Immunity Introduction When it comes to the immune system, two words that are most important are antigens and antibodies. To put it simply, antigens are any foreign bodies or toxins that initiate an immune response in the body. Antibodies are proteins produced by the body to fight against these antigens. Let us just assume our body’s immune system and its response as an interesting drama that plays as long as we live. Now, certainly, it should have some main characters without which the drama never unfolds. White blood cells (WBC) , also known as leukocytes are the key factors or main characters that help build and maintain a strong immune system in our body. They circulate through the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels and do a constant patrol every time so that our body is always ready to fight any foreign body. WBCs are mainly 2 types: Phagocytes Lymphocytes Phagocytes As the name suggests, these cells engulf and absorb the pathogens, just like that! Remember the terms Neutrophils
As someone who has been living with chronic pain for years, I’m slowly learning that nature has all the answers. We just need to ask the right questions and be willing to listen—listen to our bodies, to our minds, and to our souls. In our lifetime, we all go through physical and mental pain—not to mention heartache. And nature has everything that we need to heal, ready and waiting.
Natural remedies have been around for thousands of years. They’ve been tested on generations of people, well before pharmaceuticals and clinical testing were a thing. Chinese Medicine alone has been around for over 2,000 years.
This is not to say that modern medicine is not valuable. Thanks to modern medicine, we now live longer and our quality of life has improved significantly. Unfortunately though, with the rise of giant insurance industries and pharmaceutical companies, our health has become big business and as with any other business, many times it’s about the bottom line. It’s about how much profit can be made and not about how many diseases can be cured and how many people can be helped.
I’ve come to realize that it is important to have a balanced and open-minded approach to health, illness, and pain so that you can benefit from both nature and science. Nature can address and provide relief from all sorts of ailments, including pain due to inflammation, neuropathic pain, muscular pain, headaches, and even pain caused by depression and anxiety. It is critical to know the root cause of your pain…but sometimes that’s easier said than done! It might also take a lot of trial and error to find what works for your body so next time that you find yourself reaching for the medicine cabinet, consider some of these natural alternatives…
Temperature Therapy
Ice can help reduce inflammation. It can also help dull or even numb the pain. It generally works best for fresh injuries but it also works great on migraines. Heat is generally used for more chronic pain, such as stiff and achy muscles.
Herbal Remedies
Most herbal remedies can be consumed as food or in the form of supplements. Here are some of the more popular ones:
Side Effects & Interactions
Some herbal remedies can interact with medications and cause harmful effects in the body. They can also cause allergic reactions in some people so it’s important to do your research and consult professionals. Keep in mind that natural remedies and some supplements are not regulated and monitored by the FDA. However, most natural remedies have been around for centuries and have been tested on generations of people around the world.
Other Natural Remedies For Pain
A good night’s sleep (and short naps during the day), cognitive behavioral therapy, bio-feedback, relaxation techniques, mindfulness meditation, acupuncture, cupping, Reiki, yoga, Tai Chi, and Chi Kung, are all excellent ways to deal with pain without worrying so much about the side effects or interactions with other medications. These treatments can also be calming, rewarding, and even fun.
A Different Perspective On Pain
I’ve come to understand that pain is made up of two parts: a sensory component and a suffering component. A balanced approach is one that treats the mind as well as the body.
Nature tends to be a gentle healer so it is important to be patient and know that healing takes time. It’s even more important to know that you are not alone and to have a support system, whether it’s in the form of your friends and family, a good therapist, and/or support groups.
And don’t forget to thank your body and be grateful for all the parts that do work. Be KIND to your body and remember that you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for this body that you live in.
Pain is usually a sign that something is wrong in the body, but pain can also be attributed to many other things such as emotional trauma, depression and anxiety, and much more. I truly believe that my pain is here to teach me some great lessons. For me, it has been a great friend and teacher. It has sent me down paths that I didn’t even know existed. Pain for me is also a reminder that I am alive—and that’s a beautiful thing.
Remember one of the fundamental parts of Buddha’s teachings is that pain is inevitable but suffering is optional!
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