CHRONIC PAIN AND HORMONES
BY FRED G. ARNOLD, DC, NMD
The American Academy of Pain Management reports that an estimated 50 million Americans live with chronic pain
caused by disease, disorder or accident. Did you know that many chronic pain conditions and stress related symptoms
could be related to hormone imbalance?
Some common symptoms of chronic pain include stress, frustration, fatigue, aches and pains, muscle spasm, and poor sleep.
Hormone imbalances that may be related to chronic pain includes the following:
- Vitamin D Levels: Low Vitamin D levels increase inflammation and pain.
- Cortisol Levels: Low cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, is affected by chronic pain and stress that affects the
production of hormones and affects the ability to get adequate restorative sleep.
- Estrogen/Progesterone: an imbalance of estrogen to progesterone can increase pain and inflammation.
- Testosterone Levels: as we age testosterone levels drop and low testosterone increases joint pain and muscle aches.
- Thyroid Levels: the thyroid hormone modulates muscle and nerve action. Muscle and joint pain can be related to low
thyroid (hypothyroid).
- DHEA: called the Anti-aging Hormone, replacement of DHEA can decrease joint soreness.
If you are suffering from chronic pain and your treatment efforts have not been successful in alleviating your painful
condition, a hormone evaluation that tests the above hormones should be a consideration. Once any hormone imbalances are
identified, an individual treatment plan can be developed to correct these imbalances. Dependent upon your age and
individual insurance, some or all the these tests may be covered by insurance.
References:
Brimhall Total Hormone Balancing Program, Labrix Clinical Services, Advanced 3-Day “Home Coming Seminar, Nutri-West 4-Life, Phoenix, AZ, 2011
Smith, Pamela Wartian, M.D., MPH, HRT: The Answers, A Concise Guide for Solving the Hormone Replacement Therapy Puzzle, Healthy Living Books, Inc., Traverse City, MI, 2003