Do you get lower back pain? Even if you don’t, you might be surprised to know there’s a 90% chance you will at some point in your lifetime. This was one of the first things I learned in my rehab studies during my residency in med school.

Most people blame chronic backaches and leg pain on a variety of things… like nerve issues, muscle problems, a bad mattress, or bending over to pick something up.

But many times, the cause is simply from sitting so much.

Our bodies were never designed to be immobile. Our ancestors never sat for hours on end like most of us do in today’s modern world.

Long hours spent on the computer, watching TV, or commutes to and from the office… any of these everyday activities can trigger chronic back pain.

The good news is, pain relief can be as easy as stretching the right muscles.

And don’t worry. You don’t need to spend an hour a day doing boring stretching exercises to be flexible or ease your nagging back. Today, I’ll show you an easy stretch for lower back pain, and I’ll tell you about a remarkable invention that’s helping thousands of people sit comfortably for long periods.

Losing flexibility as we age is the rule, especially if you never stretch. You make it worse if you sit at a desk all day. But some regular exercise and proper stretching can slow the decline.

An intelligent stretching regimen can prevent or even reverse stiffness and loss of range of motion. Done properly, these movements can ease your back pain and provide long-term relief. This solution is simple, pleasant, and takes only a couple of minutes.

Here’s an easy one. To relieve lower back pain, stretch the front of your hips daily (or every other day).

Hip Flexors: You need to do this stretch, particularly if you sit all day at work. Sitting all day puts pressure on the hip flexor muscles. This is a major cause of minor lower back pain. Stretching your hip flexor muscles several times a week will prevent this kind of lower back pain.

How To: Stand in a modified runner stance, with right foot forward and left foot back, feet flat on floor. Put your hands on your hips and keep your back and hips in straight alignment. Push forward with your hips, while maintaining your erect posture. Slowly push your hips forward only until you feel a comfortable level of tension. Hold for a 10 count. Switch sides by reversing your leg stance and repeat.

If you have back pain and sit for long periods, I have an excellent tool for you. It was invented by an office worker, Cathleen Woodall, who spends 8 hours a day sitting in front of a computer.

After years of lower back pain she created a portable seat that slopes from back to front, keeping your pelvis at the correct angle. The groove down the middle prevents impact on your spine and coccyx.

It has a layer of visco-elastic memory foam making it both supportive and comfortable.

It’s called the GSeat. Here’s what people are saying about it:

“I like to do email on the weekend at my kitchen table. The GSeat allows me to work comfortably for hours, even while seated on an oak chair.” – J. Bloom, Ottumwa, IA

“I spend 9 to 12 hours a day sitting in front of a computer. And even though I have a nice ergo chair, it was not until I got my GSeat that I felt my sitting posture really improve. I no longer have that nagging lower back pain from sitting all day in a chair. Thanks to my GSeat, on my last trip to Arizona, a 7-hour drive, I did not experience the ‘rump fatigue’ I usually do.” – C. Watson, Orange County, CA

My friend Nan Kathryn Fuchs, PhD, told me about the GSeat, and I want to pass it on to you.

I think it could be a real solution for back pain caused by long periods of sitting.

Click here to read more.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

Not everyone wants to inject poison into their face. And that’s how a lot of folks feel about Botox.

I don’t blame you. But Botox is also misunderstood.

Botox is naturally occurring and when used properly can do more than take the wrinkles off an aging movie star.

It can end migraines, prostate problems, and muscle spasms. That’s what studies using Botox are showing. We are finding that Botox is not only good for cosmetic anti-aging; it may also ease some very irritating conditions.

Today, I’ll tell you how a cosmetic tool has the potential to alleviate migraine, prostate, and muscle pain. And I’ll give you some tips for Botox safety.

You are probably most familiar with Botox as a cosmetic procedure. For years, doctors have been using Botox to diminish their patients’ facial wrinkles. And since the FDA approved Botox as an anti-wrinkle serum in April of 2002, its use has become common.

Botox is a natural toxin. The bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces it. Doctors use a purified form of the toxin. We inject small amounts of this substance into muscle, which temporarily weakens it. Botox blocks a chemical in the muscle that causes it to contract.

Less contraction means less wrinkles. This is why Botox is widely used to eliminate facial wrinkles. But this same mechanism can eliminate pain from some medical conditions.

Headaches: We have now come to understand that Botox can treat and even prevent some of the most severe headaches. The journal Headache published a now landmark study that looked at the effectiveness of Botox in treating headaches.

Researchers analyzed several studies performed over 3 years. They evaluated 271 subjects with severe, frequent headaches. Botox treatment reduces the average number of days per month in which subjects experienced headaches by 56%. Headache intensity and frequency dropped by over 85% with Botox injections.₁

Muscle Spasms: Botox was actually first approved for treating muscle disorders. And I have used this technique in my practice with much success. One of my patients had been suffering from spasms of the neck muscles for years. Botox injections eliminated most of his pain and spasms.

Prostate: The most recent unique use for Botox has been in the relief of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) symptoms. Researchers have been performing some preliminary tests on the topic for a few years. Now a recent study shows promise.

Researchers at the University Hospital in Rome treated 30 men with swollen prostates with either Botox injections or a placebo solution injection. The men taking Botox had a significant reduction in frequent painful urination after two months. These men also experienced a drop in PSA levels. Better yet, their prostates shrunk by almost half!₂

Remember Botox is a nerve toxin, it can be dangerous if used the wrong way. Botox is a prescription. Only let a doctor experienced with Botox treat you. There are very few reported side effects from proper administration.

