Integrative Health Blog

What is chronic pain? 

Chronic pain, by definition, is pain that is present for longer than three months, which is generally accepted as the expected tissue-healing timeline.  However, more commonly, the pain has been present for several months or even years.  Chronic pain exists in approximately 20% of the adult population which makes it a common reason for patients to seek pain relief from healthcare practitioners.  

Difficulties in treatment 

Patients with chronic pain disorders can be one of the most challenging patient populations to treat in the field of integrative medicine.  They may have chronic pain for any number of reasons.  Fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, chronic postsurgical pain, arthritic joints, postural and occupational stressors, heavy metal exposure, endogenous and exogenous microbes, viruses, autoimmune disorders, chronic depression, and longstanding injuries are just a few of the diagnoses that may include chronic pain. 

Difficulties in the resolution of chronic pain can be compounded by several factors, including but not limited to identifying the psychological factors, fear-avoidance beliefs, and a sometimes overly aggressive approach with therapeutic exercises.   A comprehensive approach to integrative pain treatment in these cases is imperative to long-term management.  In many cases, it is not feasible to achieve abolishment of all the symptoms, but we can provide patients with the tools they need to be fully functional. 

A Comprehensive Approach to Pain Treatment 

At NIHA, our comprehensive approach to chronic pain relief utilizes innovative and effective functional assessment tools such as Heart Rate Variability and Manual Regulation Therapy (MRT). 

In our assessment test with heart rate variability, we measure the integrity of the autonomic nervous system which is composed of the two parts: 1. the sympathetic (fight or flight) and 2. the parasympathetic (regenerative and immunity).  With chronic pain patients, we often see an up regulated sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and a down regulated parasympathetic (rest and regenerative). 

Manual Regulation Therapy has been shown to normalize the autonomic nervous system thus breaking the continuous pain spasm cycle and moving the patient to a place of improved function. 

Patients who have been suffering with chronic pain are encouraged to schedule a comprehensive visit to take a deep dive toward pain relief and optimal health.  

"Dr. Murray has helped me literally from head to toe and everything in between. He eliminated my tension headaches, corrected repetitive hand and shoulder injuries, and accelerated healing from foot surgery, even when I was up to my knee in a cast."  F.P., DC Metro Area, Musician 

In his over 30 years of experience Integrative Practitioner Ron Murray has had success with thousands of patients. He holds 3 degrees including a PhD in Integrative Medicine, and is both a national and international speaker as well as a podcast guest on the subjects of his research: Manual Regulation Therapy and Traumatic Brain Injury.