Complementary and Alternative Medicines for Chronic Pain |

Chronic pain, lingering, persistent pain, may not respond well to conventional therapy options. If such is the case, you may want to try complementary and alternative medications (CAM). CAM is a phrase used for practices and therapies that are not currently considered part of conventional medicine. However, pain relief is found by many patients.

For everyone in the exact same manner, they may not work like any other remedies, so because you determine what works best for life and the pain, you may need to try CAM therapies. Complementary and alternative treatments can either complement (used in conjunction with) or become an alternative to traditional “Western” medicine.

For chronic pain, you might want to try:

Acupuncture/Acupressure

As per a recent research published in the British Medical Journal, acupuncture is effective in treating chronic neck pain. In a questionnaire ran for neck pain patients on treatment options, patients reported that they were more satisfied with acupuncture than with traditional injections.

A German study also recently found that acupuncture was more effective than conventional non-surgical therapy options (physical therapy, medication, and exercise) for low back pain. The findings of the study were published in the September 24, 2007, version of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Developed in China, acupuncture utilizes needles, without a medicine. to care for your chronic pain. Practitioners feel that you’ve got an energy force called your Chi (it may also be spelled Qi, however, both forms are pronounced “chee”). You can develop illness, like back pain when this force is blocked. You want to free up your body stations, which professionals call your meridians. Acupuncture works to restore a healthy flow of Chi.

Acupuncture needles are nearly as thin as strands of hair follicles. According to your symptoms and diagnosis that is exact, the needles will be inserted by a practitioner. The professional will aim points that are exact within the meridians of your body, and the needles will be left in for 20-40 minutes. It’s been indicated that acupuncture needles cause your body to release specific neurochemicals, like endorphins or serotonin, and they help in the healing process.

Acupressure works like acupuncture since it focuses on these meridians. Instead of needles, the pro uses fingers his/her thumbs, and elbows.

Herbal Remedies/Supplements

Research before attempting any herbal remedies and speak with your physician. There might be side effects which you’re unaware of or a herbal remedy could interfere with other treatments.

Since there are many types of chronic pain, it’s difficult to list all possible remedies or supplements that may help reduce your kind of pain. Your best alternative is to speak to somebody with the proper knowledge on herbal remedies and how they work. But until you get started taking a nutritional supplement or an herbal remedy, talk to your physician.

Massage

Massage is a way to unwind from dealing with a strain of pain throughout your entire body, which is tense. It can help relieve muscle inflammation and pain which may be caused as a result of chronic pain. Physical therapists or massage specialists will know the best, most recommended type of massage for your specific chronic pain.

Mind-Body Therapies

Our thoughts are powerful items, and also therapies can help you learn how to use your head to control your perception of pain and other ailments. Mind-body remedies include:

• Meditation
• Relaxation techniques
• Hypnosis

Mind-body therapies can teach you how to pay attention to the signs that your body is sending you. Biofeedback is a good instance of this. Through relaxation training and methods, you understand how to control your body reactions which could aggravate your chronic pain. Calm muscles that are stressed, among other things, slow your pulse, and you can learn to lower your body temperature, all which can help control chronic pain.

Chiropractic Care for Chronic Pain

If you have chronic back pain, Chiropractic care may be a treatment alternative for you. Various chiropractic care remedies can help you manage chronic pain. Chronic pain is and it does not reply to the normal pain control methods. Chiropractors can cure pain. They utilize a variety of non-surgical treatments, such as spinal manipulation, to address chronic pain symptoms, like inflammation and muscular tension.

How Does a Chiropractor Manage Chronic Pain?

Before you go to a chiropractor it’s important to know just what is causing your pain. A doctor of chiropractic will perform some tests in addition to a physical exam to assist him or her to diagnose your pain. Your chiropractor will create a treatment plan when you’re diagnosed with a chronic pain condition. Your treatment plan may include spinal manipulation, manual therapies, and therapeutic exercises.

Work with your chiropractor to come up with a treatment plan. You should be able to gradually increase your daily activities, once your pain is totally addressed. Chiropractic treatments primarily utilize manual manipulations and chiropractic adjustments, especially along the different levels of the spine, to treat a variety of injuries and/or conditions affecting the individuals original spinal health. Treatment may vary depending on the diagnosis.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 . 
 

By Dr. Alex Jimenez

Additional Topics: Wellness

Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.

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