Botox injections for wrinkles, headaches and muscle spasms can work for up to 3 months. After that, you may need a repeat treatment.

Remember, the study regarding Botox for prostate relief is preliminary. I wouldn’t inject your prostate with Botox just yet. We still need more evidence proving that Botox is safe for the prostate over time. None-the-less, more research could yield more promising results.

If you’re in South Florida – or just passing through – you can talk to my staff about Botox and other proven anti-aging remedies for your skin.

Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C is the newest addition to my clinic. As a nurse practitioner with years of experience in dermatology and anti-aging, she’s an expert in the field. Tara is one of the best in the business and I’m happy to have her on board. You can reach her by contacting my clinic at: 561-784-7852.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

1. Blumenfeld, A. Botulinum toxin type A as an effective prophylactic treatment in primary headache disorder. Headache 2003 Sep; 43(8): 853-60
2. Maria G. et al., Relief by botulinum toxin of voiding dysfunction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: results of randomized, placebo-controlled study. Urology 2003 Aug; 62(2): 259-64

Do you get lower back pain from sitting in your office chair for hours on end?

Sitting for long periods can be a pain as you age. Long drives, bleacher seats at a football game or working at your computer can trigger back pain.

Ninety percent of Americans have some back pain at some time in their lives. It’s one of the first things I learned in my rehab studies during my residency in med school. In fact, back pain is the number two reason people visit the doctor, second only to upper-respiratory infections.

Stretching the right muscles is one of the best solutions for chronic back pain, especially if you have trouble sitting for long periods of time.

But you don’t need to spend an hour a day doing boring stretching exercises to be flexible or ease your nagging back. Today, I’ll show you an easy stretch for lower back pain, and I’ll tell you about a remarkable invention that’s helping thousands of people sit comfortably for long periods.

Losing flexibility as we age is the rule, especially if you never stretch. You make it worse if you sit at a desk all day. But some regular exercise and proper stretching can slow the decline.

An intelligent stretching regimen can prevent or even reverse stiffness and loss of range of motion. Done properly, these movements can ease your back pain and provide long-term relief. This solution is simple, pleasant and takes only a couple of minutes.

Here’s an easy one. To relieve lower back pain, stretch the front of your hips daily (or every other day).

• Hip Flexors: You need to do this stretch, particularly if you sit all day at work. Sitting all day puts pressure on the hip flexor muscles. This is a major cause of minor low back pain. Stretching your hip flexors muscles several times a week will prevent this kind of lower back pain. How To: Stand in a modified runner stance, with right foot forward and left foot back, feet flat on floor. Put your hands on your hips and keep your back and hips in straight alignment. Push forward with your hips, while maintaining your erect posture. Slowly, push your hips forward only until you feel a comfortable level of tension. Hold for a 10 count. Switch sides by reversing your leg stance and repeat.

If you have back pain and sit for long periods I have an excellent tool for you. It was invented by an office worker, Cathleen Woodall, who spends 8 hours a day sitting in front of a computer.

After years of lower back pain she created a portable seat that slopes from back to front, keeping your pelvis at the correct angle. The groove down the middle prevents impact on your spine and coccyx.

It has a layer of visco-elastic memory foam making it both supportive and comfortable.

It’s called the G-Seat. Here’s what people are saying about it:

“I like to do email on the weekend at my kitchen table. The GSeat allows me to work comfortably for hours, even while seated on an oak chair.” – J. Bloom, Ottumwa, IA

“I spend 9 to 12 hours a day sitting in front of a computer. And even though I have a nice ergo chair, it was not until I got my GSeat that I felt my sitting posture really improve. I no longer have that nagging lower back pain from sitting all day in a chair. Thanks to my GSeat, on my last trip to Arizona, a 7-hour drive, I did not experience the ‘rump fatigue’ I usually do.” – C. Watson, Orange County, CA

My friend Nan Kathryn Fuchs, PhD told me about the G-Seat and I want to pass it on to you.

I think it could be a real solution for back pain caused by long periods of sitting.

Click here to read more.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

Can you imagine curing a 2-day migraine with lemon rind and a dishtowel?

How about wiping out arthritis pain by eating gin-soaked raisins?

These “food cures” not only work, they’ve been demonstrated on national television. The health researchers behind these remarkable remedies are Joan and Lydia Wilen.

The Wilen Sisters are known throughout the world for food remedies that outperform prescription drugs. Very often they’re formulated from the odds and ends you have in your fridge right now.

The Wilen Sisters appear on CBS This Morning and NBC’s Today show. And they always prove the effectiveness of their cures while they’re on the air.

During one of their TV appearances they talked to a man who had a 2-day migraine. The Wilen Sisters rubbed lemon rind on his temples, then tied a dishtowel around his head. At the end of the show the man turned to the camera and said his headache was gone.

Of course, one man’s story won’t get you written up in a medical journal but the principle behind their food cures is sound, tested and real. It’s part of a natural healing tradition that’s thousands of years old.

I found out about the Wilen Sisters through their publisher. He knew about my own research into food cures and passed along their amazing story. I have to say I’m impressed. Their winning strategies are simple and practical. And they work.

Here’s one you can try right now. It’s the “gin-soaked raisin cure” for arthritis.

