Health/Natural: Hip Pain

Q. I have been having pain in my right hip since March 3. 2001. In February 2001 I had fallen on it while walking on ice about 4 times that month. I have gone from doctor to doctor and have received several different diagnosis. One was osteoarthritis, one was osteoporosis (but he was going to treat it as soft tissue damage), stretched tendons and ligaments and now a bone bruise.

I have been put on 200 mg of Celebrex twice a day for the next month. My question is this, is there an alternative to Celebrex that would help with pain and inflammation? I have tried glucosimine and that made the pain so bad I could not even walk! I have a constant ache deep in the hip and from time to time it will intensify and shoot down the thigh bone and also along the spine.

I am only 35 and have many goals left. I would like to find a natural medication I can take that would help. I have been studying herbs for the past few years, but would like to hear from someone who knows more about them.

Thank you for your time and consideration to this problem.

A. Falling four times in one month certainly is extreme. The first thing I think of is whether you contacted a good chiropractor in your area. Chiropractic care can certainly address injury issues such as yours, helping your body to learn how to re-align itself, thereby relieving strain on tendons, ligaments and muscles. See if you can get a good referral for a chiropractor and see what she/he says in the first consultation about treatment and prognosis for healing your situation.

As we know, most prescription drugs work as "suppressants," literally suppressing symptoms down into the body with little or no real resolution of the deeper problem. At times, prescription drugs can be very valuable, even life-saving, so we don't want to discount them altogether. Rather, it is important to be in tune with what treatment your body and physical situation is asking for true rebalancing. Along with chiropractic care, here are some options to consider:

Glucosamine with Chondroitin & MSM: Glucosamine has become known as the #1 choice (many medical doctors even recommend it for their patients) for long-term rebuilding of healthy cartilage in the joints. This is the key - "long-term." It takes time, usually 1 to 3 months, for the body to start responding to the mineral support of glucosamine and start building back healthy cartilage, which then can reduce inflammation and pain. I have seen good results in clients within the first week, but some will need to take it daily for several months before they start to notice improvements. It all depends on the degree of injury/deteriorization of the joints. There is a wide variety of glucosamine on the market, and there are certain brands which clearly show a higher guarantee of purity and potency. Make sure you try a good quality brand.

For more stubborn situations, I have found through observing my clients' progress that trying a formulation with glucosamine, chondroitin (another mineral) and MSM (an organic sulfur compound derived from garlic, onions and other similar plants which significantly can reduce inflammation and pain) can dramatically aid in recovery. Also, if you choose to try this approach again, make sure you take 1500 - 2000 mg. of glucosamine per day (the amount of chondroitin and MSM can vary depending upon the formula).

One more thought on this subject: Did you stop the Celebrex and then start taking the glucosamine? If you did, it may be possible that you did not give your body the necessary amount of time to start building healthy cartilage before stopping the Celebrex, which then left you wide open for lots of pain and could have made you think it was the glucosamine that "made the pain so bad you couldn't walk." Since the Celebrex and the glucosamine work on two entirely different levels in the body, it may be possible to try both together for several months and then possibly wean off the Celebrex (please check with your Medical Doctor on this and for her/his assistance in weaning you off the Celebrex).

One of my favorite herbs to consider for inflammation and pain is Turmeric, Curcuma longa. A plant closely related to ginger, it is a rhizome which has a great history. Yes, this is the same culinary herb used for centuries in recipes from the Far East and Middle East, and a natural plant dye for Buddhist monks' robes, but it also has wonderful health benefits, which we are only re-discovering in recent years. I work with it primarily as an anti-inflammatory nutrient and for pain in cases of injury and also various forms of arthritis. Over a period of time, it can support the liver, gently cleanse the blood and reduce pain and help with bruising. Try to get a 400 mg./95% curcumin potency on the one you try as I have found this potency to most effective. You may want to try 2-4 per day.

Essential fatty acids (EFA's) are very important to consider in your type of situation. These beneficial oils are very lacking in our daily diets, and are necessary to protect everything from nerves, to muscles, to bones. They literally can help "oil" our joints, lubricating tendons, ligaments and cartilage, too. Some choices are: flax oil (my favorite, use a tablespoon per day if you can), borage oil, evening primrose oil or cold-water fish oil such as salmon or cod liver oil. All these are available in capsules.

Good luck with your recovery.

©Copyright 2002 by AlternativeApproaches.com

Susie Cooper, ND earned her Doctor of Naturopathy degree at the Southern College of Naturopathic Medicine, and is Board Licensed and Certified. She has continued most of her study in Classical Homeopathy with the New England School of Homeopathy. Dr. Susie has taught workshops in homeopathy, herbal medicine and nutrition in North Carolina for many years. She now teaches all her workshops in her shop, Blue Mountain Herbs & Supplements, in beautiful Pilot Mountain, NC, where she also takes private appointments for herbal, nutritional and homeopathic assessments. (336) 368-5955.

Important note: The information contained in this column is not meant to diagnose or prescribe for specific ailments, but is intended for educational support only. Please seek the advise of a licensed health practitioner for specific illnesses and emergency situations.