Testimonials: Back Pain

Author: Dr. Kenneth J. F.
For thousand of years, the people of Southeast Asia have eagerly anticipated the time when a special fruit known as the Mangosteen would come to the market. Its delicious taste and medicinal qualities not only put dessert on the table but also helped people with such ailments as dysentery, infections, inflammation, and pain to mention a few. Twice a year, the open-air markets buzz with anticipation for this staple of the local people.

The fruit of the Mangosteen is eaten, and the outer rind or skin of the fruit is used as a natural remedy. The scientific name is Garcinia mangostana, and it has been carefully studied since the early 1970s, primarily for the phytochemicals in it, which are known as xanthones. Xanthones are biologically active substances and the healing agents of this incredible fruit.

The musculo-skeletal benefits of the Mangosteen fruit have been of particular interest to me. All musculo-skeletal conditions have one thing in common–inflammation. The inflammatory process comes at a time when tissues are going through the natural process of disrepair. Cells have been damaged, and the end result of that damage is the production of hormone-like molecules called prostaglandins, which cause pain and inflammation. The intermediate of this process is an enzyme called COX-2. The COX-2 enzyme is what actually starts the inflammation, swelling and pain. The big push in pharmaceutical companies has been to find a COX-2 inhibitor which would stop the common complaints of inflammation and pain.

In 1981, while surfing in Hawaii, I sustained a back injury. At the time, I was thrown to the bottom of the surf with such force that it bent my entire body backward, breaking my back in four places. Over the last 20 years through chiropractic care, I have been able to lead a fairly normal life. However, the pain has increased because spurring has advanced and degeneration has occurred in certain areas of the spine. Then I learned about Mangosteen juice. I was given an ounce of the juice, and that was the beginning of a major change in my health, my life and my career. I have implemented this product in my clinic and recommended its use to my patients with incredible results. Never have I encountered a natural fruit so powerful that it could do the job of so many other herbs. I feel that because of the amazing results I have had with Mangosteen, I am now drug-free and virtually pain-free for the first time in 21 years.

The research I have performed on this product has led me to believe that it can turn around chronic conditions of inflammation in the cells of the body. It is also my finding that mangosteen is the perfect ailment preventative. And in the chiropractic world, prevention is the key goal in health care.

Author: Dr. Armando V. D.
My experience with mangosteen dates back to my childhood in the Philippines. We would enjoy the inside of the fruit then throw away the rind, or pericarp. My grandmother would scold us because she would use the pericarp to make tea and healing poultices. In 1989 I was in a very serious accident while bicycle racing. I had severe facial injuries and fractures, and I fractured my cervical spine and lower back. It is a miracle I’m not a quadriplegic today. I started having problems with severe, traumatic arthritis and compression syndrome in my back. It had become so painful that I needed to take Celebrex and Vioxx for the pain. I also had to take some narcotics at night because the pain was so severe I couldn’t sleep. I was going to have surgery on my back to decompress it, but I decided to hold off. Then a friend of mine called me and told me about the launch of a mangosteen juice. I began using three ounces twice a day. After the first week, I didn’t have to take the narcotics at night. After another week, I didn’t have to use any medications because I was completely pain-free.

Because of my experience, I started researching the mangosteen fruit and read many studies from around the Pacific Rim. I started sharing it with my patients as a complement to standard medications. Many patients have been able to taper their medications while on the mangosteen. More and more medical doctors are opening their minds to complementing with natural, alternative solutions. More patients are becoming educated about natural alternatives and approach us with questions and suggestions. I personally think mangosteen is a superior natural product because it has been researched for the last 20-plus years, and even more so in the last five years, and the findings are amazing.

Dr. D. has been practicing for 31 years as a general surgeon.

Author: Rodger S.
I first started using mangosteen juice three and a half years ago. At the time I suffered from extensive pain and stiffness due to inflammation in my lower back. I have permanent disk damage in my lumbar vertebrae. I managed the pain, swelling and stiffness with prescription and non-prescription medications. I knew that these products were doing damage to my digestive system, liver and kidneys but I could not function without them. I began consuming three to four ounces of mangosteen juice per day. Six weeks later I was completely off all anti-inflammatory medications, and I haven’t taken them now for over three years.