• 1 lb golden raisins
• Gin (approximately 1 pint)
• Glass bowl (Pyrex is good – crystal is bad)
• Glass jar with lid

Spread the golden raisins evenly on the bottom of the glass bowl and pour enough gin over them to completely cover. Let them stay that way until all the gin is absorbed. Occasionally stir the mixture to make sure all the raisins are covered. It may take 5 to 7 days.

When the gin is absorbed, transfer the raisins to the jar, put the lid on and keep it closed. Do not refrigerate. Dosage: Each day, eat nine raisins – exactly and only nine raisins a day.

In case you’re wondering, there’s almost no alcohol in the raisins by the time you start eating them. A pharmacologist who tested the remedy at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, confirmed this.

The Wilen Sisters demonstrate the raisin remedy on TV and get great feedback. One lady who tried it had constant pain and no mobility in her neck. Two weeks after trying the gin-soaked raisins she wrote a letter to the sisters reporting no pain with complete mobility.

In their book, “Secret Food Cures” the Wilen Sisters give you 1,714 more remedies for fixing, arthritis, sore throats, memory problems and hundreds more.

I’ve arranged for the publisher to give you two more Wilen Sister books “Best-Ever Home Secrets” and “Best-Ever Kitchen Secrets” at no extra charge. And you can preview “Secret Food Cures” for 30 days without paying a penny.

I have these books at home. They’re on my nightstand with dozens of pages already dog-eared. All my extra copies disappeared within 48 hours.

I recommend you give them a try.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

If you have chronic pain you know you can live without it. Well you don’t need drugs to do it.

You know that drugs can only treat symptoms without dealing with the underlying problem. What’s worse, most painkillers can put your health in serious jeopardy.

Did you know that animal studies show that even aspirin can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb vitamin C? It may alleviate some of your pain, but it’s also robbing you of a powerful immune booster and antioxidant, especially if you take it regularly.

Aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Motrin®) and naproxen (Aleve®), all lead to serious health problems in studies – most of which, you never hear about. To take a recent example, a study out of the Harvard School of Medicine tracked the use of OTC painkillers among 16,031 male health professionals over a four-year period. Those who took Tylenol® six or seven days a week had a 34 percent greater risk of high blood pressure compared to non-users.

Those who took aspirin had a 26 percent greater risk and those who took NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) had a 38 percent higher risk. The more pills they took, the higher the risk. Those who took between 6 and 14 pills a week, raised their risk of high blood pressure by 53 percent (acetaminophen) and 32 percent (aspirin). Did your doctor tell you this?

Chronic high blood pressure can lead to kidney damage, stroke, and heart attack. This is a sobering fact, especially when you consider that many doctors suggest people over 65 should take aspirin regularly as a way to prevent heart disease.

What modern medicine’s misguided approach fails to take into account is that the underlying cause of chronic pain—inflammation—can result from a variety of conditions related to diet, environmental factors, even household products. And as they do harm to your body, these pain drugs don’t do anything to address those conditions.

In my own medical practice, I opt for natural traditional treatments that work with your body to relieve pain, like white willow bark, ginger, and natural sulfurs.

I also recently came across an expert in pain management whose treatments provide real and lasting pain relief—without endangering your health. His name is Jesse Cannone, and I’ve found that his take on dealing with pain jibes with my own work.

Unlike the typical healthcare practitioner, Jesse’s got a handle on the real causes of chronic pain and found ways to deal with them—drug free.

For example, he focuses on the role free radical damage plays in provoking an inflammatory response in your body. Jesse’s also taken the environmental factors that contribute to pain into account . . . and offers real solutions. Here are just a few of them:

Eat a healthy organic diet To heal chronic pain disorders, you must receive adequate and balanced levels of (1) macronutrients—complex carbohydrates, proteins, fats; (2) fiber; (3) micronutrients—vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Without the right amounts of all three your detoxification system breaks down, leaving you vulnerable to toxins, heavy metals and dangerous chemicals in your personal environment (all of which contribute to chronic pain).

Filter your water and air: Water pollution has been shown to have significant health implications ranging from ailments to neurological damage. Air filtering is also important as we spend 80 to 90% of our time indoors. A recent study pointed out that chemical pollutants in indoor dust and air have been associated with cancer, allergy, asthma and damage to the nervous system

My advice is to skip the drugs and treat the real culprit behind pain. For more information on Jesse’s natural therapy for pain, click HERE.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

1 Das et al. “Vitamin C aspirin interaction in laboratory animals.” Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 1992. 17(6):343-6.

2 Forman et al. “Frequency of Analgesic Use and Risk of Hypertension Among Men.” Archives of Internal Medicine. 2007. 167(4):394-399.

Yesterday a patient had trouble getting into the examination room. When he saw the look of concern on my face, he said, “It’s my sciatica… Sometimes I have trouble getting around…”

That was a good reminder for me. Many people with chronic back pain just grin and bear it; swallowing fistfuls of pain pills they get from their doctor.

But I want to let you know that if you’re suffering from lower back pain – especially sciatica – there’s something you can do about it. It doesn’t involve drugs or surgery and you can try it right away.

First, there’s something else you should know… sciatica – which is usually a pain that starts in your lower back on shoots down one leg – is often a sign of a bigger problem. I’m talking about a herniated or “slipped” disk.

