Understanding The Pathology Of Pain, Science Catches Up To Reiki

As those who suffer from chronic pain conditions know, there has been very little research thus far, into the methods which help to control or alleviate chronic pain and that most of what Western medicine has to offer does little or nothing to help us cope. That there are finally scientists who are researching the pathology of pain, is in and of itself a major breakthrough and to many nothing less than a miracle and answer to our prayers. Science has been sorely lacking in giving much needed credibility to the reality hundreds of thousands of women live with every day.

The May 2007 edition of Alternative Medicine has done an amazing job at reporting on the pathology of pain in regard to TMJD and reports on those who are studying and researching this disorder and pain in general.

In this edition they report the findings of Dr. William Maixner of the Center for Neurosensory Disorders at the University of North Carolina and Dr. Linda LeReshe, ScD of the University of Washington School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Dr. Maixner’s research has shown that women suffering from chronic sensory disorders (such as fibromyalgia, IBS, chronic fatigue, migraines, tension headaches, TMJD and Vulvodynia) may have “a genetically based “dis-regulation” in their body’s pain processing system which amplifies pain signals and pain perception.”

Dr. Maixner believes that pain is a disease which affects the nervous and immune system. His seven year clinical trial began in 2006 “to identify the risk determinants that predict the susceptibility to TMJD.” He is looking for genes and other biological factors. His study has already shown that women with a particular gene sequence linked to high pain threshold are less likely to develop TMJD.

Dr. Linda LeReshe is studying the link between pain and hormones. Through her research she notes that 80% of those with TMJD are women and that there are more cases reported during women’s childbearing years than before or after. The same has been found true in studies of migraine sufferers. Dr. LeReshe says that “low estrogen causes the perception of more pain.” She believes that “rapid fluctuation of hormones is a cause of increased pain, which is what happens around the time we menstruate.”

Alternative Medicine goes on to report that “emerging evidence suggest that some patients benefit from Acupuncture, herbs, and naturopathic treatment, which may involve hands-on healing techniques such as Reiki…a study of 160 women at Portland Oregon TMJD Specialty Clinic found that patients receiving traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathy experienced more pain relief than those with standard care.”

Also in the May 2007 edition of Alternative Medicine are the findings from the Journal of Alternative Medicine on how to treat Alzheimer’s disease. They found that receiving Reiki once a week for four weeks demonstrated significantly improved memory and reduction of behavioral problems.

The May edition of Alternative Medicine can be purchased for $4.95 and is sold at Barnes and Noble.