Naturopathic & Chiropractic Synergy: Topical Remedies + Manual Therapy

It would seem to me naturopathic & chiropractic philosophies align in the belief that our bodies can heal themselves if provided with a suitable environment to do so. Where a naturopath may adjust your diet and recommend herbal remedies, a chiropractor might adjust your spine and recommend exercises, but they both work from the belief that they can facilitate healing by removing unwanted interference and promoting wellbeing via natural means. To use a word I've learnt this year that is rapidly becoming a personal favourite, "salutogenic": naturopaths and chiropractors both adopt a salutogenic philosophy and view their clients with a pro-health mindset rather than the anti-sickness obsession of western pharmaceutical medicine, also referred to a "pathogenic" thinking.

The salutogenic or pro-health mindset guides individuals and practitioners to make positive adjustments to unlock healthier living, leading to a more holistic view of health. Exemplified throughout history, the integration of natural medicines and bodywork has been a cornerstone of this holistic healing mindset across various cultures. Ancient Egyptians combined aloe vera with massage, while Traditional Chinese Medicine integrated herbal liniments with Tui Na massage. Ayurveda in India used herb-infused oils for Abhyanga massage, and traditional Japanese medicine combined moxibustion with Shiatsu massage. These historic practices underscore the enduring synergy between botanical therapies and physical manipulation, enhancing the body's intrinsic healing capabilities and promoting overall well-being.

10 Topical Remedies: Benefits, Historic Uses, and Chiropractic Applications

There is vast data to support the use of topical remedies for pain & inflammation, varying from clinical, experimental, and anecdotal reports. In the following section, I'll outline 10 topical remedies and speak briefly on their reported benefits, historical uses, and recommended chiropractic applications.

Menthol

Benefits Of Menthol:

Menthol, a compound derived from peppermint oil, is widely known for its cooling sensation and analgesic properties. It acts as a counterirritant, temporarily distracting from deeper aches and pains.

Historical Uses Of Menthol:

Traditionally, menthol has been used in various cultures to relieve headaches, muscle pain, and respiratory issues.

Menthol Chiropractic Applications:

• Pre-treatment: Applied before chiropractic adjustments to help relax muscles and prepare the body.

• Post-treatment: Used to reduce soreness and inflammation following an adjustment.

• Everyday use: Provides ongoing relief from chronic pain and tension.

Camphor

Benefits Of Camphor:

Camphor, extracted from the wood of camphor trees, has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic properties. It stimulates nerve endings, producing a warming sensation that alleviates pain and discomfort.

Historical Uses Of Camphor:

Employed in traditional Chinese medicine for its cooling and cleansing properties, and in Ayurveda for respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions.

Camphor Chiropractic Applications:

• Pre-treatment: Helps in loosening tight muscles and increasing blood flow to affected areas.

• Post-treatment: Assists in reducing post-treatment inflammation and discomfort.

• Everyday use: Used in balms and liniments for ongoing management of pain and stiffness.

Peppermint

Benefits Of Peppermint:

Peppermint oil contains menthol, making it effective for pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, and its cooling sensation.

Historical Uses Of Peppermint:

Used in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman medicine for digestive issues, headaches, and muscle pain.

Peppermint Chiropractic Applications:

• Pre-treatment: Helps to soothe and prepare muscles for manipulation.

• Post-treatment: Provides cooling relief and reduces inflammation.

• Everyday use: Can be applied to manage chronic pain and tension.

Cajeput

Benefits Of Cajeput:

Cajeput oil, derived from the cajeput tree, has analgesic and antiseptic properties. It is effective in treating pain, infections, and inflammation.

Historical Uses Of Cajeput:

Traditionally used in Southeast Asia for its antiseptic and pain-relieving properties, especially in treating colds and muscular aches.

Cajeput Chiropractic Applications:

• Pre-treatment: Helps warm up muscles and increase circulation.

• Post-treatment: Reduces pain and prevents infection in case of skin abrasions.

• Everyday use: Useful in managing chronic muscle and joint pain.

Ash Bark

Benefits Of Ash Bark:

Ash bark has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it useful in treating arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

Historical Uses Of Ash Bark:

Used in Native American medicine for treating fevers, rheumatism, and as a laxative.