Other symptoms include:

• Weakness in one or both legs

• Numbness and tingling in your leg (pins and needles)

• A burning pain centered in the lower back

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Back pain with gradually increasing leg pain

Your discs are the cushions between the vertebrae of your spinal column. The outer part is made up of tough cartilage and the center has a soft, gelatin substance (think of a jelly doughnut).

When a disc ruptures – or herniates – part of the jelly pushes through the outer wall and leaks into the spinal column. This puts pressure on your nerves. Herniated disks are very painful. For some it can be crippling. But there are easy steps you can take to minimize your pain.

Here’s a simple exercise you can try today: Get one of those inflatable medicine balls – the kind you find at your local gym. Start by lying on the ball (on your stomach, looking at the floor). Your feet should be wide for balance. Slowly roll forward until the ball is placed in front of your hips. Allow your body to bend forward, rounding to the shape of the ball.

Relax your body completely and place your hands on the floor for support and balance. You should feel light to moderate stretching in your lower back, and possibly your hamstrings.

This stretch loosens the muscles that run up and down your spine. This creates more space between each vertebra.

You’ll be amazed by the pain relief you get from increasing the space between each vertebrae… even the slightest improvement can be enough to allow a herniated disc to pop back into place or relieve pressure from a nerve.

If you need extra help with your back pain, The Healthy Back Institute has a great self-assessment tool that enables you to find out exactly where your pain is coming from and how to deal with it. What’s more, they give you simple exercises that provide relief within days.

Many of my patients have been using their system with great results. To find out more, CLICK HERE.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

Last month, I told you how my Wellness research team discovered a powerful new weapon in the battle against chronic pain. Today, I’m happy to report that I’ve finally found a formula that meets my standards for quality and purity.

It’s completely natural, with no side effects. It has a history that’s thousands of years old. Most doctors don’t know about it. Best of all, it works even better than expensive prescription drugs.

We know the ancient Egyptians used tree bark to treat inflammation. But it was the Greek physician Hippocrates, considered by many to be the “Father of Medicine,” who really put it on the map. He found it was so effective in eliminating pain of all kinds that he felt compelled to write about it – way back in the 5th century BC.

History remembered Hippocrates, but forgot one of his most crucial discoveries. Until now.

It turns out that white willow bark contains salicin. This natural pain fighter is similar to the active ingredient in aspirin, but with a crucial difference: it doesn’t do any harm to your body.

Why?

Aspirin’s active ingredient, acetylsalicylic acid, is a synthetic compound. Under a microscope it looks like salicin. But the similarities end there.

Aspirin’s fine for the occasional headache. But if you take it regularly, you’re putting your health in serious jeopardy. It delivers a jolt to your system that can do lasting damage over time. Here are just a few of its clinically proven dangers:

• Gastrointestinal bleeding

• Stroke

• Major abdominal bleeding

• Ulcers

• Cataracts

• Pancreatic cancer

• Kidney failure

Salicin, on the other hand, is completely safe. Because it’s an organic compound, it works with your body to conquer chronic pain. Your body absorbs it more slowly than aspirin, so it doesn’t “shock” your system. And because of its slow release action, it stays in your system longer and provides lasting relief – even better than prescription drugs.

The science backs me up on this. The American Journal of Medicine published a study where researchers split a set of chronic back pain sufferers into two groups. The first took white willow bark extract while the second took a sugar pill. White willow bark extract completely eliminated all pain in 39 percent of the first group. Only 6 percent of the second group experienced any pain relief.

Scientists published a similar study in the journal Phytomedicine , using white willow bark with folks suffering from severe lower back pain over an 18-month period. In the white willow bark group, 40 percent were pain-free after only 4 weeks. The same was true for only 18 percent of the second group. And here’s the twist: the second group didn’t take white willow bark, but they were allowed to take whatever prescription drugs they wanted.

And that’s just a sample of the available clinical research. The fact is, white willow bark extract works for tension headaches, migraines, muscle and back pain, even arthritis.

Now you can see why I’m so excited.

At first I planned to use white willow bark extract on its own with my patients. But I found it was even more effective when combined with my number one pain fighting formula.

My formula contains a unique blend of completely natural, highly effective pain relievers, including natural sulfurs and ginger root. Sulfur has been known to cure pain for as long as white willow bark. Trojan warriors soaked in natural sulfur springs to heal joint pain. The Chinese have been using ginger root to treat chronic pain for centuries. Of course, neither of them have any side effects.

What’s more, both of these natural ingredients also enjoy a clinically proven track record. The prestigious British Journal of Sports Medicine published a study on arthritis of the knee and glucosamine sulfate, one of the key compounds in my formula. Nearly 80 percent of people with joint pain experienced complete relief, and 70 percent showed improved joint movement. And a Danish study found that 100 percent of people given ginger root experienced complete relief from osteoarthritis pain.

And now that I’ve found an excellent supplier, you’ll be able to add white willow bark to your pain-fighting arsenal.

I haven’t made my new Primal Flex formula with white willow bark available to the general public. But I want to extend a special, pre-sale offer to my regular readers.

Try it risk free today, CLICK HERE.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

1 Chrubasik et al. “Treatment of low back pain exacerbations with willow bark extract: a randomized double blind study.” American Journal of Medicine. 2000;109:9-14.

2 Chrubasik et al, “Potential economic impact of using a proprietary willow bark extract in outpatient treatment of low back pain: An open non-randomized study,” Phytomedicine. 2001, 8(4):241-251.

