Pain occurs for a variety of reasons. Some pain is chronic and reoccurring and requires stronger forms of treatment, such as using narcotics. However, some chronic pain problems can be treated with more natural methods instead of having to depend on medications that can cause dependency and problems with functioning in daily life. These natural pain-relief methods include massage therapy, acupuncture and hypnosis.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is an excellent form of natural pain relief. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, when a massage therapist massages the soft tissue it sends electrical signals all over the body. These signals help to reduce pain levels. Massage therapy is especially useful in treating pain caused by tight muscles. Back and neck pain are just two types of deep muscle pain that massage therapy can help to relieve. Many people have to resort to treating these muscle pains with strong narcotics or muscle relaxants, but with the use of massage therapy this dependency on strong medications can be avoided. The types of massage that can be most helpful for tight muscles are shiatsu and Swedish massage. These types of massage use forceful strokes and pressure to relieve these tight muscles.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the use of tiny needles that are inserted into certain points in the body by twirling or jiggling them. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the only pain from this procedure is when the needle is inserted and a quick twinge of pain may occur. Once the needles are inserted, acupuncture can be a very strong pain-relief method. In fact, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, acupuncture is most effective in the treatment of acute pain, such as lower back pain. Acupuncture is even used in China for the main pain relief method for people undergoing major surgery like an appendectomy. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that both the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health have both rated acupuncture as very helpful in treating painful, chronic conditions such as headaches, osteoarthritis, tendinitis and fibromyalgia.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is another natural treatment that is used for pain relief. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, hypnosis is used to treat conditions such as: arthritis, cancer, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, tension headaches, various surgical procedures and labor pain. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, hypnosis involves a state of focused concentration. It can be done by the individual through guided imagery that can be taught to the person, or with the help of a licensed practitioner of hypnosis.
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