Geranium Oil

Clinical studies have shown that using the essential oils of geranium and clove topically can temporarily decrease neuropathy pain. One research trial compared three strengths of geranium oil (100%, 50%, and 10%) with a mineral oil placebo and Zostrix, a capsaicin ointment. Subjects with post-herpetic neuralgia and moderate or greater pain were recruited. The patients completed pain assessments at times 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes following medication.

Results:

• Treatment with geranium oil produced a highly significant reduction in pain compared to treatment with the placebo.
• The reduction in pain produced by geranium oil appears to increase as its concentration increases. The observed increase is roughly linear, but a formal dose-response function cannot be defined because of the subjective nature of pain intensity.
• These conclusions were true both for spontaneous pain and for evoked pain.
• The response of an individual patient to treatment with geranium oil was similar for spontaneous pain and evoked pain. Those who experienced relief with one kind of pain also experienced relief with the other.

The trial demonstrates that patients with neuralgia experience less spontaneous pain when treated with 100% and 50% geranium oil than when treated with a placebo, The averaged pain relief across all evaluated patients increased with increasing dosage of geranium oil, The same conclusions hold for the evoked pain (allodynia),

Approximately one third of the patients had major relief, with little or no pain remaining; another third had some relief, such as reduction from severe to moderate pain; and the remaining third did not experience any benefit from geranium oil. There were no significant adverse events from the use of geranium oil. Only four patients of 30 had any adverse reactions, all mild, which were either a transient rash that resolved within the hour, or a burning sensation in the eyes that resolved within minutes.

Generally, users of geranium oil have reported that relief is experienced within 5 minutes and lasts for between 45 minutes and 6 hours, depending on the type and severity of the neuropathy.

Healthcare professionals have reported that geranium oil is useful for the following conditions:66

• Shingles (Herpes zoster)
• Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)
• Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathies
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophies (RSD)
• Spinal Compression Pain, including Sciatica
• Causalgias
• Radiculopathies
• Phantom Limb Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Bells Palsy
• Trigeminal Neuralgias
• Myofacial Pain

Note: While this Clinical Trial is informative, it leaves out vital information. There are 185 varieties of geranium oils in the world. Only 3 have any medicinal properties. Further, many “geranium” oils sold are either synthetic and/or diluted. Treating yourself with off the shelf geranium oil can be a dangerous exercise and you should never treat yourself with 100% pure essential oils!

Reunion contains only the finest therapeutic grade geranium oil as ONE of the active ingredients. Other oils are used that are anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-oxidants. Reunion users report numerous additional disorders where Reunion has been helpful. (see below)

How is Reunion AI Different from Reunion ISR?

Reunion AI attacks pain on two different levels (pain and inflammation); Reunion ISR primarily works at one level (neurotransmission of pain.) Reunion AI contains additional very potent natural ingredients to reduce inflammation. Reunion ISR while it contains anti-inflammatory properties, they are not nearly so potent as the anti-inflammatory ingredients in Reunion AI. The additional ingredients in AI block inflammatory cytokines and enzymes, including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) They also contain additional anti-nociceptive properties in addition to those found in ISR. Neither AI nor ISR contain menthol, capsaicin, salicylates, drugs or narcotics. In a small 2012 pilot study, the additional ingredients reduced joint pain and swelling in patients with active RA better than diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ((Voltaren)). Voltaren has been shown to have a negative effect (reduced function) on kidneys and liver. There is no indication Reunion formula has any significant side effects.

Steroids have been effective at suppressing inflammation, but if used for long-term treatment they can cause serious side effects such as increased risk of infections, liver damage, fluid retention, increased blood pressure, weight gain, easy bruising and slower wound healing.

By no coincidence, RA.com cites “white blood cells enter the synovial space and produce cytokines, which contribute to the pain, inflammation and damage to cartilage and bone.” These are the exact problems the ingredients in AI guard against and fight!

If you need a product for inflammation problems, Reunion AI is your best choice. If you are only experiencing pain without inflammation, Reunion ISR works well. Both are superb pain relief products.

Reunion AI is frequently used with Ultrasound but is also excellent as a standalone treatment.

Note: A MRI is NOT a good tool to detect inflammation. Further, Drs. are relying on experience with symptoms and trial and error methods to treat inflammation. 

MRI Limitations … Diagnosing Pain
Reunion AI Introduction

Reunion AI Superb for Ultrasound

Reunion AI for Shingles PHN relief

Reunion AI More Effective than Hydrocodone


Inflammation as an Underlying Cause of Disease

Let me say, in the beginning, I had a deep distrust of the alternative health industry. I believe it took advantage of people and manipulated their hopes and fears, and to a certain degree, I believe it still does. At the same time, I believe that we should be using the very best traditional and integrative approaches possible to live healthier lives. In fact, I’ve helped develop the science behind a number of important pharmaceutical drugs. However, I think that, when possible, we should use approaches that address the underlying causes of disease, such as inflammation. … Dr. Floyd “Ski” Chilton

Topical Analgesics Effective and Safe

I believe we will recognize a significant increase in the use of these peripheral, topical analgesic therapies as clinicians recognize their effectiveness with minimal systemic absorption and a lower adverse event profile, Dr. Gudin said.

Pain Medicine News

Evidence Based Studies of Antiviral Melissa Essential Oil (Reunion Hand, HSV & HZ)

1. Study: Melissa Officinalis oil affects infectivity of enveloped herpes viruses. Phytomedicine. 2008 Sep;15(9):734-40. Authors: Schnitzler, Schuhmacher A, Astani A, Reichling J.

