IC and Mast Cells: 3 Acute Ways to Inhibit Formation and Pain

Mast cells are part of the immune system and are found throughout the body particularly in areas of inflammatory reaction  It has been found that those with IC and bladder ulcerative changes(<5% of the IC population) have 5x more mast cells than others with IC  Thus those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) may have a common pathway through excess mast cell production  The reason that this becomes important is that the mast cell produces many irritating molecules that may mediate the pain complex that is present

Why Do Mast Cells Concentrate in the Bladder Wall?

There is a functional relationship between mast cell production and the autonomic nervous system which is the part of the nervous system that causes the bladder to function  If the nervous system becomes hyperexcitable or extra nervous then this will in and of stimulate mast cell arousal  This begins the cascade of molecular events that leads to the release of NGF, TNF, histamines, endokrines, and other modulating molecules that cause irritability

So the next question is “Why does the nervous system become irritable in the pelvic area?”  This becomes a problem from the matter science point of view because the model cannot hold the space to allow an answer  But the energy science model can explain the origin of the nervous system behavior based on the qualities that emanate from the lower rectum and come to reside in the pelvic nerves, both somatic and autonomic

This becomes a big deal as it gets to the heart of the origin of the IC bladder pain syndrome

3 Ways to Influence Mast Cell Production by Affecting the Pelvic Nerve Complex

In the energy science of Ayurveda there is a dictum that there is no pain without the Vata energy pattern  So it’s not surprising that all pain syndromes have Vata involvement energetically mediated molecularly through the nervous system

1 Basti downregulates mast cell production by changing nerve plexus irritation  This is a time honored way to deal with Vata imbalance which disturbs nervous tissue  There are many forms of basti both internal and external  Internal basti is done by placing herbal decoctions with oil, usually sesame, into the lower rectum by enema bag  Many people with IC have been poked and jabbed by instruments or tubes going into the bladder  Why would a comfortable placement of a tube into the lower rectum through the anus be such a big deal? So self done enemas can be a major step toward controlling the imbalance in the pelvic nerves and in so doing influence mast cell production and the symptoms of fatigue, cognitive disruption, sleep disorders, mood disorders, and general malaise

2 PeaPure or palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is actually a glial cell modulator(nervous system immune cells) that impacts mast cell formation through its interaction with NGF  Its mode of action is more than likely by affecting the nervous system which induces the mast cells to begin with  Due to the work of Nobel Price Laureate Rita Levi Montalcini who was the first to identify PEA as a mast cell inhibitor in 1993  Based on her work PEA has been extensively used as a analgesic and anti-inflammatory compound since the last decade, especially in the countries were PEA is available, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands  It’s available as a nutraceutical in 400mg tablets

3 LDN(Low Dose Naltrexone) has been shown to be effective in forms of chronic pain syndrome  It is a novel anti-inflammatory agent in the central nervous system, via action on microglial cells and may represent one of the first glial cell modulators to be used for the management of chronic pain disorders  As a daily oral therapy, LDN is inexpensive and well-tolerated

IC and the Synergy of Healing: Adding onto the Energetic Effect

“Ok give me the one thing that’s going to clear this IC thing that I have” typically goes the refrain going through our minds as we try to figure it what to do

And while we have been programmed to believe that it’s that one pill, the one operation, the one piece of advice that’s going to turn the corner, it’s really not that way  It may be that in an acute situation such as appendicitis that the immediate action of removing the appendix fixes the problem  But even in that clinical scenario there is the need for doing things after the operation to fully recover  In the management of chronic diseases such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) this process of needing to do more than one thing in order to evoke a healing response becomes even more apparent

The Energy Science Approach to Healing

In order to evoke a change toward real healing the mindbody needs to know that we’re serious about wanting to turn things around for us and move in a different direction  Toward balance in this situation This means that there needs to be not only consistency in our actions but also a willingness to pile on the energetic effects produced by our actions

For example we might feel a tad bit better by introducing nutritional changes that bring about more physiologic balance  Bringing about more balance to the physiology occurs when we stop adding to our imbalances  For example, if we happen to have a Pitta Kapha energy constitutional make up then nuts are not a good choice for us because they carry the vibrational frequencies of heavy, slow, oily, static, and cloudy  When we stop introducing these qualities of nuts into our physiology then the mindbody begins to shed those qualities that we were consistently putting into our mindbody

So we stop adding to the imbalance that is creating our ill health  That’s a good thing…changing our nutrition so we don’t continue to keep ourselves sick  A step toward healing has been made  But there’s another layer  What about incompatible food combinations?  Well, by avoiding them we begin improving our agni  That’s a good thing  Another step has been taken

But then we can add another layer  What about restructuring our day to a favorable time for the mindbody to do certain things…like getting up early to exercise, eating our biggest meal of the day at around noon, going to bed early to take advantage of the night time detoxification duties that the mindbody naturally does if we don’t interfere with them  So another layer has been added to the complex process of energy healing  And we should point out that this healing has not cost anything….only just changing the way we do things

Synergistic Healing

So from an energy science point of view, real healing requires our participation and this layering effect  There are a multiplicity of things to be done to bring physiologic balance and release excess vibrational frequencies that don’t serve us well

This layering phenomenon is actually promoting synergy  It’s not just one thing but the multiplicity of things that are done that bring about the desired effect  Each lifestyle behavior pattern that we add supports and makes stronger the previous pattern that we just put into place  That is, these changes that we make feed on one another creating a grand foundation on which to support the healing of the condition that doesn’t serve us anymore

