Natural Alternatives to Musculoskeletal Trauma

Traumatic musculoskeletal and discogenic injuries are commonly associated with sports participation. Inflammation with pain, swelling, and erythema is the body's natural response to injury. In an attempt to reduce pain and swelling, athletes often use antiinflammatory agents that act on the arachidonic acid/COX and the NF-κB pathways mediating inflammation. Unfortunately, pharmacological agents designed to interfere with these pathways often have undesirable side effects such as gastric ulceration and, infrequently, myocardial infarction and stroke.

For centuries, natural antiinflammatory agents have been used to mediate the inflammatory process. More recently, many of these have been found to reduce inflammation in a similar manner to pharmacological agents but often with fewer side effects. Several plant-derived natural preperations that could reduce costs and side effects in patients who use them, with similar effectiveness in treating the inflammatory reaction to trauma are available.

Boswellia Serrata Resin (Frankincense) - Boswellia Complex
Curcumin (Turmeric) - Tumeric (liquid) and Boswellia Complex
Uncaria Tomentosa (Cat's Claw) - Cat's Claw Forte and Cat's Claw Liquid
Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) - HerbaVital
Green Tea - Vitanox
White Willow Bark - Salegisic
Omega-3 EFAs (Fish Oil) - Tuna Omega 3 and Calamari Oil
Vitamin D - Cataplex D