Abstract: Extracts and essential oils of medicinal plants are increasingly of interest as novel drugs of antimicrobial and antiviral agents, since herpes simplex virus (HSV) might develop resistance to commonly used antiviral agents. Melissa Officinalis essential oil was phytochemically examined by GC-MS analysis, its main constituents were identified as monoterpenaldehydes citral a, citral b and citronellal.

The antiviral effect of lemon balm oil, the essential oil of Melissa Officinalis, on herpes simplex virus was examined. The inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was tested in vitro on monkey kidney cells using a plaque reduction assay. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of balm oil for herpes simplex virus plaque formation was determined at high dilutions of 0.0004% and 0.00008% for HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively.

At non-cytotoxic (not damaging to healthy tissue) concentrations of the oil, plaque formation was significantly reduced by 98.8% for HSV-1 and 97.2% for HSV-2, higher concentrations of lemon balm oil abolished viral infectivity nearly completely. In order to determine the mode of antiviral action of this essential oil, time-on-addition assays were performed. Both herpes viruses were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with balm oil prior to infection of cells. These results indicate that Melissa oil affected the virus before adsorption, but not after penetration into the host cell, thus lemon balm oil is capable of exerting a direct antiviral effect on herpes viruses.

Considering the lipophilic nature of lemon balm essential oil, which enables it to penetrate the skin, and a high selectivity index, Melissa Officinalis oil might be suitable for topical treatment of herpetic infections.

2. Study: Attachment and penetration of acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus are inhibited by Melissa officinalis extract. Phytotherapy Research. 2014 Oct;28(10):1547-52. Authors: Astani A1, Navid MH, Schnitzler P.

Abstract: Medicinal plants are increasingly of interest as novel source of drugs for antiherpetic agents, because herpes simplex virus (HSV) might develop resistance to commonly used antiviral drugs. An aqueous extract of Melissa officinalis and the phenolic compounds caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and rosmarinic acid were examined for their antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) acyclovir-sensitive and clinical isolates of acyclovir-resistant strains in vitro. When drugs were added during the intracellular replication of HSV-1 infected cells, no antiviral effect was observed by plaque reduction assay.

However, Melissa extract interaced directly with free viral particles of two Acyclovir-resistant HSV strains at low IC50 values of 0.13 and 0.23 mL and high selectivity indices of 2692 and 1522, respectively. The Melissa extract and rosmarinic acid inhibited HSV-1 attachment to host cells in a dose-dependent manner for acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant strains. These results indicate that mainly rosmarinic acid contributed to the antiviral activity of Melissa extract. Penetration of herpes viruses into cells was inhibited by Melissa extract at 80% and 96% for drug-sensitive and drug-resistant viruses, respectively. Melissa extract exhibits low toxicity and affects attachment and penetration of Acyclovir-sensitive and Acyclovir-resistant HSVs in vitro.

3. Study: Melissa Officinalis extract inhibits attachment of herpes simplex virus in vitro. Chemotherapy. 2012;58(1):70-7. Authors: Astani A1, Reichling J, Schnitzler P.

Abstract: Extracts and essential oils of medicinal plants are increasingly of interest as novel drugs for antiherpetic agents, since the herpes simplex virus (HSV) might develop resistance to commonly used antiviral drugs.

METHODS: An aqueous extract of Melissa Officinalis as well as phenolic extract compounds, i.e. caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and rosmarinic acid were examined for their antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro.

RESULTS: When drugs were added to HSV-1-infected cells, no antiviral effect was observed as determined by plaque reduction assay and analysis of expression of viral protein ICP0. However, the Melissa extract demonstrated a high virucidal activity against HSV-1, even at very low concentrations of 1.5 ug/ml, whereas similar results for phenolic compounds were only achieved at 100 times higher concentrations. Besides the virucidal activity, the Melissa extract and rosmarinic acid inhibited HSV-1 attachment to host cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that rosmarinic acid was the main contributor to the antiviral activity of Melissa extract. However, the selectivity index of Melissa extract of 875 against HSV is superior to the selectivity indices of single constituents.

CONCLUSION: Melissa extract exhibits low toxicity, is virucidal and affects HSV-1 attachment to host cells in vitro.

4. Study: Antiviral activities in plants endemic to Madagascar. Pharm Biol, 2000;38(1):36-9. doi: 10.1076/1388-0209(200001)3811-BFT036 Hudson JB, Lee MK, Rasoanaivo P.

Abstract: In order to determine the potential of Malagasy plants as sources of antiviral activities, ethanolic extracts of 11 plants, endemic to Madagascar, were evaluated for antiviral activities. Nine of the extracts had significant activity against herpes simplex virus (HSV), whereas only four were active against Sindbis virus. Five extracts: Cynometra cloiselii , Cynometra madagascariensis , Evonymopsis longipes , Ravensara retusa and Terminalia monoceros were particularly potent and could completely inactivate the HSV test inoculum (100 infectious virus particles) at concentrations of less than 25 µg/ml. Most of the active phytochemicals were photosensitizers. However, the combined properties of the active extracts indicated the presence of distinct compounds in different species. On the basis of these results we believe that it would be worthwhile expanding these studies to include additional species of Malagasy plants.

