Question: Is there any natural substance that will help ruptured disks? What is your opinion on cortisone?
Dr. Blaylock's Answer:
Cortisone is used as an acute treatment when a disc ruptures. When the disc releases its contents, it jams into the nerve at that level and pinches it against the bone of the spine. This causes the nerve to swell and become inflamed.
Studies have shown that compressed nerves are only painful when inflamed. This is why cortisone helps — it reduces the swelling and blocks inflammation. Long-term use of cortisone can have many negative side effects, however.
Neurosurgical studies by a friend of mine, Dr. Joseph Maroon, the head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh, have shown that high doses of omega-3 fatty acids can relieve this pain in more than half of patients. This usually required 6 to 10 grams of Norwegian fish oil (www.vitacost.com), curcumin, quercetin, ellagic acid, magnesium citrate/malate, boswellia, and other natural products.
It is also important to heal the damaged nerves. Studies have shown that R-lipoic acid, a mixture of B-vitamins, acetyl-L-carnotine, DHA, natural vitamin E, and tocotrienol all promote nerve healing.
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