Are Alternative Chronic Pain Treatments Effective?

When you’re struggling with chronic pain, even the simplest day-to-day activities can be a battle. Unsatisfied with medications and wary of surgical options, many chronic pain sufferers are turning to alternative, less invasive therapies to help them manage their chronic pain conditions.

Treatments like massage therapy and physical therapy can have a demonstrated effect on controlling and easing pain and are becoming increasingly popular among chronic pain sufferers. Massage therapy does not necessarily provide long lasting pain relief, but research suggests that massage and manual therapy techniques like myofascial release, can help alleviate aches and pains, reduce swelling, and improve mobility and range of motion. Some physical therapy clinics have a staff of specially certified experts who can provide a variety of massages designed to help individuals suffering from chronic pain find relief and learn self-massage techniques..

In addition to using manual therapy techniques to restore movement and control pain symptoms, physical therapists use ice, heat, ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENs) to curb pain and promote healing. Some exercises done under the supervision of a qualified expert may also help correct pain-inducing musculoskeletal misalignments and destructive posture.

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Source: RealAge.com “Hands On Healing”