8 Most Popular Alternative Medicine Treatments for Pain Relief

In life, you may suffer from a number of ailments and physical complications. While there are remedies and treatments available for a majority of such conditions, a huge number of people still cannot escape various types of body pains. Such pains can occur in numerous body parts including the thigh, neck, and shoulder. They can be caused by injury or as a precursor of some impending ailment. Irrespective of the root, it becomes imperative to get rid of such pains. While popping in pills and taking OTC medications like sprays and balms is an option, many persons opt for alternative pain treatments.

8 Alternative Pain Relief Treatments

1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient healing therapy that has a Chinese origin. In this method, fine steel needles are inserted at specific points in the human body. The theory is the insertion of needles at specific pressure points facilitates free movement of vital energy called Qi in the body. When this is achieved, anomalies and complications in nerves, muscles, and tissues are gradually reduced. While a section of medical communities remains skeptical about Acupuncture's efficacy in pain relief, it has received support from entities like WHO. However, it needs to be remembered that the efficacy of this technique varies considerably from one person to another. You may benefit from the first session while another person may require some follow-up sessions to feel some effective relief from pain.

2. Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a technique for pain management that is based on the concept of teaching recipients to affect involuntary bodily functions like blood pressure, muscle tension, and cardiac rate, etc. When you become aware of such body functionalities and learn how they respond to pain, you can amend them as per pain symptoms. It remains to be proved scientifically why biofeedback helps reduce pain, but the proponents say it simply lets the recipient relax and reduces physical symptoms affected by stress.

3. Relaxation Therapy

It has been seen that stress can worsen, and lead to the formation of disease and the same can be said about Pain. Pain also leads to stress and this impacts heart rate and blood pressure. Instead of applying balms and OTC products, you can resort to relaxation therapy. This therapy includes the application of progressive muscle relaxation as well as meditation. The resultant reduction in stress levels helps you cope with pain as well.

4. Tai Chi

Its origins can be traced to China. The Tai Chi practitioners use gentle and slow body movements and this is accompanied by deep breathing techniques. It can be effective in treating chronic pain that does not respond well to conventional pain relief techniques. The method can also be used as a preventive measure against pain.

5. Massage Therapy

Massages can be quite invigorating, especially after a tiring week. However, it can also be therapeutic for pain relief. In massage therapy, a practitioner manipulates tissues, muscles, and nerves in the recipient's body. Massage oils and lotions can be applied to increase the efficacy of the massage at times.

6. Hypnotherapy

This is one alternative and complementary method for relief from pain. It is used to help affected people relax and reduces stress associated with pain. Studies have indicated hypnosis is useful for decreasing anxiety that comes with pain and so it essentially eliminates dependence on pain medications in the long run.

7. Chiropractic

This is not part of the mainstream medicinal procedure, but chiropractic is an alternative method that can be used for pain management. Chiropractors make adjustments to the recipient's body to enable self-healing. They focus on aligning the human body's musculoskeletal structure and spinal region. It can be used for joint pain, lower back pain, and muscle-related pains.

8. Aromatherapy

Contrary to what many people think, aromatherapy is not only related to beauty and sensuality. Specific essential plant oils have healing properties that can be used to reduce pain. People suffering from pain associated with ailments like rheumatoid arthritis respond well to aromatherapy. Headaches can also be treated with aromatic oils.