3 Bennett et al. “Predictors of symptomatic response to glucosamine in knee osteoarthritis.” British Journal of Sports Medicine. Jan 29, 2007.

4 Altman et al. “Effects of a ginger extract on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis.” Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2001. 44(11):2531-8.

You’ll want to know this… My Wellness Research Center just found a powerful new ally in the fight against arthritis. I’ve been working on this problem for years and thanks to my research team, I’ve made a breakthrough.

Most folks don’t need hardcore painkillers, either. Like my patient “BG.”

BG loves working outdoors. Every season for 20 years, she tended her garden, turning the soil with spades and trowels, planting perennials and harvesting tomatoes. Then the pain started…

When BG first came to see me, her doctors had her convinced her gardening days were over. They told her: “Your arthritis is too far gone… And besides, joint pain is simply part of the aging process…”

She believed them. When she wasn’t on the drugs they gave her, the pain came right back. But I gave her something much safer and more effective: White willow bark.

White willow bark is the original aspirin. Bayer began manufacturing aspirin after creating a synthetic form in the 1800s. It comes from a tree native to Europe and Asia.

The medicinal use of willow bark dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who took advantage of its anti-inflammatory power. The ancient Greek doctor Hippocrates had his patients chew on white willow bark to reduce fever and inflammation.

White willow bark contains salicin, the same curative compound found in aspirin. But there’s big difference: White willow bark won’t upset your stomach, because your body first has to extract it from the plant’s natural fibers, slowing its release into your system.

And it’s proven effective. A study in the American Journal of Medicine looked at salicin’s effectiveness for lower back pain. Researchers gave 120 mg, 240 mg, or a placebo to three different groups every day for a month.

In the fourth and final week of the study, 39% of the group on 240 mg of salicin were pain-free for at least 5 days, compared to 21% in the 120 mg group and only 6% in the placebo group.1

You can find white willow bark extract in health food stores or on line. I recommend 240 mg per day.

Or you can get it in my new Primal Flex formula. It has all of Nature’s most potent pain fighters, in the right combination, and in a form your body can use. Unlike expensive drugs, my formula goes straight to the root cause of joint pain with no side effects.

My patients and readers love it because it works. The new Primal Flex with white willow bark is almost ready, so keep an eye out… I’ll let you know before it gets released to the general public.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

________________________________________

1 Chrubasik et al, “Treatment of low back pain exacerbations with willow bark extract: A randomized double-blind study,” American Journal of Medicine, 2000, 109: 9-14.

Chronic pain is one of the biggest concerns patients ask me about. Drug companies make billions selling products they say will solve your problem. But their products don’t offer a real solution. In fact, they often come with severe side effects, like increased risk of heart attack or in some cases, death.

But you don’t need drugs to deal with pain. You have more control over your experience of pain than you think. I’ll show you a simple exercise you can do right now that will ease your stress and lower your pain level. First, I’ll show you why stress and pain can get to a chronic, or unending state.

When patients come with pain I run a few tests. I check the level of cortisol, your stress hormone and DHEA, your “times are good” hormone. When these two are out of balance, your life can get tough.

When our ancestors lived in their original, native environment, life was generally quiet. There was no traffic or loud sounds. You never faced the threat of losing your job or filing for divorce or bankruptcy. The biggest stress usually involved being chased by wild animals or getting caught in a storm.

But those were always temporary stresses. And when they occurred, their bodies released cortisol to help them cope. Cortisol shuts down your long-term management systems and allows you to put all your energy into the crisis at hand. When the stressful situation is over, DHEA is released and you regain a sense of well being.

But when your stress buttons are pushed every day, cortisol stays in your blood stream much longer than it should. It’s like an alarm bell that never stops ringing. Over time, your muscles lock up and your body has a hard time performing its daily tasks. This is the beginning of chronic pain.

You can directly influence these hormones by learning a few techniques that help you cope with stress. When I was in India, I learned meditations that release stress and strengthen your focus and sense of stability. Some of them are as easy as sitting on the edge of a chair, keeping your back straight and counting your breaths as you exhale.

This is effective, but it takes a lot of practice. Other meditations that use visualizations can help you release stress and pain right away. Here’s one I learned from The Hypnosis Network:

You can do it sitting up or lying down: Your choice. Start by inhaling through your nose – holding your breath for a moment – and then exhaling through your mouth. While you’re doing this, feel your muscles starting to unwind and visualize these simple words: Breath = Comfort.

As you continue to breathe slowly, focus your concentration on the muscles of your eyes. You tend to hold a lot of tension in your eyes and face. And this leads to chronic conditions throughout your body.

As you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, imagine this feeling of comfort moving from your eyes up towards your brow, around your ears and over your head. As your face starts to relax, bring the corners of your mouth up into a gentle smile.

Allow yourself to release everything you may be holding on to… Fear, worry, constriction… all of it drops away as this feeling of comfort works its way down your body. Continue until you reach the tips of your toes.

This meditation helps break the chain of compulsive responses to your environment. Do it often enough, and you’ll find you don’t get as stressed out as you used to…

For more pain solutions, CLICK HERE.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

Unfortunately the drug companies don’t tell you this… but you should know that common pain pills can give you high blood pressure.

Trying to find reliable pain relief is a common problem for my patients. Like many folks, they turn to the common drugs: Aspirin (Tylenol) and other readily available “analgesics,” like ibuprofen (Advil).

