DR. GEORGE DEFRANCA
email me!
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • MISSION STATEMENT
  • LOW BACK PAIN HELP!!
  • CHIROPRACTIC
    • Typical Visit: The Examination
    • Treatment Visit
    • Types of Treatments...
  • YOGA, BREATHE, MEDITATE
  • CONDITIONS TREATED...
  • CONTACT US...Ask for an appointment...
  • ARTICLES
    • Antibiotics and ear infections
    • Back Pack Syndrome
    • Catching a cold?
    • Cave Man's diet (Paleolithic)
    • Children and Chiropractic
    • Computer Work Station
    • Creep and Sleep!
    • Dr. DeFranca's Top Ten List
    • The "Fourth Trimester" and Colic
    • Fish Oils and Anti-inflammatory Action
    • Flu Exaggerated?
    • Greens and Genes...
    • Heartburn Tea!
    • How Do We Heal?
    • Hydrogen Peroxide for Colds!
    • Lower Back Pain: The Problem...
    • Meditation Class Notes
    • Mercury In Your Mouth!!
    • Neck Pain: The Problem...
    • Prostate Health
    • School Headache in Kids
    • Sinus Congestion
    • Soy Protein
    • Stroke from Spinal Manipulation??
    • Wet Sock Treatment?
    • Worried About the Flu?
    • You Are What You Eat...
  • VIDEOS
    • Abdominal Exercises
    • Balance Training
    • Lower back Exercises
    • Lower Extremity Exercises
    • Mid and Upper Back Exercises
    • Neck Stretches
    • Upper Extremtiy Exercises
  • EXERCISES
    • Abdominals
    • Bridges
    • Cobras / Mckenzie Extensions
    • Dr. DeFranca's Sample Exercise Routine
    • Eye Exercises
    • Foot Exercises: The Short Foot
    • Foot Exercises: Toe Ups and Downs
    • Foot Exercises: Tib Posterior and P. Longus
    • Interval Training
    • Hip Hinge
    • Squats
  • VERTIGO
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • FAQ's
  • FORMS TO DOWNLOAD
  • DR. LINDA LEVINE
  • Dr. George's Blog...
  • COVID-19: What we know...
  • LINKS...
  • New Page

Fish Oils and Anti-inflammation...

"Our results mirror other controlled studies that compared ibuprofen and omega-3 EFAs demonstrating equivalent effect in reducing arthritic pain."
Picture




Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) as an anti-inflammatory







Maroon, J. C. and J. W. Bost (2006). "Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) as an anti-inflammatory: an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for discogenic pain." Surg Neurol 65(4): 326-31.

            BACKGROUND: The use of NSAID medications is a well-established effective therapy for both acute and chronic nonspecific neck and back pain. Extreme complications, including gastric ulcers, bleeding, myocardial infarction, and even deaths, are associated with their use. An alternative treatment with fewer side effects that also reduces the inflammatory response and thereby reduces pain is believed to be omega-3 EFAs found in fish oil. We report our experience in a neurosurgical practice using fish oil supplements for pain relief.

METHODS: From March to June 2004, 250 patients who had been seen by a neurosurgeon and were found to have nonsurgical neck or back pain were asked to take a total of 1200 mg per day of omega-3 EFAs (eicosapentaenoic acid and decosahexaenoic acid) found in fish oil supplements. A questionnaire was sent approximately 1 month after starting the supplement.

RESULTS: Of the 250 patients, 125 returned the questionnaire at an average of 75 days on fish oil. Seventy-eight percent were taking 1200 mg and 22% were taking 2400 mg of EFAs. Fifty-nine percent discontinued to take their prescription NSAID medications for pain. Sixty percent stated that their overall pain was improved, and 60% stated that their joint pain had improved. Eighty percent stated they were satisfied with their improvement, and 88% stated they would continue to take the fish oil. There were no significant side effects reported.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results mirror other controlled studies that compared ibuprofen and omega-3 EFAs demonstrating equivalent effect in reducing arthritic pain. Omega-3 EFA fish oil supplements appear to be a safer alternative to NSAIDs for treatment of nonsurgical neck or back pain in this selective group.


“Experienced in the safe and effective treatment of joint, muscle, nerve, and soft tissue disorders.”
"Spine...Nervous System...Health"
Dr. George DeFranca

73 Central Street / West Boylston, MA  01583
508-835-2271