Nutritional Support for Joints and Muscles

One of the services I offer in my practice - Soft Touch Chiropractic in Porter Ranch, CA is customized nutritional counseling to go along with a patient’s chiropractic care.  Here are three of the most common areas that need nutritional support and their specific advice. Please watch the video below for more details.

Nutrition for Joint Support
Vitamin C helps synthesize collagen fiber which is an important compound for the joints.  There are two types of Vitamin C, sodium ascorbate and liposomal Vitamin C. Both can be consumed in high dosages without side effects.

Glucosamine sulfate helps with cartilage formation and repair. If you are allergic to sulfate, you cannot take this, but if you are able to, this is great for combining with Vitamin C for joint repair.

MSM is a natural compound made of rain water and plant chloroform. It is a natural painkiller and anti-inflammatory supplement.  Manufacturers will sometimes combine it with glucosamine, but a separate product is more effective. This works for any joint in your body that has cartilage.

You must keep in mind that these supplements work fundamentally better than a synthetic drug, but they work over time with longer lasting results and no side effects. They pose no threat to your liver and kidneys like synthetic drugs tend to do.

Our current health culture calls for immediate gratification, but for equipping your body better to heal itself, these supplements are better than drugs.

Muscle Health and Relaxation
My first recommendation for muscle relaxation is Epsom salt baths.  Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate which helps relax the muscles and relieve cramps.
If you don’t have a bathtub, you can still benefit by soaking your feet in the salts. If soaking is not your thing, magnesium chloride spray or magnesium glycinate pills are good alternatives to Epsom salt.

Arnica flower gel is a muscle relaxant. It’s also good for tendons and ligaments. I recommend it to reduce bruising. The gel is safe enough to use 3-4 times a day.

Valerian root is also a muscle relaxant and analgesic. It can be taken as a sleeping aid. I don’t suggest the gel, but rather the capsule to be taken at night, not in the morning.

Much of our muscle stress is aggravated during sleep, usually due to our natural hormonal system during our sleeping hours, which is why valerian root and passion flower are helpful especially if you have an existing musculoskeletal issue.

Nerve Analgesic and Repair

Passion flower is a natural analgesic. It also helps with sleep. The pills are fine to take but the liquid drops are better.

Vitamin B Complex helps to maintain a healthy nervous system. A complex is various B vitamins combined into one pill. Vitamin Bs are water soluble, which is why I recommend that a patient take 1 capsule in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. 

The following activities and conditions rob the body of Vitamin B: recreational drug consumption, drinking alcohol, smoking, vaping, erratic dieting, working graveyard shifts, frequent traveling, chronic illnesses and stress. If any of these apply to you, I highly recommend you take a B complex as your body is being drained of this important nutrient.

If you are in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, CA and would like to schedule a free consultation, call 818-831-0100.

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