This is an understandable choice – but you need to at least be informed. Today, you’ll see the risks and you’ll get some simple alternatives. By the time you read to the end of this letter, you’ll know a better way to calm the underlying cause of joint pain. And if you have to take a pain pill you can add a nutrient to help control your blood pressure while you’re on the drug.

A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that those who take painkillers most days of the week were about 33% more likely to develop high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease. Not an appealing trade-off.1

Truth is, there are a number of ways to reduce joint pain and muscle aches without resorting to drugs. The first is dietary. Most Americans unknowingly eat foods that contribute to the problem of swollen, painful joints.

Specifically, their diet contains too much omega-6 fatty acids. This substance is a necessary nutrient, but too much of it leads to inflammation. Inflammation is the root cause of many kinds of pain, from arthritis to muscle aches.

The answer is to consume less omega-6 and more omega-3 fatty acids. In this country, the average dietary ratio between the two is about 20:1. You want to bring that down to about 2:1.

It’s not as hard as it sounds. You can boost omega-3 levels by eating more grass fed lean meat, fish, eggs, and poultry (organic or wild-caught). Nuts are also great sources of omega-3.

Finally, you can take cod liver oil supplements. For many of my patients one tablespoon a day – taken regularly – relieves aches and pains.

Another option is to offset the hypertension caused by these drugs through natural supplements. The most effective is a nutrient called CoQ10. You’ll probably never hear it mentioned by the medical establishment, but it’s highly effective at reducing blood pressure without any dangerous side effects.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension followed two groups of people with high blood pressure. One group took CoQ10 for eight weeks while the other took placebo. The CoQ10 group showed a significant reduction in blood pressure.2

CoQ10 provides energy for your heart and other major organs. I’ve had great success treating high blood pressure with CoQ10. What’s more, it’s affordable and readily available at most health food stores (or on line). Just make sure to avoid the powder form – it’s not easily absorbed. Look for the “gel caps.”

All this is not to say that taking conventional painkillers once in a while is harmful to your health. But if you’re taking them on a regular basis, start looking for an effective alternative now. Try and follow Nature’s path to pain relief. In the end, your heart will thank you for it.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

1 Forman, et al. Analgesic Use and Risk of Hypertension Among Men. Archives of Internal Medicine 167(2007):394-399.

2 Singh, et al. Coenzyme Q10 on blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Journal of Human Hypertension, 13(1999):203-208.

Here’s something you can use…

Not long ago, a patient with arthritis came to my office after her internal medicine doctor gave her Celebrex. With the recent scandals surrounding Vioxx and Celebrex, she was worried about the side effects yet when I recommended an herb called Devil’s Claw, you should have seen her double take… You’ve probably never heard of it either, but it’s very effective at relieving joint pain.

Devil’s Claw is a thorny, woody flowering plant native to the dry regions around Namibia and Botswana in southern Africa. But I first found Devil’s Claw in the jungles of Peru. It made its way to Europe in the 19th century, and then spread to South America.

Despite its name, Devil’s Claw has many healing properties. Studies have proven its effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and even lower back pain.1,2 Its active ingredients, called harpagosides, can also boost your digestion and your immune response.

Devil’s Claw has an effect similar to the “Cox-2” anti-inflammatory drugs like Vioxx and Celebrex, but without the risky side effects. And the science backs it up: A study published in the journal Rheumatology compared a Devil’s Claw extract of 60 mg harpagosides a day and 12.5 mg a day of Vioxx for 6 weeks in 79 patients with severe lower back pain. Devil’s Claw turned out to be just as effective as Vioxx.3

Doctors in Europe prescribe Devil’s Claw commonly. According to a study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, sales of Devil’s Claw in Germany are about $41 million per year, accounting for 74% of all prescriptions for rheumatoid arthritis.4

A few words of caution: Devil’s Claw can stimulate uterine contractions, so pregnant women should avoid it (unless you’re trying to give birth). Devil’s Claw also interacts with anti-coagulants like Warfarin, and shouldn’t be taken together.

Devil’s Claw is available in capsule, tincture, and tea form. You can easily find them at your local health food store.

If you’re taking a capsule, start with 600 mg three times a day. Look for 50 mg to 100 mg of the active ingredient harpagoside in each capsule.

For the dried root, doses of 0.5 to 1.5 grams three times per day in a water-based solution (like a cup of tea…) are typical.

As a tincture, I’d recommend doses of 0.2 to one milliliter (1:5 in 25 percent alcohol) three times per day.

As with all herbal remedies, talk to your doctor before starting your treatment.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

________________________________________

1 Chrubasik S et al. “Effectiveness of Harpagophytum extract WS 1531 in the treatment of exacerbation of low back pain: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.” European Journal of Anaesthesiology. 16.2 (1999):118-29.

2 Dougados M et al. “Evaluation of the structure-modifying effects of diacerein in hip osteoarthritis: ECHODIAH, a three-year, placebo-controlled trial. Evaluation of the 2 Chondromodulating Effect of Diacerein in OA of the Hip.” Arthritis and Rheumatism. 44.11 (2001):2539-47.

3 Chrubasik S et al. “A randomized double-blind pilot study comparing Doloteffin and Vioxx in the treatment of low back pain.” Rheumatology (Oxford). 42.1 (2003):141-8.

4 Stewart KM and Cole D. “The commercial harvest of devil’s claw (Harpagophytum spp.) in southern Africa: the devil’s in the details.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 100.3 (2005):225-36.

