Chronic Pain: Your Options for Healing Without Invasive Surgery

Most of us will experience the distress caused by chronic pain at some point in our lives. Due to illness, injury, or age, chronic pain can linger on for months or even years and severely affect your quality of life.

There are a variety of different methods to treat the chronic pain you or a loved one may be suffering. Some may involve medication, or possibly even surgery to correct the problem. However, there are also a number of options available that do not involve medication or invasive surgery techniques. Here are a few ideas to consider.

 

PRP Treatments

One of the exciting new methods of healing chronic pain that has become popular in recent years is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment. PRP treatments work by using components of blood plasma to induce healing.

Blood is taken from the individual who requires the treatment, and is then analyzed and separated into its component parts (plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets). The platelets have an important function of clotting blood and contain proteins called growth factors, which are essential in the healing process of injuries. Nexus pain specialists from Utah say the concentration of these platelets is increased, before being combined once again with the remaining blood. The blood is then re-injected into the affected area to stimulate healing. This treatment has become particularly popular amongst athletes to effectively recover from chronic pain caused by sprains and tendon injuries.

 

Manual Techniques

A well-proven method of healing chronic pain without surgery is to use manual stimulation techniques, such as massage to promote healing. A chiropractor or osteopathic doctor can manipulate joints and apply pressure to muscles, tendons and ligaments. This improves blood flow and reduces muscle stiffness, allowing chronic pain to be treated effectively in many cases. It’s great for reducing swollen joints and if done regularly can be a good treatment for those who want to skip time spent recovering from surgery.

 

Electrotherapy

This method can be useful to suffers of chronic joint pain and has proved to be particularly effective when treating back pain. The most commonly used type of electrotherapy is known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This therapy works by stimulating muscles in areas that are causing pain by sending a low-voltage electric signal into the tissue. You should ask your doctor if this kind of treatment could work for you.

Electrotherapy has the effect of changing the way the nervous system interprets pain signals and can temporarily relieve chronic back pain, making it effective for many people. Portable TENS machines can also be purchased for use within the home.

 

The type of treatment you choose will depend largely on the type of pain you are experiencing and where you get it most. Thankfully, with the amazing range of treatments now available for the management of chronic pain, you should be able to find something that works for you without the need for invasive surgery or dependence on medications. Talk with your physician and see if they can suggest any other treatments that may be helpful for your situation.

 

Categories: chronic pain, electrotherapy, health, Pain, prp treatment, Therapies, Treatments, Wellness

CAM Caution: Could Alternative Therapies Put You at Risk?

Complementary wellness has seen a surge in popularity over recent years, but how do you know if it’s right for you? Before you put your wellbeing in the hands of alternative therapies, it’s important to be aware of your underlying conditions and potential interactions with your prescription medication, as this could have a disastrous impact on your wellness. More often than not, herbal supplements or natural therapies won’t cause any damage, but it’s better to be safe than sorry and know what you’re getting into.

 

As one of the most popular supplements used to combat colds and flu, you may think that echinacea is pretty safe to use. However, this herbal remedy has been known to cause allergies. In fact, if you have a condition such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis or asthma, doctors recommend that you steer clear of echinacea. If not taken correctly, even a herbal multivitamin can cause nerve toxicity, so make sure you read the label carefully before you try any complementary wellness product, and consult a physician if you’re unsure. This is especially the case if you suffer from depression, stroke, heart disease or cancer, as a recent survey of cancer patients at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital has shown that more than half of the study participants using a mixture of complementary and alternative therapies. This is a cause for concern because – according to the hospital’s safe medicines specialist – these medicines can interfere with anti-cancer medications.

 

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is more popular than ever before, thanks in no small part to a number of credible studies proving their benefits. From vitamin D for osteoporosis and glucosamine for osteoarthritis, to St John’s wort for depression and folic acid for birth defects, CAM has been shown to prevent or treat various medical conditions. In the US, omega-3 fatty acids not only reduced the country’s occurrence of coronary heart disease; it saved the hospital system almost a billion dollars in a year. The Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia also points out that CAM is also relatively harm-free. They note a 2002 survey in which it was found that 23% of Australians who were recently ill had suffered from a medical or pharmaceutical drug error in the past two years, while there were just 483 adverse reports regarding CAM in 2002.

