Venting the Pain

A recent article in U.S. News & World Report (January 21, 2008) entitled “Alternative Medicine Goes Mainstream” outlines a number of therapies that used to be outside the realm of medical treatment but are now being recognized and used as adjunct treatments at major medical centers. These techniques have been termed “alternative medicine,” suggesting an either-or approach to treatment. More recently, however, the therapies that have been seen as an alternative to conventional, evidence based medicine are being incorporated into a “whole person” approach to treatment. “Alternative” medicine is now being seen as “complementary” and “integrative” medicine.

If you have persistent, serious pain, you have probably tried a few of these treatments. More and more pain management physicians are recommending acupuncture, yoga, meditation, biofeedback, and hypnosis to their patients. Many of these techniques and treatments are being subjected to serious scientific scrutiny, with studies being carried out to define their specific benefits and risks. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCAM) is a good source of information about the results of these studies and the general effectiveness of these alternative therapies.

The following list is by no means all-inclusive, but it provides some idea of the range of complementary treatment available:

• acupuncture
• acupressure
• affirmations
• applied kinesiology
• aromatherapy
• ayurveda
• body work
• breathing techniques
• chiropractic medicine
• craniosacral therapy
• energy therapies
• flower essence therapy
• homeopathy
• hypnosis
• journaling
• light therapy
• magnetic healing
• massage therapy
• meditation
• naturopathy
• qigong
• reflexology
• reiki
• traditional Chinese medicine
• therapeutic touch
• visualization
• yoga

Some of these treatments require a trained practitioner while some are techniques that a person learns and then practices on his or her own. The difference between these approaches and traditional Western medicine is the focus on the mind-body connection. All of these techniques involve the patient as participant in a way that can activate inner reserves of healing and strength. The helplessness that often accompanies a chronic pain condition can be alleviated by including approaches that give the patient an active role in his or her own treatment.