Ash Bark Chiropractic Applications:

• Pre-treatment: Prepares the body by reducing inflammation.

• Post-treatment: Helps in alleviating soreness and promoting healing.

• Everyday use: Can be part of a regimen for managing chronic inflammatory conditions.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Benefits Of Vitamin B3:

Niacin improves blood circulation, reduces inflammation, and promotes healthy skin. It also supports the body's energy production and nerve function.

Historical Uses Of Vitamin B3:

Historically used to treat pellagra, a disease caused by niacin deficiency.

Vitamin B3 Chiropractic Applications:

• Pre-treatment: Enhances blood flow and muscle readiness.

• Post-treatment: Aids in recovery by promoting healthy circulation.

• Everyday use: Supports overall skin health and energy levels, beneficial for long-term wellness.

CBD (Cannabidiol)

Benefits Of CBD:

CBD has potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anxiolytic properties. It interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system to help regulate pain and inflammation.

Historical Uses Of CBD:

CBD was not isolated until the 20th century, so the majority of traditional applications of CBD would be in full-plant cannabis extracts. These full-plant extracts have been used topically for thousands of years to treat inflammation and pain. Now that CBD has been successfully isolated and tested for its individual applications, we know that much of the topical benefits of cannabis can be attributed to the CBD within the the plant.

CBD Chiropractic Applications:

• Pre-treatment: Reduces anxiety and muscle tension, preparing the body for chiropractic adjustments.

• Post-treatment: Alleviates inflammation and pain, promoting faster recovery.

• Everyday use: Helps manage chronic pain, inflammation, and anxiety.

CBG (Cannabigerol)

Benefits Of CBG:

CBG, like CBD, has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and it also supports neuroprotection and skin health.

Historical Uses Of CBG:

Similar to CBD, CBG was not tested in isolation until the 20th century, so its historic applications would be derivative of the historic uses of cannabis topicals. However, and interesting discovery which has occurred since it was first isolated in 1964, is that CBG and CBD have a synergistic relationship whereby the sum of the benefits is far greater than what you'd expect from a simple additive interaction. Thus, referring to the above section on CBD, it would seem that the topical benefits of full-plant cannabis extracts can be more accurately attributed to the combination of CBD and CBG.

CBG Chiropractic Applications:

• Pre-treatment: Prepares muscles and nerves for treatment through its calming effects.

• Post-treatment: Aids in reducing inflammation and promoting nerve health.

• Everyday use: Supports overall pain management and skin health.

Silica

Benefits Of Silica:

Silica supports connective tissue health, promoting stronger bones, joints, and skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Historical Uses Of Silica:

Historically used in herbal medicine for its wound-healing and skin-strengthening properties.

Silica Chiropractic Applications:

• Pre-treatment: Enhances tissue strength and resilience, preparing the body for adjustments.

• Post-treatment: Supports connective tissue repair and reduces inflammation.

• Everyday use: Promotes overall joint and skin health, beneficial for long-term wellness.

Black Pepper

Benefits Of Black Pepper:

Black pepper oil has warming, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. It also enhances the absorption of other therapeutic compounds.

Historical Uses Of Black Pepper:

Used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating pain, inflammation, and digestive issues.

Black Pepper Chiropractic Applications:

• Pre-treatment: Helps in warming muscles and improving circulation.

• Post-treatment: Reduces pain and inflammation, and enhances the effectiveness of other topicals.

• Everyday use: Supports ongoing pain management and improves overall circulation.

Integrating Topical Remedies With Chiropractic Methods

Pre-Treatment Integration:

• Purpose: Preparing the body for adjustments by relaxing muscles, reducing inflammation, and improving circulation.

• Recommended Topicals: Menthol, camphor, peppermint, cajeput, black pepper.

Post-Treatment Integration:

• Purpose: Aiding recovery, reducing post-adjustment soreness, and promoting healing.

• Recommended Topicals: CBD, CBG, ash bark, vitamin B3, silica.

Everyday Use:

• Purpose: Managing chronic pain, reducing inflammation, and promoting overall health and wellness.

• Recommended Topicals: All listed ingredients, used as needed to support ongoing therapeutic goals.

