With so many methods available for treating chronic pain, it can be hard to discern which ones qualify as alternative therapies. But as more holistic medicine doctors (board-certified physicians who aim to address both mind and body) recommend complementary techniques alongside medications, the lines have begun blurring further.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient practice involving stimulating certain points on your body with needles. This stimulation may release chemicals in the spinal cord and brain that relieve pain and reduce inflammation, as well as helping many conditions. Acupuncture has an excellent safety record and should be considered when used alongside prescription drugs; but always consult your physician first, to assess its effects on any medications prescribed to you.
Acupressure and yoga are among many mind-body therapies proven to reduce pain. Other alternative treatments such as herbal medicine, magnetic waves and hypnosis may also provide assistance, although most have yet to undergo rigorous scientific investigation due to not qualifying as “alternative” and therefore potentially not qualifying for federal drug insurance coverage.
Locating a qualified, licensed acupuncturist is essential. Acupuncturists must undergo extensive educational programs before passing state licensing exams. When scheduling your initial consultation, make sure to ask about their experience and research, read online reviews or ask friends and family members for recommendations of possible candidates.
Although most alternative therapies have some evidence of effectiveness, more testing needs to be done to compare them with traditional medicine. Some also have nonspecific effects like placebo effects that can alter how you perceive your pain; nonetheless, many have reported significant gains when combined with conventional treatment and medications. It’s wise to consult your doctor first when considering any alternative therapy; doing it without supervision may make symptoms worse or even lead to their worsening. Yet these therapies can still provide safe and effective means of managing pain as they help you lessen or eliminate medication dependency altogether.
Massage
Massage involves manipulating soft tissues of the body – muscles, skin and connective tissue). Massage is generally relaxing and may help relieve pain. Furthermore, massage has been found to improve circulation, energy levels and alertness; decreasing anxiety and depression; as well as reduce edema (fluid accumulation in cells, tissues or body cavities), increasing regional warmth and blood flow while increasing muscle pliability to ease discomfort and foster healing.
Massage therapy can be an effective solution to conditions caused by muscle tension, such as neck and backaches. Massage should only ever be conducted under the supervision of a trained professional; pressure sores or any skin conditions that cannot tolerate friction should not receive massage; osteoporosis patients should avoid receiving massage as this could weaken bones further and increase fracture risk; those suffering from deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism should avoid it; it is not advised during pregnancy either.
Rolfing or Aston massage are intended to correct poor body alignment by encouraging more efficient patterns of movement that do not strain muscles and joints. Furthermore, movement therapies may help manage edema by decreasing fluid accumulation within tissues and cells and aiding physical recovery after injury.
Additional research must be completed to understand the efficacy of alternative therapies for pain management, but some, including mind-body therapies, acupuncture and certain herbal remedies are considered safe when combined with conventional treatments – though these shouldn’t replace prescribed medications.
Yoga
Yoga is a practice encompassing exercises, postures, breathing techniques and meditation designed to unite body, mind and spirit. Yoga has long been practiced among followers of Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism and is popularly practiced throughout the United States. Research shows yoga can reduce back pain while increasing flexibility and strengthening muscles as well as alleviating stress; it should always be performed under supervision by trained instructors in order to avoid injury.
Yoga may also help relieve neuropathic pain (NP). Three studies showed that participants who took part in standardized yoga programs experienced greater improvements than when they didn’t. Unfortunately, though these results may be generalized and use of various scales for pain assessment can make accuracy of findings difficult.
Yoga offers more than pain relief; it also can reduce depression and anxiety, improve quality of life and cognitive functioning, lower stress levels and lessen hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis sensitivity to cortisol levels. Yoga may even help pregnant women overcome physical and emotional challenges associated with pregnancy.
Robert Saper of School of Medicine received a $625,000 NIH award to study yoga’s effectiveness for chronic low back pain in underserved populations. He plans on conducting experiments to see whether specialized yoga regimens may aid patients who do not respond to traditional treatments like medications and physical therapy, hoping his work will eventually result in new ways of managing back pain; additionally he wants to identify which alternative therapies may complement traditional medical therapies and how these could be integrated.
Meditation
Meditation is a mind-body treatment that can help ease pain. Meditation is a form of prayer and involves sitting still, closing your eyes, and silently repeating one word or phrase over and over – whether religiously themed, mantra-based, or otherwise. Focusing attention and reducing distractions through repetition helps create focus in one area of the brain while the four syllable word Maranatha may help make things simpler for beginners.
Other mind-body treatments include relaxation techniques, guided imagery, biofeedback and hypnosis. Biofeedback utilizes monitoring devices to teach users how to consciously control bodily functions such as your heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and sweating. Clinical hypnosis offers one method for controlling pain by replacing negative and painful thoughts with neutral or positive ones.
Complementary therapies, also known as integrative medicine, refers to methods used in addition to conventional medical care. Before trying any complementary therapy treatments, consult with your physician; they’ll be able to advise if these practices have been shown to alleviate pain or interfere with any medications you’re currently taking.
Alternative therapy methods have not been scientifically studied, yet many people report they help. Some work by diverting you away from pain-inducing stressors while simultaneously relieving it; while others can boost the effectiveness of pain-killers.
Alternative therapies involve physical activity, like yoga and massage. You can do these either on your own or with a professional who specializes in them; some techniques may be better suited to certain pain areas like back or joint issues. Before using alternative therapies as part of any chronic illness such as diabetes or high blood pressure management plans, consult your doctor first.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
People living with chronic pain such as CRPS may struggle with its psychological impacts. Luckily, you can seek psychological assistance to alleviate some of your pain symptoms and enhance quality of life.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is one of the most successful psychological treatments for chronic pain. CBT works by shifting thought patterns that contribute to pain and other unpleasant symptoms, with the goal being that patients learn their thoughts can influence how they feel while their actions can further impact that feeling.
CBT offers numerous advantages, but its access is often difficult for some individuals. Most CBT programs require multiple sessions which may not fit within people’s busy lives; researchers are now investigating if an alternative form of CBT, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), can be equally effective for people suffering from CRPS and chronic pain.
CBT differs from traditional psychotherapy in that it aims to change negative thought patterns that exacerbate pain, helping patients recognize that discomfort is an integral part of life and learn how to manage it more effectively. Furthermore, it reduces arousal that impairs pain-regulating chemicals in the brain – something Hullett emphasizes as being of equal benefit for both parties involved in therapy sessions.
CBT for pain typically entails weekly group or individual sessions that last 45 to two hours each, with up to 24 sessions possible, along with possible booster sessions. Your therapist will perform a detailed evaluation of your condition’s history and current management techniques before creating a treatment plan to help meet your goals.