Shingles – Treatment Overview

There is no cure for shingles, but treatment may shorten the length of illness and prevent complications. Treatment options include:

• Antiviral medicines to reduce the pain and duration of shingles.
• Pain medicines, antidepressants, and topical creams to relieve long-term pain.

Reunion HZ Press Release

Secondary Shingles/PHN (post herpetic neuralgia) is difficult to manage. Current treatment is primarily focused on symptomatic pain relief with oral and topical pharmacologic agents, nerve blocks, and nerve stimulation. As more data emerge supporting active virus infection as a cause of persistent ganglionic inflammation and pain, antiviral therapy may play a potential role.

First-line therapies for PHN include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), gabapentin (Neurontin, Pfizer), pregabalin (Lyrica, Pfizer), and topical lidocaine patches. Second- and third-line therapies include opioids, tramadol, capsaicin cream, and the capsaicin 8% patch (Qutenza, Acorda).

Conclusion

Overall, the rate of herpes zoster is increasing, and the incidence of PHN is also expected to grow. Because PHN can be debilitating and has the potential to last for years, the best approach is prevention by administration of the zoster vaccine. During acute zoster, treatment with antivirals may decrease the severity of zoster-associated pain as well as the incidence of PHN. Although standard treatment of PHN is focused on symptomatic relief of pain, there is compelling evidence that at least a subset of PHN cases may be due to persistent VZV ganglionitis and that treatment with antiviral drugs has the potential to reduce the pain. Thus, for refractory PHN, further virologic studies should be considered (such as measurement of serum anti-VZV immunoglobulin M) and/or a trial of oral antiviral therapy considered

Note: The above excerpts are from WebMD.com and Pain Medicine News. The Rx drugs mentioned are problematic. Many users are not happy with the results or costs. Reunion HZ is inexpensive and very efficient for many with Shingles or PHN due to it’s strong analgesic, anti-viral and anti-inflammation components. There is no “cure” for Shingles.

Diabetic Foot and Amputation Statistics

1. Diabetes affects 26 million people in the US and more than 250 million people worldwide.

Diabetesatlas.org/American Diabetes Association

1. 60-70% of those with diabetes will develop peripheral neuropathy, or lose sensation in their feet.

Dyck et al. Diabetic Neuropathy 1999

1. Up to 25% of those with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer.

Singh, Armstrong, Lipsky. J Amer Med Assoc 2005

1. More than half of all foot ulcers (wounds) will become infected, requiring hospitalization and 1 in 5 will require an amputation.

Lavery, Armstrong, et al. Diabetes Care 2006

1. Diabetes contributes to approximately 80% of the 120,000 nontraumatic amputations performed yearly in the United States.

Armstrong et al. Amer Fam Phys 1998

1. “Every 20 seconds, somewhere in the world, a limb is lost as a consequence of diabetes”

DFCon11, Bakker (after Boulton), DFCon.com

Boulton, The Lancet (cover), Nov. 2005

1. After a major amputation, 50% of patient will have their other limb amputated within 2 years.

Goldner. Diabetes 1960

Armstrong, et al, J Amer Podiatr Med Assn, 1997

1. The relative 5-year mortality rate after limb amputation is 68%. When compared with cancer, it is second only to lung cancer (86%). (Colorectal cancer 39%, Breast cancer 23%, Hodgkin’s disease 18%, Prostate cancer 8%)

Armstrong, et al, International Wound Journal, 2007

Amer Cancer Society; Facts & Figures 2000

Singh, Armstrong, Lipsky et al. J Amer Med Assoc 2005
Icks, et al, Diabetes Care, 2011

1. People with a history of a diabetic foot ulcer have a 40% greater 10 year mortality than people with diabetes alone.
2. Iversen, et al, Diabetes Care 32:2193-2199, 2009

1. Every 30 minutes a limb is lost due to a landmine.
   Every 30 seconds, a limb is lost due to diabetes.

Bharara, Mills, Suresh, Armstrong, Int Wound J, 2009

1. Having a wound immediately doubles ones chances of dying at 10 years compared with those without diabetes.
2. Iversen, et al, Diabetes Care 32:2193-2199, 200

Note: Pain relief may seem to be the most pressing concern in the care of neuropathy. Use Reunion daily use lotions and creams for comprehensive limb care.

Topical Pain Relief Treatments Explained.

While skin covers our entire bodies serving as a critical wall against germs, it does not act as the origination point of pain sensations sent to our brains through our central nerve systems which lies just under your skin.There are numerous theories regarding the origination and transmission of pain.The truth likely lies within several of these theories, or maybe just one, depending upon the individual.There are hundreds of known causes of pain and if it can not be identified it is referred to as idiopathic.

Of course many systemic (pills) solutions are available such as Cymbalta, Neurontin, NSAID (i.e. aspirin) each with their benefits and side effects to some extent or another.Unfortunately, the same systemic drug in the same dosage does not work for everyone and there are many pain suffers who do not want to take more drugs for whatever reasons.

There are alternatives to prescription systemic solutions.Usually Over the Counter (OTC) topical pain relievers are moderately effective for a short period of time, are relatively inexpensive compared to prescription meds and may or may not be convenient to use. Topical applications have the inherent advantage that they bypass your stomach, kidneys and pancreas. They do not need to transverse 90 miles of your blood system to find the point of discomfort. Topical relievers apply the analgesic transdermally through your skin applying analgesics directly at the point of need.

