I've been dealing with lower back pain for some time and found out I have a herniated disk. I was going to get a cortisone injection, but I found out that it'll cost me over $700 after insurance, and the effects are short lived. The other option is surgery which, while likely a more long term solution, will be much more expensive and will have me pretty much out of commission for 6 to 8 weeks.

Before I take that step, I'm looking into natural anti-inflammatories. I know you can't really miracle away a herniated disk, but according to my doctor, the pain associated with it is due to an inflammatory reaction to it hitting my spinal nerve on occasion, based either on my sleeping position or if I stand up or bend over without first locking down my core muscles.

I was just wondering if any of you have tried using curcumin for musclo-skeletal issues and what results, if any, you've seen.

Thanks!

I'd recommend a combination of Tumeric, Ginger, and White Willow Bark. Along with a diet high in raw fruit and vegetables.

I take it regularly to deal with nagging wrestling/lifting injuries along with turmeric milk. It works very well at reducing pain, but you will still need to take it easy and allow plenty of time to rest and heal if you are engaging in athletic endeavours. A side benefit is that it gives wonderfully refreshing and deep sleep.

If you want to forego the cortisone injects and don't mind jabbing research peptides TB500 helped alot with some back issues. It's a research peptide, so do your research and use at your own risk. Still better than cortisone IMO.

A

Thanks guys.

@RussianWolf, I'm actually turning to a more raw centered diet. I don't think I'll ever give up completely on red meat or meats in general, but I'm limiting myself to fish and white meat chicken overall, and will indulge in a steak maybe once a month. Otherwise, I've been doing a lot with green smoothies as meal replacements for breakfast and lunch and limiting my snacking to the occasional handful of nuts and/or berries. I think that alone has given me an improvement in my back, as I'm also losing weight that I had been slowly regaining over the last few years. I let down my guard this morning while doing laundry and bent over the wrong way, causing a very sudden reminder that I need to pay attention to my back.

Turmeric is great for inflammation. Chiming in to what RussianWolf said, White willow is where tylenol comes from, so be careful with that one. I wouldn't take it all the time. Ginger is also a great option and goes well with Turmeric. I agree that a change in diet will also be helpful although I have nothing new to add here as far as insight goes. If you have never heard of Apple Cider Vinegar I would look into that as it is extremely helpful with inflammation and has a host of other health benefits. If the taste isnt your thing (I HATE vinegar) then amazon has a few brands to choose from for purchasing ACV capsules.

Something you may also consider is CBD. It is derived from pot and is responsible for most of the medical effects of the plan but it is not psychoactive, aka it does not make you high or alter your perception, and the molecule alone is legal in the US. For a cheaper option, as CBD can be expensive, look into Rick Simpson oil on YouTube. It is a home brew extract which involves purchasing pot. I don't know where you stand on that matter so just food for thought. I make home-brew canna capsules and they help tremendously with muscle pain.

Thanks, Arsenic.

I've seen articles here and there about ACV, but I have to admit, most of it seemed a little too good to be true. I'm a natural skeptic when it comes to alternative treatments, and I only gave curcumin serious thought after reading up about its cancer fighting properties. My sister was diagnosed with uterine cancer and just had a radical hysterectomy, and will be undergoing chemo pretty soon. I was doing some research on her behalf, and found that curcumin has had some pretty serious medical research, with many entries in various Journals of Medicine. I discovered it was also great for inflammation, which is why I am considering it for myself. I'll definitely do more research on ACV and see if that will be something useful for me.

I think you meant aspirin, regarding White Willow Bark. I may have to look into that as well, since I have a sensitivity to regular aspirin and other NSAIDs.

I've also read about CBD. I'm not generally opposed to pot when consumed responsibly, much as I feel with alcohol, but I don't partake due to my work situation. Even if it was legal for rec use in my state (which it isn't), my company is a government contractor and abides by federal law in matters like this. While CBD is indeed legal here-- it's sold in my local vape shop, for example-- I would be concerned about whether it appears in drug tests as a hit.

(03-05-2017 5:04 PM)Data4 Wrote:  I've seen articles here and there about ACV, but I have to admit, most of it seemed a little too good to be true. I'm a natural skeptic when it comes to alternative treatments, and I only gave curcumin serious thought after reading up about its cancer fighting properties. My sister was diagnosed with uterine cancer and just had a radical hysterectomy, and will be undergoing chemo pretty soon. I was doing some research on her behalf, and found that curcumin has had some pretty serious medical research, with many entries in various Journals of Medicine. I discovered it was also great for inflammation, which is why I am considering it for myself. I'll definitely do more research on ACV and see if that will be something useful for me.

I've seen those articles also. I guess the only way to know for sure is to try using a standardized extract at safe doses. Only eating fruits and veggies is excellent. No dairy, or anything that has hormones in it. No meats. High doses of vitamin C, at least 3 Gm a day, some recommend up to 10 Gm daily.

You may have seen this video on YouTube, called Cancer; The Forbidden Cures. In it they show a number of cures that got buried by the medical establishment, the first one in the series is called ESSIAC. It's sold online. So, watch this video, and see what you think. Look up ESSIAC. Many people in the documentary swear by it.