When over-the-counter and prescription medicines don’t provide sufficient relief, patients may turn to alternative therapies for help. These techniques use natural or organic solutions that may address multiple symptoms at once.
Acupuncture, massage therapy, Tai Chi and osteopath manipulation can all be effective forms of pain management. Residents at the University of Arizona-Tucson Alvernon Family Medicine Residency Program are trained in evaluating these nonpharmacologic strategies for pain relief.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture has many uses and benefits, including treating chronic neck or back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines and headaches. Some acupuncturists also employ electroacupuncture, laser acupuncture or moxabustion (burning of moxa over pressure points) techniques.
Studies demonstrate the efficacy of acupuncture for relieving chronic pain conditions, making it widely accessible and often covered by health insurance plans. Acupuncture has proven its efficacy at relieving both muscular and psychological distress related to chronic pain conditions; studies also support its safety; however it’s advised that patients refrain from drinking alcohol or taking any drugs prior to scheduling an acupuncture appointment.
Psychological approaches, dietary approaches, physical activity and massage therapy have also proven useful in managing pain effectively. Before engaging any complementary therapies for pain management it is wise to speak to your healthcare team as some may interact with cancer medications or cause unwanted side effects.
Painful joints and muscles are part of growing older, but when they persist it’s essential to have an arsenal of medication-free remedies at your disposal. The key to effectively managing chronic pain is exploring different therapies until one works for you; consult with your physician on possible therapies and then set an appointment with an expert in pain management to discuss available treatment options and find one tailored specifically to you.
Massage
Massage is an effective remedy for muscle soreness and other ailments, but it’s also proven useful as an preventive tool in relieving stress. Numerous patients report regular massage sessions have decreased anxiety levels and depression rates while others claim that massage eases symptoms from chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia.
Massage techniques have long been an integral part of most cultures, evolving over time into systems of healing that range from generalized benefits like relaxation or improved sleep, to therapeutic benefits specific to soft tissue in the body. Reflexology is one such form of massage therapy which uses manipulation of feet, hands and other parts of the body in order to promote health and healing; practitioners of this form believe their health depends upon healthy joints, muscles and organs for overall well-being.
Massage techniques vary, with most clinical trials of this alternative therapy focusing on its more traditional aspects – relieving pain and increasing circulation, for example. Studies indicate that full-body massage helps lower blood pressure, relieve musculoskeletal discomfort and alleviate anxiety.
Massage may increase the efficacy of medications such as antidepressants and painkillers; however, before receiving any massage therapy of any sort a patient should always consult their physician first to ascertain its safety and select an experienced massage therapist. Furthermore, doctors can assist in identifying whether massage might interact with other forms of medical therapy or worsen certain conditions – for instance patients suffering from blood-clotting disorders should avoid massage that puts undue strain on the circulatory system.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient practice combining physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. Studies have demonstrated its many health and fitness benefits including strength building, increased flexibility, decreased pain levels and stress relief. Yoga comes in different varieties depending on your goals and fitness level – ashtanga yoga for instance is an aggressive practice consisting of repeated postures while others might focus on breathing techniques, singing or spiritual development.
Yoga, meaning union, is believed to unite mind, body and spirit. Yoga may help improve muscle flexibility and balance while often used with other exercises to manage chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain. According to some studies, it may even reduce back pain, neck pain and knee osteoarthritis while providing other benefits like improved mood, quality of life as well as reduced anxiety symptoms and depression symptoms.
As is often the case, most yoga research has been conducted among non-Hispanic white women who are well educated and possess higher incomes, making it hard to know whether these findings apply equally well across all populations. Before beginning yoga for medical conditions such as sciatica, it’s wise to consult your healthcare provider and follow their advice regarding safe practices that won’t exacerbate symptoms. Alternative treatments that could help with pain management include Tai chi and Qigong, both forms of meditative movement incorporating breathing techniques and meditation. Both have proven particularly helpful in relieving discomfort associated with osteoarthritis while simultaneously improving pain, stiffness, balance, sleep quality and mood.
Chiropractic care
Chiropractic care is an alternative form of medicine involving manual therapies like spinal manipulation. It’s commonly used to relieve back and other body pain while simultaneously relieving muscle stiffness and improving range of motion. People of any age may use chiropractic treatments; though older adults tend to favor them. Before undertaking chiropractic treatments it’s wise to consult your physician first.
Some people experience severe discomfort during chiropractic adjustments; others feel nothing at all. There are risks associated with chiropractic care that some may find concerning. Herniated disks and stroke have been reported after neck adjustments, along with complications including numbness and weakness in legs, arms or feet which could occur if an excess amount of pressure was applied by the chiropractor when moving your spine inappropriately.
Studies have demonstrated that alternative therapies may reduce the need for opioid medication and may also assist in managing chronic pain by decreasing inflammation, improving movement and strengthening muscles and bones, while simultaneously increasing strength and balance. More research needs to be completed in order to establish their efficacy.
As many of these approaches aren’t widely available or cost effective, access may be more challenging for people without insurance, living in rural areas or with transportation challenges. Clinicians should become acquainted with low-cost solutions available within their communities in order to refer patients accordingly.
Any individual suffering from chronic pain should explore all available treatment options to them, from conventional medical treatments to complementary and integrative approaches. It’s essential they become educated on techniques used, while being open-minded enough to try new things. It should also be remembered that science remains uncertain regarding these approaches – always consult a health care provider prior to trying something unconventional or complementary.
Osteopathy
Chronic joint pain can severely decrease quality of life. While traditional therapies like pain medication may provide temporary relief, they don’t address the root causes. That’s where alternative approaches like osteopathy come in to play – by treating those causes directly.
Osteopathy is a holistic approach that utilizes manual techniques to enhance function and relieve pain, making it suitable for treating conditions like backache, neck ache, headaches and more. Osteopathic physicians also employ techniques designed to increase blood flow to affected areas which helps reduce inflammation while hasten healing.
Osteopathic medical therapy (OMT) can be performed on several parts of the body, including spine and joints. This technique involves gentle manipulations applied directly to joints, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue in order to reduce inflammation, improve flexibility and promote natural self-healing processes within our bodies.
Osteopathy is an efficient and safe solution to chronic pain that can be used alone or combined with other treatments. Unlike many alternative approaches, osteopathic medicine embraces a patient-centric philosophy which recognizes that our bodies possess an inborn capacity for self-healing when properly supported. As well as Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), OMT physicians also provide lifestyle advice and nutritional counseling as part of an integrative approach aimed at providing long-term relief from chronic discomfort while improving quality of life.