Do your joints hurt? I’ve seen active, productive people struck down by joint pain. Some have trouble just getting out of bed in the morning.

But go to a doctor and they’re likely to hand you a prescription for a COX-II inhibiting pain killer like Celebrex or Bextra. Aside from the increased risk of heart attack and death attributed to drugs like Celebrex, there’s really no evidence that they’re any more effective than aspirin! But doctors continue to dole out prescriptions…

In a quest to find a pain reliever – without the side effects – I researched just about every formula that’s hit the market since the 1990’s. And I have to say, I was disappointed with 98 percent of them.

Today, I’ll tell you my number one natural choice – MSM.

MSM stands for Methylsulfonylmethane. It’s the bio-available form of sulfur and can be found in many foods. It’s also in your body.

One interesting study at the Arthritis Health Center in Arizona tracked 50 adults over the age of 40 with knee osteoarthritis. One group took MSM twice a day – the other group took a placebo. Those who used the MSM enjoyed a dramatic decrease in arthritis pain and impaired physical function. The MSM also improved their ability to perform daily activities.1

What’s more, the MSM group saw reductions in both homocysteine – a risk factor for heart disease and malondialdehyde – a marker of oxidative stress. (Not only is MSM a powerful pain reliever, it’s also a remarkable antioxidant!)

In a future Doctor’s Call, I’ll tell you about some other nutrients you can combine MSM with to make it more effective at lower doses. By itself, I use a dose of 850mg per day.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

___________________________________

1 Kim L. et al. Efficacy of Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: A Pilot Clinical Trial. Press Release. Sep 2005.

In today’s Health Alert, I’ll tell you about a remarkable nutrient widely used in Europe – but virtually unused by American doctors. It relieves joint pain and depression as well as anti-depressants, but without the side effects.

Nature’s Mood Enhancer and Pain Reliever

I’m talking about SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine). SAMe is naturally present in every cell in your body. Its natural function is to:

• Maintain cell growth and health

• Prevent DNA mutations

• Help produce melatonin (for mood and sleep)

• Help produce acetylcholine (for memory)

Both pain and depression can have serious consequences. And drugs can make problems worse. Doctors often prescribe medications with a range of serious side effects, such as NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and anti-depressants.

What’s worse, is that many of these drugs are addictive. And because of the long lapse before these medications begin to work, many people take too many.

SAMe: Safe and Clinically Proven

You don’t have to take these risky medicines to get relief. SAMe can help tremendously.

Scientists have been diligently studying SAMe since the 1980’s. They have reported numerous trials in which SAMe has worked just as well as anti-depressants. And SAMe was overwhelmingly better tolerated than the drugs in every study.

In 2002, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study that compared SAMe and the drug imipramine’s effectiveness for the improvement of major depression. One group took SAMe, while the other took imipramine for 6 weeks.

Both groups had an equal positive improvement. However, the SAMe group reported considerably less adverse side effects. SAMe was just as good as the drug and better tolerated.1

Researchers are also interested in SAMe as a pain reliever. It raises levels of dopamine in the body. Dopamine is responsible for that “feel good” mood. SAMe can not only make you feel better; it can help to correct swollen joints. SAMe helps to create glucosamine in the body. Glucosamine is a building block of joint cartilage.

The Journal of Rheumatology published a study proving the effectiveness of SAMe for joint pain. Researchers studied patients with osteoarthritic knee pain. Participants either took SAMe or a placebo for 23 days. Scientists measured their improvement on standardized pain scales. Those taking SAMe had a “significantly greater reduction in overall pain…” than those taking the placebo.2

SAMe is widely available. You can find it in health food stores, drug stores and on the internet. I recommend starting with 200mg of SAMe a day. If there is little improvement after 2 weeks, I increase the dose to 400mg once a day. I occasionally work up to 400mg twice a day.

The only side effects I have seen with SAMe are upset stomach – or very rarely, a skin rash which resolves when you stop taking it.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears MD

1 Delle C et al., Efficacy and tolerability of oral and intrramuscular S-adenosyl-l-methionine 1, 4-butanedisulfonate (SAMe) in the treatment of major depression: comparison with imipramine in 2 multicenter studies. Am J Clin Nutr 2002 Nov; 76(5): 1172S-1176S

2 Bradley J. et al., A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial of oral SAM therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol 1994 May; 21(5): 905-911

A few weeks ago, a patient came to me complaining of joint pain. The arthritis in her knee was getting worse. Her family doctor recommended surgery.

I’m glad she came to me first… In many cases, knee surgery just doesn’t work. In today’s Health Alert, I’ll show you why. I’ll also give you some better – non-surgical – options.

The Truth Behind Knee Surgery

There are two approaches to knee surgery: One is arthroscopic lavage and debridement. The other is tidal irrigation.

The two surgeries focus on the same idea. Knee pain is caused when the cartilage in the joint becomes rough. Fragments of cartilage and calcium irritate the joint causing inflammation and pain. Lavage, debridement, and irrigation surgeries are techniques for cleaning this debris out of the joint.

The concept makes sense. But, the reality – as proven by two well-known studies – is very different.

In one, patients were divided into three groups.  One group had arthroscopic lavage, the other, arthroscopic debridement. The third group had “fake” surgery. In this case, the patients went into the operating room, were given an IV tranquilizer and an oxygen mask.