 

That said, Dr Vicki Kotsirilos, chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ Australasian Integrative Medicine Association joint working party, warns that this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise some caution. ‘The good news is that overall complementary medicine is relatively safe,’ she comments. ‘However we also know there is significant under-reporting [of adverse reactions]. We know that half of all patients who are taking complementary medicines don’t tell their GPs because they fear they’ll be dismissed or jumped on. This is a real concern because of the risk of interactions with pharmaceutical medicine and because if they’ve had side effects [from the complementary medicine], and their doctor is wondering why they’re unwell, that’s a problem.’

 

Moreover, not all CAM has sound scientific evidence behind it. Dr Kotsirilos says, ‘Some areas of complementary medicine have been proven to be helpful for cancer patients, for instance, such as music therapy, meditation, acupuncture and gentle reflexology. These therapies can improve quality of life and work alongside an orthodox approach. But if you Google “cancer therapy” you will come across hundreds of therapies, from shark cartilage to ozone therapy, which carry little evidence and are negative and risky, not just in terms of the side effects, but also [in terms of] the financial cost and the time wasted in not getting proper treatment.’

Categories: alternative therapies, cancer, cancer patients, complementary, complementary medicine, complementary wellness, heart disease, Medications, medicine, Risks, Therapies

Workplace Wellness With Complementary Remedies

According to the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), there is a continual rise in the number of Americans using complementary therapies. But what does that include exactly? And how can they be incorporated into your workplace for better health overall? If you’ve ever taken a dietary supplement then you’ve used CAM, as well as the use of herbal medicines such as echinacea or fish oils to protect your heart health. CAM also induces the mind and body practice that focus on the interaction of your feelings, and how they affect your overall health. Meditation and yoga are two such practices, which promote wellness and good health. Both of these modalities promote good posture and breathing techniques, as well as being a great way of maintaining good stress levels. Acupuncture follows the same pattern when it comes to the benefits, and although it is used less frequently than some other therapies, studies show that there are tremendous benefits for a number of illnesses and imbalances within the body.

CAM also included manipulative and body-based practices, such as spinal manipulation (chiropractic) and massage. If you’ve taken a Pilates class at your local gym you will have experienced this kind of therapy, which is used to promote physical, emotional, spiritual and mental wellbeing. In older people, Tai Chi is a great option – it can improve your posture and balance which is ideal for preventing injury with falls. But how can this all help in the workplace? The above suggestions are by no means exhaustive when it comes to CAM therapies, but chair massage is something that more and more companies are looking to add to their companies. While it may seem like just an office perk, it can actually boost morale and productivity as well. Massage therapy has been used in a number of cultures for centuries, and involves pressing, rubbing and manipulating the muscles and soft tissues of the body. Naturally, this isn’t the easiest thing to initiate in the office, but massage chairs take out the awkwardness and improve the condition of peoples’ posture. Massage has been shown to offer a number of benefits, from injury reduction to lowering stress. Many local corporate massage therapists are also willing to visit workplaces and do massage sessions with the employees. It’s boosts the morale of the staff and increases the productivity, highlighting the importance of complementary therapies.

Workplace wellness schemes are cropping up in companies more and more now, and with alternative therapies increasing in popularity it’s no surprise that employers are looking to find alternative options to help increase good health among staff. Not only does it help keep staff happy and suffering less from stress in the workplace, but it also saves companies money. If the staff are suffering less from stress-related illnesses and injuries from bad posture, they will be less likely to take time off work – employers are therefore saving money in absences. Supplements can also help to promote good health, such as taking vitamin C regularly to promote a strong immune system and omega-3 oils to keep your joints healthy. If you’re prone to back injuries and pain, or suffer from high stress levels that are exacerbated through your job, you should speak to your GP who can offer advice on remedies and therapies that can help you resolve your condition. It’s advised that you don’t take any supplements or begin new therapies without checking that it is safe with your GP first.

Categories: complementary therapies, complementary therapy, health, massage, promote, Stress, Stress Levels, Therapies, Workplace Wellness

Which Complementary Therapies are OK for Kids?

Recent studies have shown that more and more parents are turning to complementary wellness methods instead of medical treatments for their kids. Some do it to guard their children’s wellbeing against the side effects of medications, while others have lost faith in their doctors. Whatever your reason for choosing alternative therapies for your children, you should bear in mind that although some seem safe and effective for kids, others are inappropriate or downright dangerous.

