In Part 3 of our blog series, we looked at targeted procedures that can help with chronic pain relief. This week, we’re looking at alternative approaches that may help patients with their continuing discomfort.
While medication, physical therapy and targeted procedures can help improve pain in many patients, other patients find relief using alternative approaches in addition to, or in place of, conventional therapies.
Here are some alternative methods of treatment that may work as part of your care plan at our pain and wellness clinic to provide chronic pain relief.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a practice that involves using thin needles inserted into specific areas of the body to stimulate blocked energy and reduce pain. Generally used in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been shown to help effectively relieve pain, especially back pain and headaches. However, acupuncture may also help improve arthritis pain as well as fibromyalgia pain.
Counseling
Chronic pain has a close relationship with anxiety and depression. Not only can pain make you more susceptible to anxiety and depression, but depression and anxiety can also make existing pain worse.
When experiencing negative emotions, your body doesn’t have the serotonin it needs to help cushion your response to pain, which can make discomfort feel even more debilitating. It can also affect other areas of your life, such as your sleep, work and general health and well-being.
This is where counseling may help. Counseling may be able to help you effectively manage your depression and anxiety which, in turn, can help you better cope with your pain. Counseling may also help you feel more empowered and in control of your life, which may support you in following through with your chronic pain treatments for an overall improved quality of life.
Stress Management
While stress certainly serves to help us in some situations, experiencing chronic stress can exacerbate pain. Learning to manage your stress can help improve your discomfort, especially in the long term. This could mean learning to say no to things you don’t enjoy, taking on less at work or scheduling relaxing time so you can unwind and destress.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a technique in which you learn to identify tension in the body and control it, which can help you manage stress and reduce anxiety. It can also help bring more awareness into your relaxation practices, such as becoming aware of your breathing and heart rate to identify times when you may need to step back and relax to reduce stress and pain. Biofeedback can be an important practice to help you better cope with your pain over time.
Contact Our Pain & Wellness Clinic to Schedule an Appointment Today
Are you searching for a “pain clinic near me”? Contact Summit Spine & Joint Centers to schedule a virtual or in-person consultation today. We provide minimally invasive, nonsurgical approaches to help you manage your pain. Call us at (770) 962-3642 or contact us online!