What can help period pain? – Part 2
In part 1, I introduced the topic of period pain. In this blog post, I want to explore the topic from the perspective of functional medicine practitioners who believe that period pains are caused by certain nutritional deficiencies particularly vitamin B, magnesium and essential fatty acids.
There is evidence that magnesium can reduce the sensitivity to pain. In one study 21 out of 25 women treated with magnesium for six months saw a reduction in the period pain.
In one scientific study over 500 women aged between 12 to 21 with moderate to severe period pain took vitamin B1. 87% were completely cured after 3 months. Just 5% saw no effect at all, while 8% saw their pain reduced. There is also scientific evidence that vitamin B6 may be useful too.
Finally, there is scientific evidence that Acupuncture can be a safe and effective treatment for period pain.
References
Magnesium reference see >> https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27978803, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11687013,
Vitamin B reference see >> https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8935744, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1459624/
Acupuncture references see >> https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29879061 and https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2017/1791258/abs/
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Heel Pain – Part 2 – Grumbling Achilles Tendon
Last week I discussed Plantar Fasciitis one of the major causes of heel pain, this week I am going to discuss a grumbling achilles tendon, or to be technically correct, non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy, he other major cause of heel pain. Although a rupture of the Achilles is well known, it is actually more common to have what is known as a grumbling Achilles. The pain is felt at the back of the heel above where the Achilles tendon joins the bone. It feels stiff and swollen, particularly in the morning and can prevent the sufferer from taking part in sport. Sometimes the pain is lower down where the tendon joins the bone. How can I tell if my heel pain is a grumbling achilles tendon? You may have swelling over or either side of your achilles tendon which runs from your heel to your calf muscles. The skin over the achilles tendon may be red and/or hot. If you sit down with your feet on the floor and raise your foot, as you use your achilles tendon you may hear a crackling sensation. What causes a grumbling achilles tendon?
- The tab on your shoe rubbing against your achilles tendon.
- Failing to warm up properly before playing sports.
- Over use of the tendon from intensive training, e.g. running
- Scar tissue from a previous injury.
- High impact on hard surfaces e.g. any sport where you jump or tennis.

An alternative way to do simple mindfulness (Part 2)
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Natural treatment for cold sores
A common treatment for cold sores is antiviral cream called aciclovir. A new randomised controlled trial of nearly 1,000 adults with cold sores where they either applied aciclovir cream or medical grade New Zealand manuka honey to the cold sore. There was no significant difference in the time taken for the cold sore to heal:
- 8 days for aciclovir cream
- 9 days with New Zealand medical grade manuka honey