Some use oils, menthol, camphor, wintergreen to make your skin feel hot or cold.While the sensation may be soothing, they are not long lasting.Generally used for muscular pain, they may reduce inflammation and serve as a diversion away from the pain itself.Products using these counterirritants include Icy Hot, Biofreeze, Salon Pas and Flexall454.

Other products have salicylates as ingredients the pain relief found in aspirin.There may be side effects to salicylate products, including blood thinning and allergic reactions.You will find these in Bengay, Aspercreme, Sportscreme and Mobisyl.

A third type of topical pain relievers use Capsaicin, finely ground chili pepper seeds.The effect is an extremely strong burning sensation and you might want to consider using gloves for application.Avoid using Capsaicin products such as Capzasin or Zostrix after bathing.

A new category completely apart from the above boasts of being all-natural essential oil and skin care solution.Leading this breakthrough is Pure Biomed with their Reunion product line.Reunion quickly penetrates your skin and appears to neutralize the neuro sensors sending pain signals to your brain.Not only does Reunion come in highly concentrated Intense Spot Relief oil, Pure Biomed has also combined ISR into Daily Use premium lotions and creams specifically for hands, feet, body and facial needs.Generally no side effects have been reported other than some fibromyalgia sufferers are more comfortable with creams and lotions than Intense Spot Relief oil.Reunion ISR is not as effective on rheumatoid arthritis, gout and inflammation related maladies as Reunion AI.However, people with peripheral neuropathy, osteoarthritis and muscular pain will find relief within minutes of application. The pain relief effect generally last from 4 to 24 hours.Reunion is not sold in retail stores; you can find the Full-Spectrum line at www.ReunionPN.com

When to use Reunion topical pain relief products:

Thousands of users are reporting excellent pain relief results using Reunion pain relief products.Because skin on different parts of your body has different needs and absorbsency, Reunion Full Spectrum Relief products deliver the correct amount of skin conditioning as well as Intense Spot Relief as needed.Aside from the pain relief properties of various oil, creams, lotions and gels, the conditioning properties of Reunion products are superb.The cosmetic base of each product is super-premium grade.Many users report the cosmetic side of the products as Best I have ever used!

Aside from the skin conditioning, users also report extraordinary temporary pain relief for a host of pain maladies.Severe and/or constant pain is your body telling you something is wrong. Seeking temporary relief is not a substitute for working with your health professional. Reunion products do NOT cure any malady, although they may provide temporary (usually 4-24 hours) of relief which can be repeated at will.You are encourage to read the many 5-star Customer Reviews on the ReunionPN.com website that may be accessed from the product information pages or the synopses at the bottom left of the any page.Every Review is 100% authentic!

A significant innovation in the treatment of pain is laser technology. Low powered laser and other light therapies can penetrate as much as 2″ to treat nerve conditions. Light therapy is now used by chiropractors, acupuncturists, physical therapists and other health professionals. Practitioners using laser therapy report applying Reunion ISR after the treatment dramatically increases the pain relief and patient experience by “Quantum Leaps” over using either the light therapy or Reunion ISR by themselves.

Customers have reported excellent results for the following:

Musculoskeletal Pain:

• Chronic Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Muscular Pain
• Upper and Lower Back Pain
• Hip Pain
• Knee Pain
• Acute Pain

Nerve Pain:

• Peripheral Neuropathy Chronic Nerve Pain (Central Nervous System)
• Carpal Tunnel
• Chemo-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)
• Pinched Nerve and Degenerative Spine
• Fibromyalgia
• RSD/CRPS
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Sciatica

Miscellaneous Conditions:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (Use Reunion AI only)
• Migraine Headaches (apply to temples)
• Insect Bites
• Lyme Disease
• Varicose Veins
• Shingles
• Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) Scarring from Shingles
• Herpes 1 & 2

The wide applications of pain relief are explained by the fact that virtually all pain is carried to your brain through your Central Nervous System (CNS)Reunion quickly penetrates your skin to the neuro transmitters located immediately under the skin and neutralizes the pain signals being transmitted.Penetration is immediate and relief is usually very quick.Some maladies may take repeated application over a period of time.Do not give up!

Reunion ISR is not nearly so effective on rheumatoid arthritic or inflammation problems as Reunion AI. The danger of chronic, low-level inflammation is its silent nature belies its destructive power. Using Reunion oils appropriately, Reunion is guaranteed to your satisfaction or 100% of your money back.

Here are 4 benefits you should expect from Reunion topical pain relievers:

1. Temporary relief from pain without side effects. (Typically 4-24 hours or more.)
2. Relief from stress caused by pain.
3. Ability to sleep uninterrupted by pain
4. Using Reunion AI, reduce pain and inflammation.

Some users have found excellent relief using Reunion Face and Body Mist.

Applies in Seconds, Works in Minutes, Lasts for Hours!

Non-cancer Pain Management With Painkillers Not Helping Daily Functioning

In a notable first, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is stating that overuse of opioids for noncancer pain isnt doing anyone any good. “The risks for chronic opioid therapy for some chronic conditions such as headache, fibromyalgia, and chronic low back pain likely outweigh the benefits.” That’s part of the conclusion of a new position paper from AAN, as published in its Neurology journal this month. For noncancer pain, “powerful painkillers do little to improve patients’ daily functioning.

Weighing the hazards of opioid use — addition and overdose — against potential benefits, the AAN states that healthcare practitioners should find other treatment methods to help manage chronic pain, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Insurers should cover alternative pain management approaches to combat ineffective drug therapy, which is now the default. Chronic inefficient opioid use must be replaced by other treatment methods that do work, and which insurers should cover.

