Q. Dear Terry, “My back pain wakes me up during the night at least a couple times per week. I used to take pain medications to help with my sleep, but I’m looking for other options. What natural recommendations do you have? ”– Finn L., Dallas, TX

A. Dear Finn, People dealing with pain often have disrupted sleep. In fact, over 90 percent of people with chronic pain have disordered sleep. Poor sleep quality and quantity can intensify pain and lead to a vicious cycle. Sleep is necessary for healing and many other restorative processes in the body. Lack of sleep can also affect mental health and cause mood disturbances.

When it comes to addressing nighttime pain, I recommend these ingredients: curcumin with turmeric essential oil, boswellia, DLPA, melatonin, and pyridoxal-5-phosphate (bioactive vitamin B6, often abbreviated P-5-P).

Curcumin and boswellia are both excellent at targeting the underlying causes of pain, specifically chronic inflammation. The combination of curcumin and boswellia has been compared to a very common arthritis medication and was shown to be superior, without any side effects. P-5-P can decrease numerous types of pain like neuropathy, carpal tunnel, PMS, and reduce edema. Another benefit of P-5-P is that it can help with sleep quality through its effects on serotonin. DLPA is an enzyme that helps mood-elevating chemicals in the brain and blocks an enzyme that intensifies pain signals in the nervous system. Lastly, melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the circadian rhythm, also called the sleep-wake cycle.

I would take 60 mg of P-5-P, 5 mg of melatonin, and 1,400 mg of DLPA, curcumin and boswellia thirty minutes to an hour before bed.

Healthy Regards!

Terry . . . Naturally