While most of the time we think about using medication to ease pain, the reality is that sometimes other treatments are better, sometimes because these other treatments can bring better relief and sometimes because personal preference or a physical condition makes us seek out other ways to deal with the pain.
There is growing evidence that alternative treatments can be very effective with fewer side effects than those that are associated with pain medication. Plus, growing evidence shows that the mind/body connection may be more effective in managing pain long term.
Here are some of the more common alternative treatments for pain.
Acupuncture: This is traditional Chinese medicine. The method consists of the insertion of fine needles into the skin at very specific sites of the body that correlate to pain points. The idea is that this work by releasing negative energy. It seems to be a very effective treatment for back pain.
Massage: When muscles relax, pain can often ease up or dissipate. Tense muscles can contribute to pain as well as make it less tolerable. Massaging the muscles to relax them can help.
Spinal Manipulation: Also known as chiropractic care, controlled force is applied to the spine at the joints to realign it and relieve pressure that causes pain. The research is still out on how often spinal manipulation should be done for a given pain issue, but there is evidence that it can relieve not only back pain but also headaches.
Tai Chi: While many think of Tai Chi as a sort of exercise, a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that fibromyalgia patients saw positive results in reduction of their pain when practicing Tai Chi for 60 minutes a day, twice a week for 12 weeks.
If you wish to seek out an alternative treatment, it is best to do through research ahead of time and make sure that you seek out a qualified professional.
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