In conjunction with medicinal pain treatment, enhance your pain management program with the addition of complementary therapies that suit you and your lifestyle! A combination of medicinal and complementary therapies is often very effective. Keep in mind that as with any treatment approach, use of complementary therapies must be discussed with your doctor upfront!
Complementary techniques to manage pain may include biofeedback, massage, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and self-regulation techniques such as self-hypnosis, relaxation training, yoga and reiki.
Practitioners of complementary medicine often view health as a balance of physical, emotional and spiritual factors and attempt to restore this balance through their therapies.
We've included detailed information for a number of complementary therapies that may be helpful for you as part a holistic pain management plan.
According to principles of acupuncture, health can be restored by inserting long and extremely thin needles along defined energy pathways or meridians in the body to remove energy blocks and achieve balance.
Acupuncture can be used to relieve pain and discomfort. It also can be combined with electrical stimulation (electro-acupuncture).
The World Health Organization recommends acupuncture for conditions such as tennis elbow, sciatica, lower back pain, headache and migraine.
Biofeedback is a technique that teaches people to use visual or sound cues to control their own biological responses to pain and stress. Patients can then learn to relax muscles and induce a state of calmness that may help to decrease the sensation of pain.
The primary focus of chiropractic is the detection, reduction and correction of spinal misalignments and nervous system dysfunction. When performed gently, manipulation is usually referred to as mobilization. Patients may experience temporary pain relief from this therapy although this might not form part of a long-term treatment plan.
Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that involves sitting or lying quietly and imagining yourself in a favourite peaceful setting. Explore the detail of your imagined world. Take in the sounds, the temperature, the textures and the views to truly let go and relax.
Hypnosis for pain management involves entering an altered state of consciousness so that one becomes open to suggestion which may result in a decreased pain sensation. Self-hypnosis is also feasible and involves inducing an altered state of consciousness on your own so that pain sensation can be self-managed in this way.
Progressively relaxing your muscles can help to achieve a state of complete relaxation. Start by focusing on your toes and feet – deliberately tense the muscles in your toes and feet and then release the tension completely. Continue this process all the way up your body. Avoid tensing painful areas if necessary!
Breathing techniques help the body to relax and also allows the mind to escape for a few minutes during the day! Breathe in through your nose for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of seven and then breathe out through your mouth for eight counts. Repeat this cycle for up to five minutes, twice a day.
Improve flexibility and muscle tone, develop good deep breathing and reduce stress with yoga. Yoga focuses on physical postures and breathing exercises. As with any exercise program, chat to your healthcare professional before you commence!
Complementary therapies are additional ways to help you manage your pain better. Just another quick reminder to keep your doctor in the loop if you decide to include one or more complimentary therapies to your pain management program!