Response from American Academy of Pain Management

I strongly agree with Dr. Franklin’s statements regarding the need for payers to offer adequate payment for non-opioid pain treatments, and the need to use a collaborative care model similar to those used with other chronic health conditions. To a great extent, the reason we end up writing so many prescriptions for opioids, at such high doses, is that clinicians see their patients suffering and try hard to relieve that suffering. Unfortunately, opioids often aren’t the best treatment, and sometimes aren’t even the right treatment, for the kinds of suffering many patients are experiencing, but clinicians turn to them because they are readily available, adequately reimbursed, and because the clinicians are inadequately knowledgeable about alternatives. Removing opioids from the equation may lower the risk of adverse events, but it does nothing to relieve suffering.

National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop: The Role of Opioids in the Treatment of Chronic Pain .

Chronic pain affects an estimated 100 million Americans, or one third of the U.S. population. Approximately 25 million have moderate to severe chronic pain that limits activities and diminishes quality of life. Pain is the primary reason that Americans receive disability insurance, and societal costs are estimated at between $560 billion and $630 billion per year due to missed workdays and medical expenses.

Data to support the long-term use of opioids for chronic pain management are scant. Workshop speakers stressed the need to use treatment options that include a range of progressive approaches that might initially include non-pharmacologic options, such as physical therapy, behavioural therapy, and complementary and alternative medicine approaches with demonstrated efficacy, followed by pharmacologic options, including non-opioid pharmacotherapies

Note: This is an incredible indictment against opioids and other narcotics. The AAN concludes alternative treatments should be used but never suggests what they could be. To read the entire article including a graphic weighing the positives and negatives, click here. Some Reunion users have found Reunion AI to excel in relief compared to “pain pills” and even opioids.

What about Chiropractic?

This video explains Chiropractic better than I ever could! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltEFGJPDrbU&feature=youtu.be

Candid Opinions of Dr. Peter Gotzsche, CEO Nordic Cochrane Centre

“First of all, the public needs to know the extent to which they are being deceived in the current system, e.g. few people know that prescription drugs are the third major killer. If drug testing and drug regulation were effective, this wouldn’t happen.“

“We know that lack of blinding leads to exaggerated views on the effect for subjective outcomes, such as dementia, depression and pain, and it is for this reason that many drugs, which are believed to have minor effects, likely aren’t effective at all.”

“Internal Medicine is the backwater. It has done little more than taken us beyond leeches and trying to alter our “humors” by blowing shotgun blasts of chemicals into complex and inter-related enzyme systems, where the intended results is more a side-effect of dozens of other reactions, none of which are good!”

More from Dr. Gotzsche ….

The main reason we take so many drugs is that drug companies don t sell drugs, they sell lies about drugs. This is what makes drugs so different from anything else in life the reason patients trust their medicine is that they extrapolate the trust they have in their doctors into the medicines they prescribe.

The patients don
If such a hugely lethal epidemic had been caused by a new bacterium or a virus,or even one-hundredth of it, we would have done everything we could to get it under control.

– See more at: http://healthimpactnews.com/2015/dr-peter-gotzsch…

The main reason we take so many drugs is that drug companies don t sell drugs, they sell lies about drugs. This is what makes drugs so different from anything else in life Virtually everything we know about drugs is what the companies have chosen to tell us and our doctors the reason patients trust their medicine is that they extrapolate the trust they have in their doctors into the medicines they prescribe.

The patients dont realize that, although their doctors may know a lot about diseases and human physiology and psychology, they know very, very little about drugs that hasnt been carefully concocted and dressed up by the drug industry. If you don t think the system is out of control, please email me and explain why drugs are the third leading cause of death. If such a hugely lethal epidemic had been caused by a new bacterium or a virus,or even one-hundredth of it, we would have done everything we could to get it under control.

– See more at: http://healthimpactnews.com/2015/dr-peter-gotzsch…

The main reason we take so many drugs is that drug companies don t sell drugs, they sell lies about drugs. This is what makes drugs so different from anything else in life. Virtually everything we know about drugs is what the companies have chosen to tell us and our doctors the reason patients trust their medicine is that they extrapolate the trust they have in their doctors into the medicines they prescribe.

The patients don’t realize that, although their doctors may know a lot about diseases and human physiology and psychology, they know very, very little about drugs that hasn’t been carefully concocted and dressed up by the drug industry. If you don t think the system is out of control, please email me and explain why drugs are the third leading cause of death. If such a hugely lethal epidemic had been caused by a new bacterium or a virus,or even one-hundredth of it, we would have done everything we could to get it under control.

– See more at: http://healthimpactnews.com/2015/dr-peter-gotzsch…

Furthermore, the researchers found that 66% of subjects had changed the medical facility they visited to receive treatment at least once, with 18% of patients changing four times or more. The reasons given for this included treatment was ineffective “and I thought I could take care of it myself.

