Three complementary therapies to relieve pain
31 Oct 2024 by Ted Escobedo 2 min read
For many, these three therapies have been successful in keeping chronic pain at bay.
• Acupuncture: Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that advocates believe can help reduce pain. Recent research supports these beliefs. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that acupuncture can help with certain types of pain, including low back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis or knee pain. It may also reduce how frequently people get tension headaches and could help prevent migraine headaches.
• Yoga: Yoga is a physical meditation practice that may offer a way to manage pain naturally.
Yoga incorporates breathing exercises, self-care, and relaxation methods, so practicing yoga may also relieve pain related to stress or anxiety. The NCCIH states that yoga may help relieve lower back pain and neck pain, but that there is not enough evidence that it can help for other conditions, such as headache, arthritis, or fibromyalgia.
• Mindfulness meditation: People experiencing chronic pain are increasingly turning to mindfulness meditation as a natural treatment. More research is needed, but initial studies are promising. A 2017 review looked at 38 studies and concluded that mindfulness meditation can improve pain symptoms, depression, and quality of life. However, the authors say that larger studies are needed to see exactly how effective it is.
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- Complementary Therapies