Pain Management Alternative Therapies
Alternative therapies like massage therapy, yoga, acupuncture and meditation have been scientifically proven effective at relieving chronic pain.
Mind-body therapies such as meditation, guided imagery, hypnosis and biofeedback can be extremely helpful. These methods help to relax you by increasing your capacity to regulate emotions, focus on positive thoughts and relax.
According to a study from Veterans Health Administration San Diego Healthcare System, telehealth cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) had similar results to in-person care for people suffering from low back pain. CBT helps individuals recognize negative and unproductive thoughts and replace them with healthier ones, which may help reduce their perception of pain.
Osteopathic manipulative treatment has been scientifically proven to have some benefit for some conditions. It helps the body heal itself by realigning joints and bones, relieving muscle and tendon pain. This kind of therapy has been used to address conditions like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sports injuries with great success.
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) – TENS is a non-invasive treatment that may reduce pain by interrupting signals sent to the brain and encouraging endorphin production. TENS works by sending small amounts of electricity directly onto skin via wires and electrodes attached to a battery-powered device.
Heat – Heat can help reduce stiffness in joints, ease muscle spasms and increase blood flow. Warm baths, warm water bottles or heating pads are all effective for relieving aches and pains.
Cold – Running cold water over an area or applying ice packs to a painful area can help reduce symptoms. This approach works well for various pain conditions such as arthritis, headaches or joint inflammation.
Energy-based approaches such as therapeutic touch and reiki healing are believed to activate the body’s own natural self-healing mechanism. While these methods don’t necessitate physical contact, they often involve close proximity between practitioner and patient.
Research has indicated that certain methods of pain relief and inflammation reduction may help. A study from the University of California at San Francisco demonstrated that reiki healing is particularly helpful for chronic conditions like fibromyalgia or arthritis, though more study is necessary to confirm its efficacy.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that utilizes fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body, which can reduce inflammation and promote healing. According to research published in The Journal of Clinical Medicine, acupuncture may be effective for relieving chronic pain – particularly neck and back discomfort – for some individuals.
Chiropractic treatments can be an excellent solution for people suffering from chronic pain, such as headaches or backaches. A chiropractor can help alleviate the discomfort and reduce swelling, effectively relieving some of the causes of these ailments that cause such discomfort.
Other methods like whirlpools, ultrasound and deep-muscle massage have been known to be successful at relieving chronic pain. According to Mayo Clinic, these can be part of an overall strategy for relieving neck and back discomfort.