Finally! You’re on the schedule with a specialist for that persistent pain you’ve been living with. But, UGH! It’s weeks out. Your meds aren’t working. The discomfort is constant. Maybe you’re wondering…How am I supposed to function like this?
If you’re living with chronic pain, you already know the Western medical system can feel like it does when watching paint dry – painfully slow. Here you are waiting on insurance approvals or a specialist referral, all the while suffering. It can feel relentless when the pain in your body dictates how you can live your life.
The longer you are forced to wait, the more the pain seems to take over, impacting your sleep, mood, focus, and relationships. It’s a cycle I see all the time: pain creates stress, stress tightens the body, and tight muscles generate more pain. In East Asian medicine, we refer to this as stuck qi, which means your energy isn’t flowing, allowing pain and tension to build up like a dam would hold back a river.
I recently saw a patient who had been waiting months for insurance to approve cortisone injections in their knee. Meanwhile, they were barely sleeping, missing work, and snapping at their kids from sheer exhaustion. This patient came to me because the system was failing them. Still, after just a few acupuncture sessions combined with a switch to an anti-inflammatory diet and herbal support, their pain was down considerably before they ever saw the specialist. When they finally got their injections, their recovery was smoother because their body was already on the path to healing.
Here’s what I tell patients: Don’t wait to start feeling better! There is so much you can do to reduce pain and inflammation while you’re waiting for conventional treatment.
1. Get your qi moving.
Acupuncture helps break the pain-stress-pain cycle by releasing stuck energy, reducing muscle tension, and calming the nervous system. Even gentle movement, such as short walks or stretching, can help prevent you from becoming stiff and blocked.
2. Shift to an anti-inflammatory diet.
What you eat directly affects the level of inflammation in your body. Focus on:
- Fruits and vegetables (especially berries, leafy greens, and tomatoes)
- Whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice
- Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts)
- Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, or tuna
- Herbs and flavorings like curcumin and ginger
At the same time, reduce processed foods, sugar, fried foods, and excessive alcohol, which ramp up inflammation and worsen pain.
3. Use natural anti-inflammatories.*
Supplements like curcumin (from turmeric), boswellia (Indian frankincense), and CBD have been shown to reduce inflammation and ease pain without the unwanted side effects of heavier medications. Some of our go-to options include BCQ from Vital Nutrients and Curcumax Pro from Integrative Therapeutics, both available at the clinic. We also carry a curated selection of high-quality, locally made CBD products in the clinic – ask us what might be the best fit for you.
*Check with your provider before adding new supplements to ensure they’re safe for you.
4. Support your lymphatic system with lymphatic drainage massage.
When pain lingers, inflammation and stagnation often build up in the body – in the muscles and in the lymphatic system. Lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle, hands-on technique that helps move fluid through the body, ease swelling, and support your natural detox pathways. For many of our patients, especially those who describe feeling “puffy,” heavy, or stuck, this kind of therapy brings real relief for chronic pain. It’s a powerful way to calm the system and make space for healing.
Is chronic pain taking over your life?
If you’re “stuck” waiting for treatment and wondering how to get through each day, we can help. Don’t wait weeks or months for relief. Discover how acupuncture, herbal medicine, and a targeted anti-inflammatory approach can help reduce pain and inflammation naturally, starting today. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation online or call (303) 688-6698 to get started.
Dr. Adam Graves, ND, LAc, is a licensed naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist dedicated to supporting the Castle Rock, CO, community through his practice at Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture.
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