Alternative Pain Management Options

By Author: Steven Johnson
Total Articles: 494
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In our days everything that concerns health has a pill that may be taken for improving the condition. While medications are certainly more beneficial and less harmful as surgeries or other invasive healthcare procedure they too may affect the body in a negative way, especially if taken for a long period of time. This especially concerns such powerful drug type as painkillers, which are very potent substances that affect the central nervous system. Long term use of powerful analgesics can have a negative impact on a person's health. Fortunately there are safer alternatives to painkillers that may be used for effective pain managements in different situations, the most common of which include:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has become one of the most popular alternative healthcare practices in the US in the recent years partially due to its exotic nature, and partially due to its actual effectiveness. It is an ancient traditional Chinese practice that is based on certain aspects of Taoism and is believed to regulate the flow of vital energy in the body. By applying very thin needles to different zones on the surface of ...
... the skin acupuncture is believed to affect different internal zones that are supposed to be linked to the surface zones. No matter whether you believe it or not, acupuncture has be confirmed to be rather effective for treating various health conditions including pain management. It is especially effective in chronic pain conditions, which may require several sessions for suitable effects

Herbal painkillers

Herbal painkillers have been around for centuries going through a steady evolution of increasing effectiveness. Nowadays there are numerous herbal painkillers available in almost every pharmacy without the need of prescription, which may be effective for various conditions. Herbal analgesics are usually more effective for chronic pain conditions as they require certain time to pass in order to get accumulated in the body in sufficient doses. However, it's best to consult with your doctor first if you want to choose a herbal alternative to drugs like Ultram.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is often overlooked by people who are used to relying on prescription drugs like Ultram. Yet this form of pain management can be extremely effective in cases of chronic pain especially the one resulting from trauma or different muscular-skeletal conditions. It involves physical manipulation of the affected region that has the aim of promoting rapid and correct recovery of the damaged tissue. It is very important, however, that the specialist you address to be a skilled and licensed professional that has the necessary experience for this activity. Otherwise you risk having your condition worsened if using the services of an inexperienced therapist.

Electric/magnetic therapy

These two kinds of therapy involve different tools yet trigger the same processes in the body so they can be included into the same category. Whether using powerful magnets to create a strong magnetic field around the affected area, or weak electric currents, both these therapies stimulate blood circulation and endorphin production, which promotes natural pain management by using the body's own reserves. Electric/magnetic therapy is mainly used for relieving chronic pain but can also be effective for acute pain resulted from trauma. Sure it won't be as effective as painkillers like Ultram but it will give you a safer alternative for dealing with pain.