Millions of people suffer from back pain, but very few are fully aware of all the alternative treatments available to them. Before you give up hope that you’ll ever find relief from your back pain, make sure you explore the variety of conservative, non-operative treatments available. These could include anything from holistic treatments to walking, swimming, over-the-counter analgesics, or hot-cold compresses. The important thing to remember is to consult a medical professional before attempting any treatment or regimen of diet or exercise, and always stop any activities that make your back pain worse.
Holistic Options
Holistic medicine does not adhere to the standards or practices of conventional modern medicine. Instead, it focuses on the overall health of the body by obtaining emotional, physical, and spiritual balance. Forms of holistic medicine include:
- Yoga – an ancient practice of breathing and stretching that focuses on relaxation, flexibility, and strength-building.
- Acupuncture and acupressure – the insertion of thin needles or manual pressure to various points along the skin. Ideally, the neural response to the needles or manual pressure redirects the pain signals being sent from your back, thus reducing discomfort.
- Massage – also called body work, massage focuses on manipulating muscles and connective tissue to increase circulation, reduce stress, and promote healing.
Additional Treatment Options
Alternative holistic treatments will not work for every individual who suffers from back pain. If you have exhausted your conservative treatment options, your doctor may suggest that you see a pain management specialist who can introduce you to prescription medication, ultrasound therapy, TENS, epidural steroid injections, or pain patches. There are also outpatient spine procedures available that are safe and effective treatments for back and neck pain. Laser Spine Institute specializes in these minimally invasive alternatives and we urge you to contact us today for more information. Our endoscopic procedures have helped tens of thousands of people rediscover their lives without back or neck pain.