Skin incisions were made to simulate those of the true surgery, but no surgery was actually performed. Neither the patients nor the post-operative staff knew who had real and who had fake surgeries.

Pain and performance levels were measured 7 times over 2 years (walking speed and stair climbing). There was no more improvement in the 2 surgery groups than in the fake surgery group.

The second study examined tidal irrigation surgery.  One group had tidal irrigation surgery; the other had “fake” surgery.

In the fake surgery, a needle was passed through soft tissue but not all of the way into the joint capsule. This mimicked real surgery. The patients were unable to tell if they had real surgery or fake surgery.

Function, swelling and pain were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery. Again, there was no difference between those who had surgery and those who didn’t.

The number of people having these worthless surgeries is alarming. Instead of proving the surgery doesn’t work after it has already been performed many times over, doctors must prove that a surgery works before making it a public service.

Here’s a Safer Path to Better Health

So, what do you do if you have osteoarthritis knee pain? First, if you have an acute injury to your knee, you may need an orthopedic surgeon. For chronic, longer-term problems, a surgical approach should be the last alternative. Here are some more natural solutions to try first.

• Non-weight Bearing Exercise: Note: If you have arthritis in your knees, do not go out and walk or jog for exercise. This will only make the problem worse. You need a type of exercise that will allow inflammation to subside and prevent further wear and tear from overuse. Swimming is excellent. Bicycling and controlled strength training are good.

• Weight Loss: Like so many problems in medicine, optimizing your weight may allow your body to heal itself.

• Supplements: Don’t bother with calcium pills. They won’t help. You can reduce inflammation with white willow tea. You can get it at nutrition stores. Try a cup after breakfast and at bedtime.

You can help rebuild the joint with MSM (methylsufonlymethane) and glucosamine. You can find them in combination. You need at least 200 mg of each. You can increase them up to 1000 mg of each. They may take several weeks to have their full effect.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

Are you are using drugs like Vioxx and Celebrex but concerned about their dangerous side effects?

You can wipe out pain by using natural pain relievers. I’ll show you five herbs that are safe and effective. They are completely free of dangerous side effects. You’ll also see some new science backing up these natural solutions.

The drug makers recently claimed that their new category of pain pills would beat arthritis pain forever. They called them COX-2 inhibitors because of the way they work. The makers said they were safer. But after years of use we learned they dramatically increase risks to your heart.

Concerned over this increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, you may have gone back to the old remedies: aspirin, Advil and naproxen. But remember why these drugs were a problem to begin with. Long-term use causes internal bleeding.

The good new is that herbs can offer you a safer, time tested – and less expensive – alternative to these medications.

When it comes to joint pain and arthritis, these herbs are my five most effective:

Stephania Tetrandra is an herb used in China and Korea to treat a variety of problems like arthritis and high blood pressure. The ingredients, Tet and Fang reduce inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also effective for many allergy symptoms.(1) To get the best effect from this remarkable herb, take 400 to 600 mg daily.

Boswellin is an Indian herb and a natural arthritis fighter worth trying. Ayurvedic medicine has used it for centuries to maintain joint health. Today, boswellin shows promise in relieving stiff, swollen joints and arthritis. It works by increasing blood supply to joints and reducing the complex carbs that cause inflammation.(2) You can get it at health food stores in capsules. Take 450 to 750 mg daily.

White Willow Bark is an ancient joint remedy dating back more than 2,400 years. Some arthritis sufferers not only experienced pain relief, but increased mobility in their back, knees, hips and other joints.(3) You’ll it in a number of joint remedies as well as individual supplements. The active ingredient is salicin. Take 60 to 120 mg a day.

Red Grape Leaves also reduce joint pain naturally. Red grape leaves contain a powerful phytochemical called resveratrol.(4) It’s the same phytochemical in grape juice and red wine. You can also find red grape leaves in 600mcg capsules.

Holy Basil is a special type of basil that contains dozens of inflammation reducing nutrients including one called ursolic acid.(5) I recommend 150mg capsules 4 times a day.

In addition to herbs, there are two other ways to help you with inflammation:

• Eliminate sugar and grains from your diet. This is critical. The insulin spikes and resultant biochemical changes are inflammatory. They can make arthritis symptoms worse.
• Increase omega-3 fats in your diet. They are quite effective in reducing inflammation. Good sources include cold-water fish, eggs, nuts, avocados, olives and grass-fed red meat. Cod Liver Oil is one of the most potent ways to get your omega-3s and reduce inflammation. – I prescribe it to many of my patients.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

(1) Choi H et al. Anti-inflammatory effects of fangchinoline and tetrandrine. J Ethnopharm.l 2000, 69:173-179.

(2) Safayhi, H., Mack, T., Sabieraj, J., et al. Boswellic acids: Novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. Journal of Pharmacology and. Experimental. Therapies. 1992: 261(3):1143-1146.

(3) Tunon, H., et al.. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of some Swedish medicinal plants. Inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis and PAF-induced exocytosis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1995; 48(2):61-76.

(4) Subbaramaiah K, et al. Reseveratrol inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 transcription and activity in phorbol ester-treated human mammary epithelial cells. Journal of Biology and Chemistry. 1998; 273(34):21875-21882.

(5) Ringbom T, Segura L, Noreen Y, et al. Ursolic acid from Plantago major, a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis. Journal of Natural Products. 1998; 61(10), 1212-1215.