A different approach to nerve pain

Michael Ventresca • May 5, 2026

Nerve-related pain doesn’t follow a clear pattern and often lingers longer than expected. 

Unlike a headache, nerve-related pain like sciatica or neuropathy can be one of the most difficult types of discomfort to manage. It doesn’t always follow a clear pattern and often lingers longer than expected. Even when the original issue improves, that nagging, radiating discomfort can stick around.


What makes nerve pain different is that it’s not just about inflammation or tissue damage. It often involves irritated or overactive nerves that continue sending signals when they shouldn’t. Over time, those signals can become amplified, which is why the discomfort can feel persistent and hard to calm down.

Most conventional options are designed to block pain after it shows up. While that can be helpful, they don’t always address why the discomfort continues in the first place.


Natural approaches tend to take a different path. Instead of trying to shut off the signal, the goal is to help the body settle the processes that keep those nerves activated.


One ingredient that fits this approach is PEA (palmitoylethanolamide). It’s something your body produces in response to stress and inflammation, but levels can decline over time, especially when irritation becomes more chronic. In those cases, supplementing can help support what the body is already trying to do.

Essentially, PEA helps turn down the volume on irritated nerves rather than trying to block it completely. It works by calming inflammation, reducing the signals that drive discomfort, helping irritated nerves settle down, and supporting the body’s natural recovery process.


That said, one of the challenges with PEA has always been how well it’s absorbed and used by the body. Standard forms don’t always allow for efficient uptake, which can limit the effectiveness.


That’s where a newer option comes in. Enzymedica’s Joint & Muscle features a patented form of PEA designed to improve absorption so more of it can actually be used by the body. In clinical research on low back pain with a nerve component, participants began noticing improvements within the first week, with significant relief reported over four to eight weeks.


For this type of lingering, nerve-driven discomfort, the goal isn’t to shut the system down. It’s to help the body settle what’s driving it. To learn more about how PEA may be able to help, please stop in.


Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store, located at 9243 W. Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. Call 440-885-9505 or visit VChoice.com for more information.


This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.


By Michael Ventresca • October 28, 2026
This is a subtitle for your new post
By Michael Ventresca • October 14, 2026
Have you ever eaten a meal with garlic or onions, and almost instantly had stomach upset? Does it seem like just about everything you eat causes gas, bloating or indigestion? If this sounds like you, or if you’ve been told to try a FODMAP diet, today’s article could be the missing piece to a very frustrating puzzle. I know it was for me. Most people have heard of lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity, but far fewer are familiar with fructan sensitivity. Fructans are naturally occurring carboyhydrates found in a wide variety of foods but in especially high concentrations in everything from garlic and onions, to asparagus, wheat and even watermelon. For people who have difficulty digesting fructans, these foods can cause gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and sometimes diarrhea. The frustrating part is that fructans are found in so many seemingly unrelated foods that it can feel like almost everything you eat is causing a problem. That was my experience for years. Over the years, I tried a number of digestive enzymes. While many of them helped, none of them were a perfect match for the garlic, onion and pasta found in some of my favorite Italian meals. Then I stumbled across a product called FODZYME. FODZYME contains three digestive enzymes, including fructan hydrolase, an enzyme specifically designed to help break down fructans. FODZYME is a tasteless powder that you sprinkle directly on your food just before eating. The enzymes mix with the food and begin breaking down the fructans as you chew, before they cause problems further down the digestive tract. For me, the difference has been night and day. I am finally able to enjoy foods I have avoided for years. It’s important to note, there is still some trial and error involved regarding dosage. Because the amount of fructans varies from meal to meal, I find I need to adjust how much I use. Sometimes, one scoop is plenty, other times, I’ll use two. But if garlic, onions, wheat, or other high-fructan foods consistently leave you feeling miserable, FODZYME may be just what you need to start enjoying the foods you love. To learn more, or to try FODZYME, please stop in today. Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. The phone number is 440-885-9505 or visit VChoice.com . This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
By Michael Ventresca • September 11, 2026
Still dealing with stiff, achy joints despite taking collagen? The answer may not be more collagen—but a different kind. 
By Michael Ventresca • August 13, 2026
If your body is ready for bed but your mind is still going, lemon balm may help you relax and make the transition to sleep easier.
By Michael Ventresca • July 10, 2026
An ancient Mediterranean fruit is finding new life as a modern wellness ally. 
By Michael Ventresca • June 22, 2026
Give your brain the nutritional support it needs to stay focused, alert and engaged.
By Michael Ventresca • April 15, 2026
Hydration depends on having the right balance of minerals inside and outside your cells, so water moves where it is needed. Without them, water can pass through the body without fully hydrating the tissues.
By Michael Ventresca • April 15, 2026
For many, allergy season doesn’t begin with sneezing. It starts with sinus pressure, headaches and post-nasal drip. By the time classic allergy symptoms show up, the immune system has often been reacting for weeks.
By Michael Ventresca • February 11, 2026
Supporting your body’s stress response can lead to more consistent energy. 
Woman in teal sweater holding her right side, possibly experiencing abdominal pain.
By Michael Ventresca • January 14, 2026
Supporting the liver in January can help improve digestion, energy levels and overall balance heading into the new year. 
More Posts