Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 7/23/2010

Question
First, thank you very much for taking the time to help people like me. It means a lot to us!
On with my question; I've had a pretty bad case of bursitis of the hips going on 3 years now. Cortisone injections help, as does chiropractic care, but I'm still not getting better. Part of the problem seems to be the muscles over the join, which seem to be permanently inflamed. I've tried a lot of homeopathic stuff, but the pain is usually to great to just use something like Turmeric. I've just started taking mega doses of Potassium, thinking that the muscle inflammation might be the result of a long term Potassium deficiency.
My two questions are; If it is the result of a Potassium deficiency, approximately how long will it take to notice a difference, and can you recommend anything else?
I'm taking Turmeric, gluclosamine, MSM, Potassium, L-Arganine, L-Carnatine, and trying to cut down on the meat in my diet (which I have way too much of).

Answer
Hello Louis,
You're welcome.  Potassium is a reasonable guess, it can cause chronic concerns with muscle contraction/ relaxation as can magnesium and calcium.  For any deficiency, it can take some time to restore the full amount needed, but usually you would see some results within a few weeks if you are taking the full therapeutic dose.  You mention tumeric which is typically useful for chronic joint & soft tissue issues also, often combined with bromelain, rosemary, ginger, quercetin, and other natural anti-inflammatories.  If it does not seem like it's working you may need to adjust the dosage--people are often taking an inappropriate dose (usually under-dosing).  Even if the herbs do not relieve the pain completely they are helping reduce inflammation so will speed recovery.  Decreasing meat in your diet (at least conventionally-raised meat, grass fed is not inflammatory) is a good first step, and you may want to decrease other pro-inflammatory foods such as sugar, wheat, dairy, alcohol, corn, hydrogenated & trans fats/ fried foods, and soy while increasing water, fruits, veggies, non-gluten grains, legumes, and omega 3 and 9 oils.  Also consider seeking out a homeopath for a more specific remedy (tumeric is really a herbal med, not a homeopathic) because this system of healing is often beneficial for chronic complaints unresponsive to typical care.  You can find a homeopath at www.homeopathy.org or www.homeopathy.org, or many naturopathic doctors (www.naturopathic.org) practice homeopathy, as well.  It may be you are on the right track, but just need some individualized recommendations to optimize your healing.  
In health,
Dr Conner