7 Types of Alternative Treatments Associated With Pain Management
If you’ve suffered a painful injury, life may not look the same for you. You’ll likely have to go through physical therapy to help regain the use of injured body parts. Sometimes, the injured parts of your body may not work as they did before your accident.
Another unfortunate consequence is that you may suffer from lifelong pain.
The typical approach to pain management usually involves pain killers. Extended treatment most often requires the use of prescription pain medication. While powerful, many of these medications can lead to dependency and addiction.
Many people are also skeptical of the chemicals used to create prescription pain meds. If you would like to learn more about alternative treatments in pain relief, keep reading to find out more.
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been a long-practiced method for pain management that dates back to 100 BCE. Chinese doctors believed that illness resulted from an imbalance of energy in the body.
To correct the imbalance, disposable stainless steel needles are used to help stimulate the body’s fourteen major meridians.
Pain management doctors believe that acupuncture reduces pain by increasing the release of endorphins, which can help block pain.
Acu-points are the areas where acupuncture specialists insert the needles. These acu-points are believed to live near nerves. When these points are stimulated, the nerves cause a dull ache or feeling of fullness in the muscle.
The muscle sends a message to the central nervous system, which releases endorphins and other neurotransmitters that block pain signals. Acupuncture has been used to help treat headaches, low back pain, menstrual cramps, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions.
2. Chiropractic Treatment and Massage
Chiropractic treatment is the most common form of nonsurgical treatment for back pain. Chiropractic treatment has been noted to help ease back pain. For chronic neck and back pain, however, it isn’t an effective treatment.
Chiropractic treatment has also been noted to help ease headaches, neck pain, some arm and leg conditions, and whiplash.
Chiropractic treatment involves spinal manipulation, which can include applying pressure to the spine. The spine is a sensitive part of the body, and some people have concerns about the practice. However, serious complications like pinched nerves and worsening herniated discs have rarely been reported.
Massage therapy is also a popular form of advanced pain management. It is primarily used to treat chronic neck and back pain. Massage therapy can help reduce stress and relieve tension by enhancing the body’s blood flow.
It also can help reduce chemicals that generate and maintain pain.
3. Pain Management Through Music Therapy
Listening to music can be an effective method for treating chronic pain. Music stimulates feelings of pleasure, which can stimulate the release of endorphins. It also provides a fun distraction so people won’t notice their pain.
Music therapy incorporates a psychological and physical approach to treatment. Music therapists get to know their patients by assessing an individual’s goals from therapy, along with the kinds of genres of music they enjoy. From there, they adapt their treatment methods to meet those goals.
Treatment methods can include singing songs, writing songs, playing instruments, and listening to music. It’s also accessible to everyone regardless of musical skill – or lack thereof.
4. Tai Chi
Tai chi is a mind and body exercise that originated in China. It has been used to promote physical health and stave off disease.
Many people use tai chi for overall wellness, but it also has been used to treat specific medical conditions. It is used most often to treat pain, arthritis, and mental disorders.
Chen-style tai chi has also been used to treat lower back pain. This style of tai chi emphasizes shifting between fast and slow movements. It is believed that these movements increase lumbar spine stimulation and strengthen the lower back.
Multiple sclerosis is a condition that causes pain that also causes other side effects. Some of these side effects include ataxia, impaired balance, and tremors. Multiple tai chi sessions a week over some time can help reduce and ease many of MS’ symptoms.
5. The Use of Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis uses cognitive processes, such as the imagination, to allow people to respond to suggestions. These suggestions allow people to experience changes in perceptions, thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and sensations. Hypnosis allows people to use their minds and bodies to manage pain, among other things.
Hypnosis is an effective treatment of the stimuli that cause pain rather than the pain itself. It can also enhance the benefits of other forms of advanced pain management, like physical therapy.
6. Therapeutic Touch and Reiki Healing
These forms of therapy are believed to activate the self-healing process in people, which reduces pain. These energy-based forms of therapy don’t use physical touch, but require proximity between the healer and the patient.
Reiki allows healing energy to flow from the healer to the patient. When this occurs, it stimulates relaxation, which can help reduce pain and tension. It also helps reduce stress and anxiety, which can further contribute to pain reduction.
7. Dietary Changes to Treat Pain
By reducing fat intake and incorporating vegetables that reduce inflammation, some people believe dietary changes can help reduce pain. Vegetarian diets may be one of the best dietary methods to help ease pain.
Fibromyalgia and even premenstrual cramps have been treated through vegetarian diets.
A Legacy of Caring
Pain management doesn’t always require pills for treatment. Alternative practices such as tai chi, music therapy, and even dietary changes can help promote pain relief. There are plenty of alternative treatments available at a specialized pain management clinic that have the alternative therapies you desire.
Injury Care Center is one such facility. Our pain management doctors are qualified to help you ease your suffering. If you’d like to learn more about our treatment programs, give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.