Read more at MedWireNews

1 in 5 Americans Plagued by Constant Pain at HealthDay

Pain Treatment/Medicine	Also Known As	Possible Side Effects
Acetaminophen	Tylenol	Nausea, Rash, Liver Damage, Ineffective on Back Pain
NSAIDS	Advil, Aleve, Motrin	Stomach, Kidney, Heart, Stroke
Anti-Consultants	Lyrica, Gaba, Topamax, etc.	Suicide, Weight, Swelling, Headache, Nausea
Duloxetine	Cymbalta	Insomnia, Nausea, Constipation, Dizziness
Opiods	Oxy, Hydro, Fentanyl, etc.	Constipation, Addiction, Nausea, Withdrawal
Topical Diclofenac Gel	Voltaren, Cambia, Cataflam	Kidney, Heart, Liver, Stomach
Essential Oil Formulation	Reunion ISR, Reunion AI	None Reported, Strong Botanical Fragrance

FDA Warns Companies About Marketing Unapproved Topical Pain Relievers

The Food and Drug Administration today is warning companies about selling over-the-counter topical pain relief products containing ibuprofen , which have not been reviewed or approved by the agency.

Eight companies have been sent warning letters from the FDA informing them that their products require approval of a new drug application in order to be legally offered for sale in the United States. While the FDA allows some over-the-counter drugs to be sold without agency approval, that exemption does not apply to products containing the pain-killer ibuprofen, the FDA said..

These companies have an obligation to the public to demonstrate to the FDA that their products are safe and effective, and they have failed to do so, said Deborah M. Autor, director of the Office of Compliance at the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Ordered to Stop Selling

The FDA warning letters advise the companies to immediately stop marketing their products without agency approval. The companies have 15 business days after receiving the warning letter to tell the FDA how they will correct the violations and prevent similar violations in the future, officials said.

The FDA has not approved any topical ibuprofen products, billed by companies as safer alternatives for pain relief than oral ibuprofen, which can cause stomach ulcers, cardiovascular effects, and other side effects after prolonged use.

However, manufacturer claims that topical creams containing ibuprofen are safer than pills containing the drug have not be evaluated or reviewed by the FDA, officials said. Also, the agency has not determined the side effects of the topical ibuprofen treatments.

The following products and manufacturers have been sent FDA warning letters:

• Emuprofen (Progressive Emu, Inc.)
• BioEntopic 15% Ibuprofen Creme (BioCentric Laboratories, Inc.)
• Ibunex Topical Ibuprofen (Core Products International, Inc.)
• LoPain AF 15% Ibuprofen Creme (Geromatrix Health Products)
• IB-RELIEF (MEKT LLC)
• Profen HP (Ridge Medical Products)
• IbuPRO-10 Plus (Meditrend, Inc. dba Progena Professional Formulations)
• IBU-RELIEF 12 (Wonder Laboratories)

Note: Reunion products contain NO ibuprofen, menthol, camphor, aspirin (salicylate), capsaicin or wintergreen. Reunion ISR ingredients can be found under the product description.

Misuse of Over-The-Counter Pain Medication Is Potential Health Threat

ScienceDaily (May 30, 2012) A significant number of adults are at risk of unintentionally overdosing on over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication, according to a new study in the US by Dr. Michael Wolf, from Northwestern University in Chicago, and his colleagues. Their work, looking at the prevalence and potential misuse of pain medication containing the active ingredient acetaminophen (Tylenol) as well as the likelihood of overdosing, appears online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, published by Springer.

Many adults in the US regularly use OTC pain medication containing the active ingredient acetaminophen, the most commonly used OTC pain medication in the US (Tylenol.) They take it either on its own or in combination with other drugs, which may also contain acetaminophen. The ease of access to OTC drugs presents a challenge to patient safety as many individuals may lack the necessary health literacy skills to self-administer these medicines appropriately. Indeed, individuals make independent decisions that match an OTC product to a self-diagnosed symptom or condition. Worryingly, acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure

Note: The FDA has recommended no more than 325 mg acetaminophen be contained in any pain relief pill or capsule.

Drug Safety Communication – FDA Strengthens Warning of Increased Chance of Heart Attack or Stroke

ISSUE: FDA is strengthening an existing label warning that non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke. Click Here.

FDA alert: OTC topical pain relievers linked to serious burns

September 19, 2012

First- to third-degree chemical burns have been reported following the use of topical OTC pain relievers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public that a small number of individuals has experienced first- to third-degree chemical burns following the use of certain over-the-counter (OTC) topical muscle and joint pain relievers.

Bengay, Capzasin, Flexall, Icy Hot, and Mentholatum are among the products involved. These pain relievers contain such ingredients as menthol, methyl salicylate, and capsaicin and are available in creams, lotions, ointments, and patches.

Burns after a single use
The FDA reports that many of the adverse events occurred after only one application of the product, resulting in severe burning or blistering within 24 hours. Some individuals had burns that required hospitalization.

Most of the second- and third-degree burns occurred with products containing menthol as the single active ingredient and those with both menthol and methyl salicylate. Few cases of burns have been reported with products containing capsaicin.

Note: Reunion contains no menthol, capsaicin or salicylates. Reunion has never had even a single report of an allergic reaction.

Do topical pain relievers really work?

December 23, 2008

When something like a knee hurts, there’s a natural tendency to rub it. And if it really hurts, most of us will think about popping a pain-relieving pill of some kind – acetaminophen (Tylenol) for starters, or perhaps one of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).

But there are also dozens of topical pain relievers – creams, ointments, and oils that let us rub and get our pain medication. The over-the-counter products are sometimes grouped into a “muscle rub” section at the drugstore. The cortisone creams and other products for dealing with minor skin irritations are in a different section and aren’t covered in this article.

Applying medicine right to where it hurts certainly has a lot of intuitive appeal. And for people whose gastrointestinal tracts don’t react well to NSAIDs (a common problem), or who are reluctant to take pills for whatever reason, the topical approach is tempting.