According to Dolores Mendelow, MD, clinical assistant professor of paediatrics and communicable diseases at the University of Michigan Medical School. ‘There is a huge place for complementary and alternative medicine in paediatrics. In terms of complementary medicine, we’re using acupuncture, dietary supplementation, and herbal or botanical therapies. Parents can ask doctors if certain alternative therapies will hurt a child. It’s a good opportunity to open up a dialogue about this with your physician. And doctors need to learn more about them.’ It’s important to ask the right questions because all children are different, and so what affects your child may not affect another. That said, there are certain therapies that, generally, get the green light:

1. Honey for a cold: Dr Mendelow asserts, ‘Over-the-counter medicines like Sudafed aren’t helpful for the common cold, but honey and buckwheat are. However, if your child is younger than 12 months old, you should never give them honey. Another effective treatment for colds is eating elderberry fruit, or taking extracts of it, but if your child is on chemotherapy this should be avoided.

2. Acupuncture for migraine: When it comes to treating migraines, acupuncture has a good track record. This alternative therapy also has known benefits in easing nausea symptoms associated with chemotherapy treatments. If you’re considering acupuncture for your child, make sure you look for a practitioner who has lots of experience treating kids.

3. Cranberry for frequent urinary tract infections: Your child may be more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) if he or she has a habit of holding their urine. If your child’s doctor has ruled out an underlying kidney problem, cranberry juice or extracts can be a natural way to prevent the irritating infections.

4. Probiotics for diarrhoea: If taking antibiotics is causing your child to experience diarrhoea, probiotics can be especially helpful. You’ll find these beneficial bacteria in drinks, in foods like yogurt, and in supplement form.

5. Yoga and tai chi for stress relief and anxiety: There is a real connection between the mind and the body which, when tapped into, can do wonderful things for your child’s health. Asthma is a common condition amongst children and, if your child is afflicted by it, he or she may benefit from taking a yoga class. Alongside prescribed medicines, yoga can help asthmatic patients breathe better and remain calm during an attack, in addition to providing general stress reduction. Moreover, research shows tai chi helps reduce the risk of depression and anxiety in teens.

So those are the green-light treatments, but from which therapies does Dr. Mendelow advise parents to stay away?

1. High-velocity chiropractic treatments: In general, chiropractors are great as general practitioners, they do a lot of nutrition counselling, food avoidance, and gentle manipulation,’ Dr. Mendelow notes, but she also believes that forceful “crack the neck” kinds of therapy are inappropriate for kids.

2. Creatine: Bodybuilders often swear by this high-protein supplement but it can harm the kidneys. Therefore, if you have a teenager who has started to lift weights, make sure they avoid creatine.

3. Ma huang: You might turn to this Chinese medicine to control your child’s asthma or boost their athletic performance, but it can lead to heart palpitations and cardiac problems and is considered extremely dangerous for kids.

Categories: acupuncture, alternative therapies, Child, Child Wellness, dr mendelow, green light, Kids, Tai Chi, Therapies, tract infections, urinary tract, yoga

Do Alternative Therapies Work When You Have Cancer?

When you are suffering from cancer, many people will advise you to take this supplement or that supplement, to try various different therapies and cite all kinds of complementary methods that they swear have been known to cure cancer. But do any of these therapies actually cure cancer and restore your wellness? Dr Paul Offit, Chief of Infectious Diseases based at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia thinks not. He has recently published a book called ‘Do You Believe in Magic? The Sense and Nonsense of Alternative Medicine’.

 

The renowned paediatrician is a leading expert in the infectious diseases and vaccines field, and has previously written a book decrying the idea that vaccinations are in some way linked to autism or that they can cause infections.

 

His latest book is bound to annoy those who either practice or believe in the multi-billion dollar empire that is alternative medicine to improve their wellbeing. In the book, the doctor looks at many different types of complementary therapies including acupuncture, vitamins, cancer cures and chelation therapy. The doctor points out that as a medic he stands firmly on the side of proved, trialed and tested forms of medicine and that whilst he is not saying that techniques such as massage and meditation don’t help, he is saying that they have simply not been proved so far.

 

The doctor does, however, point out that putting your faith in alternative therapies may even be dangerous in some cases, especially if people put full faith in the alternative therapy rather than treating with traditional medicine and complementary medicine simultaneously. He cites the case of a 10 year old suffering from Hodgkin’s, whose parents decided to treat him with a drug made from apricot stones, even though studies have repeatedly shown that apricot pits are not an effective way of treating cancer. Unfortunately, the boy died.

 

As the doctor points out: ‘Do you know what they call alternative medicine that has been proven to work? Medicine.’

Categories: Alternative, alternative medicine, alternative therapies, cancer, complementary, cure cancer, doctor points, infectious diseases, medicine, Therapies

Why are GPs Increasingly Using Complementary Therapies?