Author: Mary D.
In April of 2006 I was told I would most likely have to have my right hip replaced. I said, "No way!" In July of 2006 I missed 3 Sundays of Church because of severe back and hip pain. On July 25th, a very dear friend whom I had not seen in a long time called. I had been trying to reach her for another reason. Long story short, she came over the morning of the 26th and told me about mangosteen juice. She gave me a bottle to get started on because I had told her I was to have a stent placed in my right kidney on the following Friday. I started on 6 oz per day. Sometime around the first of August I noticed my pain was gone. I have not had pain since.

Author: Myra H.
In 1989 I underwent back surgery for two herniated discs in my lower back (L4-L5). The surgery helped me tremendously. However, I have had chronic back pain since then; sometimes minimal, sometimes severe. I have been unable to do certain activities, like vacuuming and gardening, without experiencing excruciating pain. I have taken 1600mg Ibuprofen daily and more when necessary. I also tried natural joint and arthritis supplements with very little relief.

I was introduced to the Mangosteen juice in April 2005. I began drinking one ounce with meals and at bedtime. Within a week I felt great pain relief. I also noticed that I was sleeping through the night without waking up (I usually would wake up at least twice nightly). The longer I drank the juice, the better I felt, and by the sixth week of consumption, I was feeling a tremendous increase in energy.

It has now been well over a year. I have not had to increase my consumption and I feel better all the time. I’m so thankful that a friend told me about this product. It has been life-changing to go from having some amount of pain every minute of every day to being pain free most of the time. Since April 2005 I have not needed to take any pharmaceuticals for pain.

I cannot say that you will experience the same results; however, there is science behind this fruit and a multitude of testimonies about this juice’s effectiveness. I will only say, if you have a health issue, try this juice.

Author: Steve C.
I have suffered chronic back pain for as long as I can remember. I am 52 years old, and have a condition called spondolylothesis (a joint disorder in the spine). In May 2002 I was involved in a hit and run accident. I was a pedestrian vs. automobile.

Although I walked away from the incident, I suffered numerous injuries including herniated discs L3-4 and L4-5, broken clavicle (collar bone) at the sternum, shoulder injury, wrist and hand injuries, and some whiplash. The injuries served to accelerate arthritis in my back, shoulder, hands and feet.

The period of time between May 2002 and mid 2005 marked incremental increases in pain, and increases in medications and pain relievers to the point that I was even suffering migraine headaches 5-6 days a week. Eventually, I was taken off all pain medications, and they were replaced by medications to control the migraines.

By this point, I was being given medications to treat the side effects of other medications. I also noted in July of 2005 that I was no longer able to walk my dog, take my children to the park or other things they wanted to do. I used a cane all the time. Walking, even to go shopping or standing to cook meals was almost an impossible chore. Even this intensified to the point that I began to fall. I wasn't even 50 yet!

I tried everything I could find, or that the doctors offered. Hydrotherapy spa, massage lounger, adjustable bed, home traction devices-all with little or no benefit. I could barely walk, and it was not unusual to have to crawl up the stairs to my room. I had five surgical procedures on my right hand and one on my right shoulder. It was considered that to operate on my back would give minimal results, so that was given very little thought.

In late 2006, I was referred to a pain management specialist. He ordered a series of epidural steroid injections. The first eight I got in December 2006, again with very little benefit. The second set was in February 2007, when I got another eight in the spine and one in the shoulder. The spine had no relief on this set, and the shoulder seemed worse off. I also had two bad falls during the month. One I broke my right shoulder, the other I put my knee through the sub floor and suffered a severe sprain in my right foot, bending all 5 toes back over the top of my foot! OUCH!

In mid January 2007, I was introduced to Mangosteen juice. I listened to and watched information. Through these, and previous experience with nutritional supplements, I had a strong belief in the product. I had just given up on myself. I knew it would work, but didn't think it would work for me.