The rub? Lingering doubts about whether these remedies work. And it can be hard to figure out whether a treatment is effective. The bar can be set pretty low: an ointment that provides a soothing sensation for a short while might be said to work by some definitions. And the placebo effect – benefit that comes from the patient’s expectations rather than the treatment itself – is a major complicating factor in treatment of something as subjective as pain.

On the other hand, there’s no question that active medicine can penetrate the skin and get into the body (how much is absorbed is a separate question). And, at least in theory, exposing just a painful area to a medication should mean fewer side effects than taking a pill, which involves gastrointestinal absorption and circulation of the drug in the blood.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the active ingredients in commonly available topical pain relievers:

NSAIDs

NSAID gels and ointments are not new, but they’re getting a closer look these days. Rofecoxib (Vioxx) and other drugs in the COX-2 class had been positioned as safer, “gut-sparing” alternatives to the oral NSAIDs, but rofecoxib was pulled off the market in 2004, so there’s now a gap that the topical NSAIDs might fill. (Celebrex, a different COX-2 inhibitor, is still on the market.) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a gel form of an NSAID called diclofenac (pronounced dye-KLOE-fen-ak) (Voltaren) for osteoarthritis and there are diclofenac patches. Voltaren has been proven to be problematic for liver problems.

The gastrointestinal problems (stomach upset, ulcers, bleeding) caused by oral NSAIDs are the result of both direct irritation of the gut’s mucosal lining and systemic effects – chiefly the lowering of prostaglandin levels in the blood, which may reduce the integrity of the gastrointestinal lining. So if an NSAID delivered topically gets into the blood in large amounts and lowers prostaglandin levels, it might very well have a similar side effect profile as one that has been swallowed – even in the absence of direct contact with gastrointestinal tissue. But from what has been seen so far, gels and ointments result in lower NSAID blood levels than the pill forms of the drugs. For example, blood level from topical diclofenac is about 6 percent of the level that results from the same dose of the drug in oral form.

The research is spotty, but those lower blood levels seem to translate into fewer side effects, aside from local skin irritation. In a study comparing an ibuprofen ointment to ibuprofen pills published in 2008 in the journal BMJ, people in the ointment group suffered fewer side effects than those who took pills.

Note:The FDA has banned the use of ibuprofen in topical pain relievers.

Fewer side effects don’t mean much if topical NSAIDs don’t work to ease pain. Indeed, some experts look at the low blood levels and say that topical drugs can’t be very effective in such low concentrations, aside from perhaps having some skin-deep, anti-inflammatory effect.

The data from clinical trials are mixed and open to multiple interpretations. A 2004 meta-analysis published in BMJ came to the conclusion that after the first two weeks of use, there was no evidence that topical NSAIDs were any more effective than a placebo. The Medical Letter, a well-regarded newsletter on new therapies, said the diclofenac gel might be modestly effective but also noted that the high placebo response leaves room for doubt. The ibuprofen pill and ointment study published in BMJ ended in a tie in terms of pain relief effectiveness, but researchers noted in their conclusion that one interpretation of the results could be that neither preparation is particularly effective.

The bottom line: NSAID ointments and gels probably are less likely to cause side effects than the oral versions, but there are doubts about how effective they are.

Certain painkillers may help to temporarily prevent discomfort following an injury or health issue. However, medications like ibuprofen and Celebrex may also increase the risk for heart attack, stroke and/or serious bleeding for heart attack survivors who are also taking prescription blood thinners, according to recent findings published in JAMA. 2/15

MENTHOL

Menthol’s familiar cooling sensation is the flip side to capsaicin’s burning, although it’s not expected to “max out” neurons and cause desensitization like capsaicin. Essentially, it creates a pleasant diversion from pain or other irritations – a reasonable goal, particularly if it can outlast the pain, but not really a treatment for pain or inflammation. Camphor has a similar effect.

Menthol is an active ingredient in most of the traditional rub-in products, like Absorbine Jr. and Bengay, so in addition to the cooling sensation, the first whiff brings back memories. The only active ingredients in the IcyHot products are menthol and methyl salicylate. It’s unclear what would cause a hot sensation.

Like capsaicin, menthol doesn’t change the skin’s temperature; it creates a cooling sensation by attaching to a certain neuronal receptor. Scientists have found that receptor in cancers, so there’s some hope that menthol could be used to make cancer treatment more effective. File this, though, under very preliminary.

The bottom line: Menthol used in topical pain relievers is a harmless substance that causes a pleasing sensation that counteracts pain, but it doesn’t influence the underlying cause or inflammation.

METHYL SALICYLATE

Methyl salicylate is a wintergreen-scented compound that’s an active ingredient in many over-the-counter pain-relief ointments, including some varieties of Bengay. Scientists have discovered that for the plants that produce it, methyl salicylate seems to be part of a warning system that helps the plant fend off disease. It’s one of a group of chemicals known collectively as salicylates because salicylic acid is their shared, root compound. Aspirin – salicylic acid with an acetyl group attached (thus its formal chemical name, acetylsalicylic acid) – is the best known of the salicylates. Trolamine salicylate, the active ingredient in Aspercreme, is another salicylate used in topical pain-relief medications.

There’s little, if any, rigorous research into methyl salicylate’s effectiveness as a pain reliever. On the other hand, there’s not much question that once a salicylate compound is absorbed and metabolized into salicylic acid, it has some effect on pain and inflammation, and studies have found that methyl salicylate is well absorbed.

