Top alternative treatments for chronic pain

If you suffer from chronic pain, see below for our top pick of alternative treatments.

Chronic pain is pain that persists for longer than six months. The level of pain differs from patient to patient, with some only experiencing inconvenient episodes of mild pain and others experiencing completely incapacitating constant pain.

Often, the source of chronic pain is difficult to pinpoint and measure, and it not something a doctor can instantly fix with a short prescription.

In many cases it takes a considerable length of time to diagnose, after which painkillers are prescribed. Of course whilst painkillers lessen the pain, sustained use can result in the development of other concerns, namely stomach ulcers and liver failure among other issues.

It is for this reason that those who suffer from chronic pain often seek out alternative therapy. These side-effect free treatments have shown promising results in many studies and are a great drug free alternative:

Problem: Lower-back pain

Therapy: Osteopathic Manual Treatment (OMT)

A bad back is one of the largest contributors to sick-days in the UK and an ailment that most of us are likely to experience at least once in our lives. If you experience persistent or chronic back pain and don’t wish to take medication for the discomfort, try osteopathic treatment.

This is a hands on therapy which involves the physician using techniques such as kneading and massaging soft tissue. According to a 2013 study entitled the Annals of Family Medicine, 63 per cent of patients experiencing chronic lower-back pain underwent six sessions over a week and saw a dramatic difference.

Problem: Knee osteoarthritis

Therapy: Acupuncture

This kind of joint pain is caused by cartilage (or lack of).

As the connective tissue begins to wear away, the bone-on-bone contact going on behind the scenes can trigger pain.

Acupuncture, an ancient needling technique traditionally used to treat pain, is thought to trigger nerves which send signals to the brain to release endorphins that will naturally lessen the pain.

Problem: Sciatica

Therapy: Physical therapy

Sciatica is pain that often begins in the lower back before making its way to the legs and feet. The type of pain can vary greatly, from a burning sensation in the impacted areas through to numbness and tingling.

Whilst sciatica patients will probably feel like they want to do anything but exercise when in the midst of an episode, inactivity could worsen symptoms. Physical therapy could help to prevent any further injury by refining posture and flexibility through the strengthening of muscles for support.

If you are seeking out complementary therapy for chronic pain, we would always advise you to consult your GP before doing so.

View and comment on the original article from the Huffington Post.