Many have struggled with chronic pain which usually causes disruptions in everyday routines and makes life less enjoyable.
More and more people are resorting to alternative therapies when they are feeling unwell and need support.
This article discusses a few of these therapies to explain their main elements, what they offer and how they could help people with chronic pain.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture which began in China, involves putting small needles into the body at certain areas.
The practice follows the belief that energy or qi (pronounced “chee”), travels through pathways referred to as meridians in the body.
Pain and illness may occur if these pathways are blocked. By working on some parts of the meridians, acupuncture attempts to balance the body and aid healing.
Recently, people have paid more attention to acupuncture’s ability to help with chronic pain, despite its long history of treating a wide variety of health concerns.
Studies have found that acupuncture may decrease pain, think fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and chronic lower back pain and enhance patients’ daily lives.
Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin which naturally help to reduce pain.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractors provide gentle care that helps diagnose and treat conditions of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems using mainly spinal manipulation.
The main idea of this therapy is that when the spine is misaligned, it can bother nerves and lead to pain and related health difficulties.
Fixing these misalignments is their way of helping the nervous system run well again and reducing pain.
There is not much research on chiropractic for chronic pain conditions in general, but it has yielded promising outcomes for neck pain, headaches and back pain.
Studies suggest that chiropractic care improves pain and function in these body areas which some view as a natural treatment option for long-lasting pain.
Massage Therapy
Many local Mosman physiotherapists use massage therapy which applies pressure to the body’s soft tissues to help people relax, reduce tension and ease pain.
Several ancient cultures like Chinese, Egyptian, Greek and Roman developed acupuncture over many years.
Numberous studies suggest that massage therapy might help lower pain and enhance physical abilities in individuals living with conditions such as low back pain, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.
Massaging soft tissues is thought to open up blood vessels and release endorphins and serotonin which enhances the feeling of relaxation.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation helps you become aware of what you are experiencing this moment without judging any part of your experience.
Although mindfulness began with Buddhist traditions, it has lately become a standard method for dealing with stress, anxiety and constant pain.
Science has shown that practicing mindfulness meditation can help ease pain and make life better for people dealing with fibromyalgia, migraines and low back pain.
People are guided to use mindfulness to manage their pain better and minimize its effects on their lives.
Yoga
Yoga which has roots in India, combines different poses (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation for the betterment of body, mind and spirit.
Although yoga has been around for many years, its help for chronic pain is now being understood better by people.
It seems that for problems like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and low back pain, doing yoga can reduce the amount of discomfort and restore normal function.
Experts say that doing yoga, with its movements, controlled breathing and mindfulness, often calms the body and eases pain.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy involves natural plant extracts, known as essential oils and helps treat health problems and support well-being.
The art of using scent for healing, going back to ancient times, stems from the thought that scent impacts the brain and thus the body, mind and emotions.
Aromatherapy can be applied by breathing in the aromas, using lotions, oils or salves or with the help of massage.
Inhaling the aroma from essential oils activates the smell receptors in the nose which through the nervous system connections, touches the part of the brain involved in our feelings and memory.
