Complementary Therapies at Pain Management Centers

What’s the difference between complementary therapies or alternative therapies? These terms are being used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different healthcare approaches. If you’re suffering from pain, a pain management center may help by offering complementary therapies in addition to the conventional treatments. Your doctor will take into account all of your goals and needs when developing a treatment plan to manage your chronic pain.

Conventional medicine is the treatment your doctor provides. Identifying the source of the pain and treating it with drugs, physical therapy, neurological approaches, and surgery would be examples of mainstream medicine. Your insurance generally only covers conventional medicine treatments.

Complementary therapy refers to using non-mainstream treatments in addition to conventional medicine. Activities such as acupuncture, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, and massage are integrated into your treatment plan with your doctor’s support. Even dietary changes and therapeutic touch could be complementary therapy. Your pain management center will have these treatment providers.

Alternative medicine refers to a non-mainstream type of treatment that is substituted for conventional medicine. Alternative medicine includes guided imagery, magnets, and herbal medicine.The line between complementary therapies and alternative medicine is blurred, but the difference is that you are not consulting with a medical doctor about alternative therapies or utilizing conventional medicine.

There is a great deal of evidence that many non-mainstream treatments are effective in treating chronic pain. While they may not completely relieve the pain, reducing the stress and tension in your body helps you cope with the effects to your mind. More doctors see the validity of using non-conventional treatments, but they do want to know that you will be helped. Any treatment you try should not make your condition worse.

Alternative medicine and complementary therapies may have risks, depending on your condition. It’s important to seek the advice of your doctor at your pain management center before implementing new therapy into your plan. You need to consider your treatment goals, your age, and any variety of physical, financial, and emotional circumstances. Your treatment is individualized to suit your needs.

By Dr. James  Lin
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