On January 2, 2014, the Los Angeles Times released an article revealing a study’s findings into Chinese medicine. According to researchers, the Corydalis plant commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine is comprised of a chemical compound that can “effectively alleviate three different types of pain.”
At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, our team follows trending news and research into innovated pain treatments. Chinese medicine and other western therapies are widely used by pain sufferers, and we continue to follow the journey of studies that look to uncover the potentials for improved treatment.
Researchers from UC Irvine conducted the study by testing the chemical compound on mice. One of the most compelling aspects of the research was that the mice never grew a resistance to the compound. This could mean that pain sufferers could use this pain fighting medication throughout the lifetime of their condition, without having to switch because of immunity.
The chemical compound, known as dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB), is found in the Corydalis plant: a member of the poppy family. The plant has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries, growing naturally in central eastern China. Traditionally, the plant is dug up and boiled with hot vinegar. The subsequent medicine is used to manage headache and back pain.
Olivier Civello, one of the authors of the study and pharmacologist at UC Irvine, says, “There are likely many compounds inside [the] plant that have some effect on a particular disease or disorder. Our goal is to find the most powerful of those compounds.” Further research is being conducted to determine if the compound can be extracted into medicine, gain FDA approval, and become available for pain sufferers around the world.
Fore more information on this study, read the full article from the Los Angeles Times here: http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-chinese-medicine-chronic-pain-20140102,0,5530097.story#axzz2re1FWlrS. If you or someone you love suffers from a chronic pain condition, contact a Southwest Spine and Pain physician today and get help immediately!
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With three locations and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
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