Complementary therapies have strong scientific evidence showing that they help people manage their chronic pain. Complementary therapies can include a broad range of options, but are defined as therapies used alongside conventional medicines or treatments. Speak with your provider about these therapies and which might be right to assist you in your pain management.
Some of these therapies used in pain management include:
Acupuncture: A treatment that many find helpful with chronic pain conditions especially headaches, low back pain, neck pain and knee pain. Acupuncture is performed by inserting small needles into the skin and can be used with electrical stimulation. Acupuncture has been performed by many Asian countries for thousands of years. Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord and bran, which promotes healing, reduces inflammation and pain.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: We know that chronic pain is physical, social and emotional, CBT allows you to identify tools you can use to manage stressors and environmental situations, which may make impact your pain. We also know depression and anxiety often go hand in hand wit chronic pain. A licensed therapist will explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviors impacting your pain. Therapists can help identify patterns and guide you to develop better patterns of thought.
Massage Therapy: Massage therapy is performed by a licensed therapist that works on muscles and tissues. There has been much research on the benefits of massage therapy for various conditions.
Chiropractic: Chiropractors focus on treating spinal alignment to assist in alleviating pain, particularly for headaches, back pain, neck pain and joint conditions.
Meditation: Used for centuries, meditation encourages you to clear your mind of distracting or stressful thoughts allowing you to experience relaxation and clarity.
Yoga: While it can seem like you should not be active when in pain, the body needs motion and movement to heal. In fact, patients who undergo cardiac bypass surgery are up and walking the very next day because of the powerful benefits of movement for the body. Yoga combines breathing, stretching and relaxation techniques to minimize pain, soreness, reduce blood pressure, reduce stress and increase blood flow to certain areas. There are various forms of yoga and it is generally very low impact making it popular for all ages and abilities.
