Whether it’s for chronic back pain, joint pain, or even a migraine headache, you know how priceless pain relief can be. In pursuit of health and physical well-being, many people are now turning to non-drug pain relief options, including some alternative pain management techniques. In fact, many doctors recommend these pain management measures in addition to more traditional pain relief medications.
Many pain management techniques are age-old treatments, and some do not have a clear medical foundation. Let’s explore some of the popular non-drug pain relief / pain management options currently available. Talk to your doctor before considering any of them – they’re not right for everyone.
Exercise
For many years people believed that exercise should be strictly avoided during bouts of pain. However, recent research has proven otherwise. Today, exercise therapy is one of the most popular and recommended pain management techniques available. Exercise not only keeps the joints and muscles fit and strong, but it also releases chemicals that reduce the perception of pain.
However, not all exercises are appropriate or safe for everyone; consult your doctor or a fitness professional before starting on an exercise regime for pain relief.
Heat Therapy
Dry heat applied to a particular part of the body creates a temporary condition known as hyperemia, associated with dilated blood vessels and an increase in local temperature and blood supply. This relieves congested blood vessels or tissues, providing pain relief. Some therapies that use dry heat include:
- Infrared. Infrared light focused on the affected region provides pain relief for lumbago and some injury-related pain. This treatment may also provide pain relief from rheumatism. It is not suitable for diabetics or people with sensitive skin.
- Wax baths. The area to be treated is coated with melted paraffin wax, covered by a wax-proof paper, a plastic sheet, and finally a towel for half-an-hour. Those with arthritis of the hands and/or wrists are often prescribed this therapy along with pain relief medication.
- Radiant heat. A reflective surface lined with light bulbs can provide pain relief from musculo-skeletal pains and sciatica. This pain relief treatment is not suitable for babies, the elderly, or people with high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.
Hydrotherapy
A whirlpool bath often soothes aching muscles and skin. Many spas, health resorts and pain management clinics offer hydrotherapy as a pain relief treatment. These therapies often involve hot, cold, or alternating hot-and-cold baths.
- Hot baths. Hot baths cause blood vessels to dilate, increase blood flow to the skin, and stimulate sweat glands. After soaking, the body will feel cool and relaxed.
- Cold baths. During a cold bath, blood vessels contract. After the bath they dilate again, frequently bringing pain relief and warmth to the skin.
- Alternate hot-and-cold baths. During this therapy, blood vessels dilate and contract alternately, reducing congestion of blood vessels and tissue inflammation.
- Sitz baths. During this treatment, you soak your hips and buttocks in water, while the rest of your body stays dry. Depending on the health condition, water can be either warm or cool. Sitz baths can provide effective pain relief from menstrual or uterine cramping, hemorrhoids and pain from certain types of infections.
- Neutral baths. Here the water is at body temperature. Some people add Epsom salts or herbs to enhance the effects of neutral baths. These baths provide tension relief as well as pain relief to aching muscles.
- Whirlpool baths. The underwater massaging effect of whirlpool baths provides pain relief from joint and connective tissue injuries. While an effective pain management technique for some adults, whirlpool baths are not suitable for babies or young children.
- Cold compresses. Packs soaked in cold water reduce congestion and swelling and can provide pain relief to muscles and joints.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback helps some people manage tension and pain through a combination of relaxation and visualization techniques. Electrodes attached to the body enable people to learn how to influence their own blood pressure, muscle tension, heart rate, and temperature. This tension / pain relief therapy can cause skin irritation and is not suitable for pregnant women or people with pacemakers, blood clots in the arms and legs, or bacterial infections.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that stimulates the body’s natural healing systems. This pain relief therapy is widely used for treating chronic pain, back pain and neck pain. In this treatment, the flow of the body’s energy is freed by inserting sterile needles into specific points. This stimulates the release of opioid peptides, which provide pain relief. Acupuncture is safe and can provide significant pain relief when performed by a certified practitioner.
Chiropractic Therapy
Chiropractors adjust spinal bones and joints with twisting, pulling, or pushing movements. This pain relief therapy helps the body heal itself by correcting dislocation of the joints, particularly the bones of the spine (vertebrae). Chiropractic therapy can be effective in treating lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
Massage Therapy
Massage promotes relaxation while providing pain relief. It improves blood flow, relieves muscle tension and pressure on nerves, and restores normal joint movement. There are many different types or "schools" of massage, and most of them can provide some degree of pain relief.
Rolfing and Feldenkrais
Rolfing involves manipulation of the deep connective tissues, while Feldenkrais is a body-learning system that aligns your body and reduces strain on joints. Many pain management clinics employ therapists certified in these pain relief treatments.
Hypnosis
In recent years, hypnosis has gained popularity as a pain management technique, especially for chronic pain. Hypnosis reduces stress by increasing relaxation, promoting positive thoughts and eliminating negative ones. This pain management technique has been proven effective in treating pain associated with cancer, childbirth, surgery, and paralysis.
Basic Stress Reduction
While stress reduction may not provide complete pain relief, it can reduce physical discomfort and greatly influence one’s health. Studies have shown that increased stress levels reduce the pain threshold and increase the perception of pain. Hence, many pain management clinics place an emphasis on reducing mental stress.
Meditation, progressive relaxation, guided imagery, and biofeedback are popular stress busters. Physical therapies such as yoga and Pilates can not only improve fitness and flexibility, but also decrease stress.
Consider All the Options
The drug-free pain relief techniques discussed here are among the most common, but there are many others. Before choosing a pain relief or pain management regimen, talk to your doctor to make sure it is suitable for you. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication in combination with one or more non-drug pain relief measures.
To learn more about pain relief, pain management, and other treatment options, visit the online knowledge base at eDrugstore.md.
