Complementary Pain Management Treatments You May Not Know Exist

Most people have a few methods of pain relief that they use as an automatic go-to, such as certain rubs or ibuprofen. However, when pain becomes severe or chronic, it may be time to check into other options. Surgery may come to the forefront of your mind, but it is certainly not the only option out there. In fact, there are some techniques that you may not even realize can work wonders. These complementary pain management treatments are offered by doctors and aim to help those suffering.

Biofeedback is one of these. With this practice your body has small electrical sensors attached to it which send feedback, or information, to your body, helping you learn to control certain bodily functions. This is a way to use controlled thoughts to affect your body, such as learning how to relax muscles and reducing pain. With biofeedback you learn how to take personal control over your own physiological functions by increasing control over your pain perception, heart rate, muscle tone and other body responses.

Some may view acupuncture as a new age-y method of meditative medicine that is also used in complementary pain management treatments. In fact, acupuncture has been around for centuries and has shown itself to be quite impressive in pain management. Trained therapists insert small needles into specific points throughout the body to released energy blockages, thus allowing for a more natural flow and increased healing. Usually this therapy is scheduled regularly at the beginning, and then tapers into fewer sessions as the pain eases.

If your pain is neuropathic, meaning it is originating in your central nervous system, it is possible that hormonal imbalance is a factor. Hormone replacement therapy can be useful in balancing your body’s testosterone and other hormones that are being produced at inadequate levels. This type of pain management can assist with both acute and chronic pain issues. While a shift in these hormonal levels is more often associated with females, it can actually affect both men and women.

Managing pain does not mean you have to jump straight in to the most invasive procedures. Ask your doctor to consider a plan that includes a complementary method for increased benefits.

By Dr. James  Lin
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