References

1. Menthol:

   • Eccles, R. (1994). Menthol and Related Cooling Compounds. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 46(8), 618-630. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.1994.tb03871.x

   • Yosipovitch, G., Szolar, C., Hui, X. Y., & Maibach, H. I. (1996). Effect of Topical Menthol on Thermal, Pain and Itch Sensations and Biophysical Properties of the Skin. Archives of Dermatological Research, 288(5-6), 245-248. doi:10.1007/BF02505292

2. Camphor:

   • Ribeiro, R. A., Vale, M. L., Thomazzi, S. M., Paschoalato, A. B. F., Poole, S., Ferreira, S. H., & Cunha, F. Q. (2000). Involvement of Resident Macrophages and Mast Cells in the L-arginine-NO-cGMP Pathway Induced by Camphor in Rat Pleurisy. European Journal of Pharmacology, 387(1), 111-118. doi:10.1016/S0014-2999(99)00869-7

   • Huang, M., Huang, Y., & Wang, X. (2013). Camphor Induces Autophagy via ERK Activation and Antitumor Effects in Human Cancer Cells. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, 122(4), 311-319. doi:10.1254/jphs.13015FP

3. Peppermint:

   • Kligler, B., & Chaudhary, S. (2007). Peppermint Oil. American Family Physician, 75(7), 1027-1030.

   • McKay, D. L., & Blumberg, J. B. (2006). A Review of the Bioactivity and Potential Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea (Mentha piperita L.). Phytotherapy Research, 20(8), 619-633. doi:10.1002/ptr.1936

4. Cajeput:

   • Lin, C. W., & Lin, C. F. (2011). Essential Oils from Leaves of Cinnamomum osmophloeum Actively Inhibit Botrytis cinerea. Botanical Studies, 52(4), 385-390.

   • Choi, S. S., & Hwang, B. Y. (2011). Antimicrobial Activity and Chemical Composition of Essential Oil of Melaleuca cajuputi Leaves. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 23(4), 35-38. doi:10.1080/10412905.2011.9700458

5. Ash Bark:

   • Singh, S., & Majumdar, D. K. (1995). Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory Activity of Ash Bark. International Journal of Pharmacognosy, 33(1), 73-78. doi:10.3109/13880209509088280

   • Blumenthal, M. (1998). The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council.

6. Vitamin B3 (Niacin):

   • Knip, M., & Simell, O. (2012). Environmental Triggers of Type 1 Diabetes. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, 2(7), a007690. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a007690

   • Rizzo, W. B., & Craft, D. A. (2000). Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome. In GeneReviews® (Internet). University of Washington, Seattle.

7. CBD (Cannabidiol):

   • Mechoulam, R., & Parker, L. A. (2013). The Endocannabinoid System and the Brain. Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 21-47. doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143739

   • Burstein, S. (2015). Cannabidiol (CBD) and its Analogs: A Review of their Effects on Inflammation. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 23(7), 1377-1385. doi:10.1016/j.bmc.2015.01.059

8. CBG (Cannabigerol):

   • Cascio, M. G., & Pertwee, R. G. (2014). Known Pharmacological Actions of Nine Nonpsychotropic Phytocannabinoids. In Handbook of Cannabis (pp. 137-156). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acprof
     /9780199662685.003.0007

   • Borrelli, F., Fasolino, I., Romano, B., Capasso, R., Maiello, F., Coppola, D., ... & Izzo, A. A. (2013). Beneficial Effect of the Non-psychotropic Plant Cannabinoid Cannabigerol on Experimental Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Biochemical Pharmacology, 85(9), 1306-1316. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2013.01.017

9. Silica:

   • Carlisle, E. M. (1986). Silicon as an Essential Trace Element in Animal Nutrition. Advances in Nutrition Research, 7, 287-329. doi:10.1007/978-1-4613-2177-2_9

   • Jugdaohsingh, R. (2007). Silicon and Bone Health. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 11(2), 99-110.

10. Black Pepper:

    • Srinivasan, K. (2007). Black Pepper and its Pungent Principle-Piperine: A Review of Diverse Physiological Effects. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 47(8), 735-748. doi:10.1080/10408390601062054

    • Damanhouri, Z. A., & Ahmad, A. (2014). A Review on Therapeutic Potential of Piper nigrum L. (Black Pepper): The King of Spices. Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, 3(3), 161. doi:10.4172/2167-0412.1000161