Consider These Therapies For Long-Term Pain Management

Chronic pain can be difficult to manage, both mentally and physically. It can be hard to realize that the pain you're experiencing will never 100% go away, and you'll just need to find ways to manage it. Luckily, there are plenty of therapies that can help people with long-term, chronic pain management. Here are a few top ones to consider.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a Chinese medical practice that has traditionally been used to treat everything from the flu to sore muscles. There may not be much evidence for its effectiveness in treating specific ailments, but there are studies that support its effectiveness as a pain relief therapy. The insertion of the needles may trigger changes in hormone and neurotransmitter levels that make your pain less noticeable. You can have an acupuncture treatment once a month, once a week, or however often you and your acupuncturist feel is needed for your continued relief. The needles do not hurt going in, and most people feel relief and relaxation almost immediately after the procedure begins.

Trigger Point Therapy

There are certain points along the body, known as trigger points, where the nerves tend to be close to the surface. When these points are touched or massaged, it can cause pain along the same nerve pathways to diminish. This therapy tends to work well for patients with chronic, nerve-related pain due to conditions like multiple sclerosis. Some trigger point therapists simply apply pressure to the relevant trigger points, and others massage the trigger points. You may want to do a little experimenting with both approaches and see which one works best for you.

Herbalism

There are many beneficial herbs that can be used for pain relief. Some people simply look for pain-relieving herbs at the health food store and start taking them. But there is a better approach: seeing an herbalist who specializes in chronic pain management. Such a person can analyze your own needs and recommend a blend of herbs that better targets your pain without causing unwanted side effects. If you're already taking prescription pain medications, this is very important. Some herbs can interact with medications, and an herbalist will make sure you're only taking ones that are safe to combine with your meds.

Between herbalism, acupuncture, and trigger point therapy, you should be able to piece together a holistic pain relief approach. Talk to a local doctor or practitioner such as Dr. Carr Integrative Physical Therapy to learn more.


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