The importance of nutrition and exercise cannot be overstated. Nutrition is inevitably ignored with most treatment plans and yet is probably the most important part in the overall equation to resolution of the pain, or any health condition for that matter. It is imperative that each patient start a plan that will improve nutrient intake, enhance immune function, decrease inflammation, and eliminate toxic substances. Nutrition is not just the food we place in our mouths but the chemical additives, pesticides and other toxins that accumulate over time which affect the way our bodies function and heal. It is a fine balance between what goes in and what comes out. Inevitably every thing we eat, drink, and breathe deposits somewhere in our body, having some cumulative effect.

Today more than ever before we are bombarded with a host of chemicals. It is no longer a question of if, but "how much". Studies have consistently shown that healthy individuals without any known prior exposures have a host of toxic substances in their tissues. These chemicals are in the air we breathe and water we drink. They are ingested through the food we eat or absorbed through our skin. No one is immune. A recent study completed on healthy individuals found 90 such substances in the tissues of these volunteers. This was unexpected as these individuals were not directly exposed to any such chemicals. In addition, these substances have been found in the breast milk of lactating women. Animals tested in Antarctica have been found with these substances. The conclusions are clear.

The Integrative Pain Management approach examines the patient's "whole body" including nutrition and exercise.  It is imperative that these issues are included in the diagnostic process. This holistic approach is integral to ensuring overall well being. As the nutritional status improves, the impact of one's pain becomes less dramatic and overbearing. In additional, there are specific nutritional substances that can reduce the cause of pain. Nutritional healing takes time and patience as the bad habits that got us there did not occur overnight.

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