The bottom line: Products that contain methyl salicylate might provide some pain relief, but there’s no solid proof. Anyone with an aspirin allergy or who is taking blood thinners for cardiovascular disease should consult a doctor before regularly using topical medications that contain salicylates.

CAPSAICIN

Capsaicin is the chemical found in chili peppers that gives them their hot, spicy taste. It’s also the active ingredient in several over-the-counter pain products, including Capzasin HP, Sloan’s Liniment, and Zostrix. The burning sensation from capsaicin is supposed to do more than just get your mind off the pain, although it does that quite well. In theory, neurons shut down after they’ve been stimulated by the chemical, so the burning and other unrelated sensations – including pain – cease. We say “in theory” because the results from studies testing the low concentrations of capsaicin present in most over-the-counter products (0.075 percent or less) haven’t been impressive.

Note:Reunion products contain no NSAIDs, ibuprofen, menthol, methyl salicylate, capsaicin or benzocaine.This article was published in 2008, well before all-natural, botanical, essential oil-based Reunion was available to the public.Reunion is 100% guaranteed to Apply in Seconds, Work in Minutes and Last for Hours!

Acetaminophen doesn’t reduce lower-back pain

Acetaminophen, the drug found in Tylenol, works no better than a dummy pill at reducing lower-back pain in some people, nor does it help these patients get better any faster, a new study finds.

The study involved more than 1,600 people in Australia who experienced sudden (acute) lower-back pain, and were randomly assigned to either take acetaminophen tablets regularly three times a day, to take acetaminophen only as needed, or to take placebo tablets. None of the participants were told whether they were taking acetaminophen or a placebo, and they took the tablets until they were pain-free, for up to four weeks.

People in all three groups took about the same number of days to become pain-free: 17 days in the regular-dose group and the as-needed group, and 16 days in the placebo group. Participants also kept track of their daily pain (on a scale of 1 to 10), and pain scores across the three groups were about the same throughout the study.

Guidelines for treating people with acute low-back pain recommend acetaminophen as the first-choice painkiller, but until now, no rigorous studies have been done to show that the treatment actually works better than a placebo, the researchers said in their study, published today (July 23) in the journal The Lancet.

The new findings suggest doctors “need to reconsider the universal recommendation to provide [acetaminophen] as a first-line treatment for low-back pain,” Christopher Williams, a researcher at the University of Sydney in Australia,said in a statement.

The researchers noted that three months after the study began, about 85 percent of the participants were pain-free, regardless of what group they were in.

Neuropathy pain
sciatic nerve pain cannot be traced to a central cause or location of nerve damage. Neuropathy pain relief is no more than management of the pain sensation through medications. The symptoms are usually one of coldness, tingling “pins and needles” kind of sensation, complete numbness or even itching as the causes are numberous . Surgery, spinal cord injury, diabetes and cancer are some of the causes present in neuropathy pain ,that are quite different as the diagnoses .There are several excellent natural remedies available including a group of acids called Alpha Lipoid acids so neuropathy pain treatment can be located in natural ways . This sort of nerve pain relief has few side effects, but those reported are positive ones as Lipoid acids do regulate the blood sugar levels, so people with diabetes should get with a physician when using them. It is attainable to accomplish nerve pain relief ,as together with it changing your life style, dietary changes and regular exercises . Pain management is alleviated with these remedies using a daily dose of vitamin B-6 which has been proven effective in neuropathy pain relief. Skullcap, cayenne pepper, night-time primrose and magnesium are some of natural things under neuropathy pain medication that can be tried

Are Reunion products Homeopathic?


Absolutely NOT!


Reunion AI and ISR pain relief are formulas of 100% essential oils. Each included oil is proven to provide benefits, i.e. pain reduction (analgesic), anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, calming, anti-inflammation and anti-viral.

Homeopathy cannot stand up to the rigors of scientific inquiry. Why? Because a tenet of homeopathy is the greater the dilution, the greater the efficacy. Claims are typically made for arnica, belladonna, calendula, st. john’s wort, etc. etc. They would have you believe minute concentrations down to one molecule per gallon is beneficial to you.

If you’re curious about homeopathy, we suggest you visit: saveyourself.com and cancer.org

Neuropathy pain levels might differ from person to person

What is neuropathy pain? A chronic pain in which there is a damage to the nerve fibres itself and leads to chronic pain in comparison to the nociceptive variety. The outcome is that the fibers send the incorrect signals that are sensed as pain. This is accompanied by the tissue injury so one appears like that of a pins or needles , burning sense or an electric shock.The resulatnt of the neuropathic pain is due to the nerves that generally become active for no reason – that is, they fire but are not replying to anything particular. Foot neuropathy pain is because of the anguish in feet. The Cochrane Report Gabapentin (Neurontin) is intended for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in grown-ups. For the neuropathy pain treatment which is more often than not because of the damage to nerves, Antiepileptic drugs like gabapentin are used. Connected to absence of sleep, fatigue, and depression, and a reduced quality of life, this is a serious along with postherpetic neuralgia (persistent pain experienced in an area previously tormented by shingles), diabetic neuropathy pain, nerve injury pain, phantom limb pain, fibromyalgia and trigeminal neuralgia are all included in it. A recent Cochrane Report, embracing the application of Neurontin for Fibromyalgia is making noise in the medical community.