Studies show that around half of the GPs in the UK are now providing access to different forms of therapy to their patients outside of the conventional routes of medicine and it seems that complementary therapies have soared in popularity in the past 10 years. The terms ‘alternative’ and ‘complementary’ medicine have long been associated with different forms of treatment, but the two offer varying methods – complementary treatments are used alongside conventional medicines, whereas alternative therapies refer to such treatments as Chinese medicine, and these replace conventional medicine.

GPs are now opting to include complementary therapies as part of their treatment for a variety of ailments. It seems that as many as one in three patients request these types of therapies when speaking to their GP. When used properly, these therapies can heighten the effectiveness of traditional methods – these include hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, acupuncture and osteotherapy. Many people don’t realise that there is a difference though, or the effect these methods can have.

GPs claim that there has been a high demand for therapies such as osteotherapy, chiropractors and acupuncture, but now nutritional therapies are also increasing in popularity. More GPs are also training in some of these therapies so that they can be offered within the surgery – for breast cancer patients, for example, nutrition, aromatherapy and shiatsu therapies are popular forms of treatment when used alongside more conventional medicines. Studies show that integrative medicines do bring a more positive effect to those using them, with the Haven Breast Cancer charity claiming that as many as 89 percent of patients said they felt better after receiving complementary therapies alongside their regular treatment. And because of the efficiency they offer, GPs are increasingly recommending them more and more.

The NHS and medical centres may begin offering more varied complementary therapies to patients. The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, which is the leading centre for complementary medicine in the NHS, offers treatments which include acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy, massage, clinical hypnotherapy and osteotherapy to help deal with the symptoms of a host of ailments and diseases. Your GP will only be able to recommend certain therapies depending on the area you live in though. Speak to your GP for advice on the therapies you’re able to receive, depending on your postcode and budget.

The five integrated therapies which are most popular amongst GPs include osteopathy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, hypnotherapy and art therapy. Osteopathy is ideal for back pain and can be use to detect, treat and prevent health problems. Chiropractic care is also used for back problems and can help alleviate issues with the spine and joints. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, particularly in Chinese medicine, and uses fine needles which are inserted into pressure points in the body to help treat a variety of health concerns, from migraines to assisting with childbirth. Hypnotherapy involves putting patients into a trance-like state which can improve their well-being and control various symptoms. It is often associated with phobias, anxiety, fear, panic attacks and sleep problems. Finally, art therapy can help patients with mental health problems, as creating paintings and music can help people deal with their inner conflict and emotional turmoil.

 

Your GP will be able to advise you of the best treatments for your condition as there are many more besides these which could help you. Depending on what your budget and location is, as well as your symptoms, your GP can offer a selection of possible therapies which could help to work with your medicine for quicker or more effective treatments.

Categories: art therapy, breast cancer, Chinese medicine, chiropractic care, complementary medicine, complementary therapies, conventional medicines, GP, health problems, Therapies, Treatments

complementarytherapy of Arthritis

Some people find complementary therapies can help ease the pain and discomfort of arthritis.

There are also complementary therapies that reportedly improve flexibility and mobility.

Most evidence regarding the benefits of complementary therapies for treating the symptoms of arthritis is anecdotal and has not been clinically proven to be effective.

However, if you are in pain and arthritis is having a detrimental effect on your life, trying complementary therapies is a positive way of taking control of your symptoms, and it may help you to manage your pain.

Your GP or consultant will be able to advise about different treatment options, including some complementary therapies.

Arthritis Care provides further information about complementary therapy for arthritis. Arthritis Research UK also produce a leaflet called Complementary and alternative medicine for arthritis (PDF).

Safety

The following checklist will help ensure that your treatment is safe and reliable.

• Ask how long the treatment is likely to last and how much it will cost.


• Find out if there is a governing body for the treatment you plan to receive and whether your chosen therapist is a member.


• Make sure your therapist has insurance cover.


• Ask about their training, how long they have practised and whether they have any particular areas of expertise.


• Tell them about any medication that you are taking.


• Do not stop taking any medication until you have discussed it with your GP or consultant.


• If you don’t trust a therapist, don’t use them.

Acupuncture

There is no clinical proof that acupuncture can help treat symptoms of arthritis or prevent the condition from progressing further.

However, some people have reported acupuncture has helped them manage the pain of arthritis. Speak to your GP if you are interested in trying acupuncture.

You can also use the post code search to find local complementary therapy services.

Categories: Arthritis, complementary, complementary therapies, complementary therapy, Pain, Therapies, treatment