In March 2007, I got my first case of juice (which I started on immediately). I was on 19 medications for blood pressure, depression, anxiety, anti-inflamitories, meds to treat side effects of some of these and more to treat side effects of the meds to treat side effects! I also had my first heart attack right around that same time and more meds came. Fortunately, there was minimal damage to the heart muscle and aside from treating ldl cholesterol, there were no other recommendations.

In the midst of family difficulties, I was admitted again to the hospital on May 10. I thought I had suffered another minor heart attack. I was surprised to hear that it was anxiety and stress this time and my heart was actually looking better!

On May 25, 2007 I attended my first major seminar. I had actually made some headway already as far as pain relief goes. On Saturday, the exhibits opened, along with the tasting "bar". I "took advantage" of the opportunity and drank quite a bit more than usual of the juice (maybe 10 times my normal intake).

By the end of the seminar that afternoon, I was virtually pain free for the first time in as long as I could remember. I was able to touch my toes with no pain, I was able to walk and not use my cane!

Over the next month, I surprised myself over and over with things I thought I'd never be able to do again. Then the biggies came. On June 21, I saw my pain management specialist and dreaded what I thought he would recommend. I told him what I was and wasn't doing (I had stopped the Ibuprophen - 2400 mg a day) and with great reserve told him I was using a mangosteen juice and shared the results I had been seeing. His recommendation was to not have any more injections and concentrate on the mangosteen. He also asked for more information on the juice.

The following day I saw my primary physician. He has been my M.D. for 23 years and seen me through a lot. He also had a motorcycle accident shortly after I was hit by the car and suffers chronic pain, nerve damage and some disability in his left hand. I told him what the pain specialist had said and he talked with me for almost an hour. He asked where I get the juice and asked for more info!

So, my treatment over the past 4 years is in the range of $500,000. I was taking 19 meds at a retail price exceeding $8,000 a month when I started drinking mangosteen juice. I was so disappointed with the results of my previous treatment that I stopped all medications in June 2007, watching carefully how I was feeling. I discovered that I did need to bring my blood pressure medications back online, along with two other medications on a regular basis. I have three others that I use on an as-needed basis.

I have been treated for PTSD since 1999, which was intensified by the accident, along with clinical depression and acute anxiety. I take no meds for these now and my mental health is vastly improved. I took my kids to Disneyland the day I saw my primary M.D. and walked the entire park from 2 in the afternoon until after midnight! While I did use my cane, I was able to walk the park with minimal discomfort--and I was able to enjoy the experience!

So with mangosteen I traded $8,000 a month of meds, severe depression and anxiety, debilitating pain and lack of movement for a $160 retail case of juice, no more painful epidural injections, vastly improved mental wellbeing and pain loss. My doctors think I made a good decision, I know I did!

Author: Michael M.
After 20 years of carrying bags from green to green for wayward semi-retired, semi-professional golf addicts I was struggling to complete my rounds because of severe lower back pain. I lived with this for 10 years to no avail except for ice, pain relievers and rest.

In December of 2007 I was introduced to Mangosteen juice an amazing fruit known for its potent anti-inflammatory effects. I began to drink the juice 3 times each day with meals and within 3 weeks my back pain was gone!

Author: Jerry B.
I was in an auto accident in 1994, and required periodic manipulations of the neck and upper back vertebrae from a Doctor of Osteopathic medicine following any number of activities that aggravate my condition. My muscles in that area would be inflamed for days prior to the adjustments and for several days following until my body readjusted. During the most severe re-injuries, I would use prescription pain medication to get some relief allowing my return to work and other normal activities. These such cases would always be accompanied by severe headaches.

I started drinking one ounce of Mangosteen juice daily in the morning on the advice of a friend (my wife) in January 2008. I didn't really think anything of it as we became preoccupied with a medical condition of one of our six children. Things settled down for a bit, and about June, 2008 my wife noticed I had not been in to see my Doctor and had not complained of pain for a few months. Sure enough, I was having no recurring residual pain in my neck or upper back from any activities. Nothing changed in my experience that we can recall except my consuming the Mangosteen juice. 14 years of chronic pain and no more. This is now June of 2009 and I can recall only 3-4 minor episodes of some pain in my neck and upper back. All on just 1 ounce per day! Thanks Mangosteen! It's great to have my youthfulness back!