IC and Prana: 5 Ways to Make Biologic Energy Flow

From present day physics the body can be viewed as an energy field or molecular/matter field  Modern day medicine follows an molecular approach to its study of disease whereas the energy sciences of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine(acupuncture) have developed sophisticated systems of healing to deal with man’s diseases  The areas where the energy sciences have their most impact is in chronic disease and prevention since as we have discussed in the past the origin of disease is well worked out in the Ayurvedic energy science discipline

Because the energy science understands the origin of disease it can be effective in chronic diseases such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)  From an energy science perspective disease is brought about due to an imbalance of vibrational frequencies called gunas or qualities  So in IC the qualities that become out of balance are predominantly the hot and mobile qualities  These qualities become overly abundant in affected tissues producing the symptoms

Srotas:  The Energy Channels

Although the energy science views the body’s anatomy in a similar way as the matter science discipline the channels through which energy flows are arranged conceptually in a different way  The energy channels are called srotas and have specific characteristics that are unique to the energy body  It is through these channels that the qualities move The most common way we alter the qualities of the body is through our nutrition which is why what we eat becomes so important in the management of the IC BPS

But there is a second channel system in the energy body called the nadi system which overlays the srotal system and is more subtle in its expression

The Nadi System

This channel system only carries vibrational energy called prana and is more ephemeral than the above srotal system  Unexplained spontaneous remissions of all forms of disease occur at this level of the energy body  Our nadi system(microcosm) is responsible for the maintenance of our energetic aura(see diagram) and is our connection with the greater energy field(macrocosm)

The common concept shared by these two energy channel systems is agni, the digestive fire, or the ability to take an experience and completely comprehend its meaning  And there are two bridges that connect the two systems such as the autonomic nervous system(fight or flight system) and the endocrine(hormones and thyroid gland) system  The nadi channels are connected to the 5 senses so we can see that doing things to enhance the senses and clear them helps improve flow through them

In yogic classes where asana(posture) is performed the anatomy that is most common discussed and used is the nadi system  Energy nadis such as the ida, pingula, and sushumna are terms often used  There can be healing using the nadi system and the energy science of Ayurveda uses these concepts in therapies

5 Ways To Access the Nadi System

Pranayama particularly kapalabhati because breath use and breath exercises are powerful ways to influence the fight or flight response which is managed by the above autonomic system  From what we have just said not surprisingly this group of exercises can influence agni which is extremely therapeutic in management of disease  Done routinely it can change the course of a disease  Since the breath influences the subtle vibrational energy channels it can help clear the srotas and our aura

Kevala As part of the day in balance(dinacharya) oil pulling has been recognized by Western observers of health that it can bring about dramatic benefits  Kevala influences the nadi channel system and hence has profound energetic consequences to the body

Nasya  This is the application of herbs that are in an oil solution and has direct impact to both the autonomic nervous and endocrine systems  Because this therapy influences both bridges to the nadi system it can have an impact on our subtle energy body, aura, and healing

Karna purna  This is application of oil to the ears which have a connection to the nadi channels and can influence them 

Marma and abhyanga  The application of oils to the external surface of the body stimulates acupuncture points that Ayurveda calls marma  These are subtle energy points that connect to the nadi system and improves pranic flow through the channels

IC and the Quick Fix: 3 Ways to Understand the Process

What we wish from any healing tradition is a quick way out of our problem whatever it is  The magic pill, the magic operation, the magic whatever  So it is with any formidable chronic disease like the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)  And intuitively we know there is no such thing but we can still hope that there is something that is going to deal with it  But as a recent visit with a patient who is a gastroenterologist said, “I would have thought you were a crank if you would have promised me a quick solution”

The Quick Fix

So even though we yearn for the quick fix we know it realistically doesn’t exist  We know this intuitively  So if this is the case then what are we actually looking for?

I believe any sufferer of  the IC bladder pain syndrome is waiting for “a trusted way” that will get them to where they want to go…that is, feeling better  And they feel that the “system” has not been that trusted way anymore

But as we have already said there is no quick fix but there is a fix….maybe not a fix but nonetheless a fix  It’s just that this trusted way, this path requires TIME  When time is put into the equation, impatience can become a problem  While we rationalize with the mind, it still wants whatever that’s supposed to happen, to happen quickly

Three Solutions for the Impatient Mind

Journal  Probably from a practical point of view the best way to show the impatient mind that progress is being achieved is to review our journal entries and see for ourselves that things are better  Even the mind’s memory is distrustful of itself but if we can see for ourselves in black and white what has been going on in the past and compare it to what’s happening now the impatient mind will shut up

Realize the ups and downs of healing  As an energy field the mindbody expresses itself as waves and so do the diseases that it experiences  So any disease has its good days and bad days, good weeks and bad weeks, flare periods and no flare periods of the disease process  Name any disease process and it will express itself in waves  The point here is “no discouragement” because of a particularly “bad period”  Keep up the good pursuit toward our goal of ever improving health  Real healing takes time…the correction of an energetic imbalance requires repetitive perseverative effort

Get reliable help in achieving our goal  If we are in a forest and hear the sound of waves crashing on the beach we know we are near  But we have no path to follow  We search but no one has gone there  We can forge our own path and cut our way through the forest, guided by the sounds of the ocean  But we can search for a path that other people have taken and use their experience to show us the way  This is the value of Ayurvedic consultations  They give us a path to follow rather than trying to make our own path

IC and Habits: Habits Are Best Made To Be Modified

IC and 2016 Personal Goals: 5 Guidelines for Living Life on Purpose