMR can make small things like getting dressed, tying your shoes, and going for walks seem like an impossible endevour. Standard treatment currently involves the use of steroids to control the inflammation and pain levels, without much more to offer treatment leaves patients sometimes feeling hopeless and somewhat relying on the use of steroids. Treatment needs to involve more than a metaphorical bandaid of symptoms. What’s really going on with Polymyaglia Rheumatica and what other treatments can help with pain and inflammation in the body?
PMR usually comes on quickly with flu-like symptoms followed by extreme pain and stiffness that does not go away on it’s own. Stiffness is worse in the morning. Doctor’s don’t have a specific test to diagnose PMR, the presence of stiffness and pain coupled with increased inflammation markers in the blood and excluding other diagnosis such as rheumatoid Arthritis can lead to a Polymyalgia rheumatica diagnosis.
Despite the limited understanding of the PMR it is still important to get a diagnosis from a Doctor. The most important reason for this is to make sure you have correctly identified what is going on in your body. There are other more serious diagnosis that can look like and correlate with PMR including Giant Cell Arteritis. This is a distinction best made from your Doctor who has the knowledge and background.
However, once you have a PMR diagnosis there are things other than or in addition to steroid therapies to incorporate. Considering the vague nature PMR patients need to focus on what we do know and what they can control. We know there are inflammatory markers such as the ESR and CRP which indicate inflammation in the body, and we know we are dealing with an autoimmune disorder. As with all autoimmune disorders managing stress, controlling diet, sleep, lifestyle factors are all elements in our body’s internal ecosystem.
First looking at inflammation, there is some emerging research showing connection between PMR and blood insulin levels. The research is at this point correlative rather than direct cause and effect. There is a correlation between higher blood glucose levels and inflammation markers in the blood, there is a correlation between high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. There are correlations to emotional expression and the development of some autoimmune disorders.
Things that can help manage stress and reduce inflammation
Acupuncture- helps with stress, pain and inflammation
Reduce sugar intake- can control inflammation
Exercise when feeling good, can reduce the amount of time you are down when you have flare ups
Reduce stress levels- yoga, walking, visiting with friends, take time to yourself, hobby
Increase foods that have natural anti-inflammatory properties.
What’s the connection between sciatic pain and the low back?
Sciatica is a common and treatable condition in which pressure is put on the sciatic nerve which radiates down one or both legs. The nerve root of the sciatic nerve comes from between Lumbar vertebrae 3-5. In simple terms… the low back. The nerves that innervate the legs and feet originate in this area and stem out much like the roots of a tree or plant. Sciatica symptoms can range from mildly annoying to severe and disrupting daily activities. Pressure, tingling, almost always radiating pain are used to decipher between sciatica and other possible diagnosis. (important to note, loss of bladder or bowel control and/or sensation of the leg are not sciatica and should be treated as a medical emergency). Sciatica often varies in intensity with some activities putting more pressure on the nerve than others.
Although several things can initiate a bout of sciatica some known triggers include sitting for long periods (driving or sitting), muscle strain of the low back, herniated disc, narrowing of the spinal canal and certain movements that put pressure of the Lower back and vertebra.
Acupuncture, massage and chiropractic care are all good options to treat pain from sciatica. Stretching is not recommended and if it truly is sciatica, stretching will not help. This makes sense if we recognize the sciatic nerve as irritated during sciatica. Stretching a nerve that is already irritated generally will not make it feel better. Heat or anything to loosen the lower back muscles are helpful things you can do at home.
Black Sage Wellness 