Treatments For PAIN

Are you in pain but avoid going to the doctor because you hate hospitals? There are many of us who’d rather like to suffer from pain than visiting a doctor. We either hate the smell and feel of hospitals, or don’t like the idea of popping pills. So why not consider alternative treatments for pain management?
Pain is one of the most common causes for seeing a doctor worldwide. It is the major symptom in many physical ailments and may adversely affect the functioning capacity of an individual and deteriorate the quality of life. Pain may spring from a broken bone, dislocated or worn-out joint, bruised muscle, strained or sprained ligament, impinged nerve or irritation of nerve roots.
What is alternative pain treatment?
Pharmaceutical medications may not be the only means of pain relief available to you. Nowadays, alternative treatments for pain management are becoming increasingly popular. The term alternative treatment refers to a therapeutic intervention or medical treatment that does not enjoy adequate scientific documentation or approval as a safe and effective means to treat a specific medical condition.
But nowadays, a marked craze for various alternative treatments is noticeable among the masses. People have realized that pharmaceutical drugs are not free from side-effects. So they think that the alternative treatment forms are a better option to rely upon. Our focus of discussion now will be on the various alternative treatments for pain management. Each type differs from one another in terms of principles and methodology.
Are they safe?
Yes, these methods are almost always safe. And in fact these are safer than most of your allopathic medications and treatments because they aren’t accompanied by side effects.
Alternative pain treatments like acupressure and acupuncture are safe, and so are mind-body therapies. Most treatments that will use medication will also be herbal-based.
7 Top pain relief alternative therapies
The various alternative treatments or therapies for pain management are discussed below:
1. Mind-body therapies                                                                                                                                                                                                                            These therapies encompass various modes of treatment directed to enhance the mind’s ability to control bodily functions and symptoms of the diseased body. Hypnosis, meditation, bio-feedback, guided imagery and relaxation techniques are some approaches that fall under the label of the mind-body therapies. These approaches claim that they can alleviate chronic pain-related discomfort.
2. Acupuncture and acupressure
Acupuncture is a mode of treatment that originated in China in the 16th century. It involves the use of very fine needles that are poked into the patient’s body. This method of treatment fosters the balance of energy in the body. The needles are poked in certain points of the body and this stimulates the vital energy meridians of the body. The World Health Organization certifies acupuncture as an effective pain relief method. Acupressure‘ is based on the same theory as acupuncture. But here, instead of needles, pressure is applied at the distinct points of the body.
3. Chiropractic treatment and massage
Chiropractic treatments claim to alleviate pain in patients suffering from back and neck pain. But their effectiveness as a pain management mode is still very much under research. Massage, if done perfectly, can relieve pain. It takes off pain by boosting blood circulation and eliminating tension and stiffness from the affected region of the body. Massaging can also stop the production of certain pain-generating chemicals in the body. Massaging like chiropractic treatments can lessen back pain and neck pain.
4. Therapeutic touch and Reiki
These methods claim to energize the self-healing processes within the patient’s body. These methods do not require any physical proximity between the patient and practitioner. It is a flow of positive energy that can travel through any medium and brush aside pain or any other bodily disorder. The efficacy of these modes of treatments is yet to be proved.
5. Herbal remedies
There are many pain relief herbs like capsaicin, turmeric, fever few, devil’s claw, kava kava, ginseng and ginger. But before using these herbs, one needs to consult a doctor because sometimes some herbs may react with other medications and produce undesirable side-effects.
6. Nutritional supplements
Certain nutritional supplements can alleviate pain and there is a definite evidence of this in the various scientific studies. Fish oil supplements, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate are some among the many nutritional supplements that can manage pain.
7. Pain healing dietary approaches
It is believed that by curbing the intake of dietary fat and switching over to pure and raw plant food, one can get relief from pains and aches. This dietary change actually checks the inflammatory response in the body and thereby eases pain.
So now you know about the various alternative treatments for pain management. But remember that none of these measures are scientifically proven. If you don’t want to try anything that isn’t backed by science, allopath treatment is your only solution. It is, however, recommended to consult your doctor before opting for any of these.

Vancouver Acupuncture Treatments For PAIN

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Vancouver Acupuncture Treatments For PAIN

Qi Integrated Health clinic in Kitsilano Vancouver is known for utilizing acupuncture to treat both acute and chronic pain. The following is the treatment summary for one of our patients who experienced pain relief through her acupuncture treatments:

“Recently, a patient came into our clinic with “frozen shoulder” (inability to lift the shoulder past 15 degrees). The patient was experiencing a consistent high level of pain that made day-to-day activities very uncomfortable. After a comprehensive intake, a treatment protocol of acupuncture and e-stim combined with cupping was indicated. Upon completion of 3 treatments in a 10-day period the patient had regained full range of motion in their shoulder. The patient has not experienced any reoccurring symptoms since undergoing our HEAL process of treatment.”

Read more of our patients success stories here.

Using Acupuncture to Treat Pain – H.E.A.L. Process

We treat PAIN! You can be assured that when you receive your acupuncture treatments at Qi Integrated Health that you will receive the best treatment possible. All of our practitioners are highly qualified and are registered professionals in BC. Our acupuncturists are Registered Acupuncturists governed by the CTCMA. A portion of our treatments are covered by MSP and extended health plans if you are eligible.

Our Acupuncture healing process comprises 4 stages: H.E.A.L.

Help – The help stage is defined when the patient is unable to go more than 3 days without pain, despite undergoing any current treatment such as oral pain medication, massage, physiotherapy, etc.

Following intake, assessment and diagnosis, the typical treatment protocol is 3 acupuncture treatments over a period of 10 days. This allows us to determine how your acute or chronic pain symptoms respond to acupuncture treatment. The addition of treatment tools such as cupping, e-stim, or topical herbal medication may also be incorporated into the treatment.

Once the patient is able to go 3 or more days without pain we can move onto the next stage of the H.E.A.L. process.

Educate – The second stage of H.E.A.L. involves educating the patient to supplement their healing process with the reintroduction of exercise. We introduce proper exercise and stretching techniques that work with their therapeutic treatment to facilitate a more rapid recovery process. With stretching we target the muscle groups that have been guarding or bracing the site of injury/weakness and work to release those muscles. With exercise we look to create strength in order to support lasting changes.

During this stage the patient will visit the clinic once every 7-10 days. Treatment consists of acupuncture, and may also incorporate chiropractic care, massage therapy, and/or yoga therapy* in conjunction (on the same day or spaced apart depending on what the condition indicates). This stage may have many small setbacks on the road to change, but once the patient is able to exercise fully with a normal response (24 hours or less of pain) we can move onto the Action stage of the H.E.A.L. process.

*Yoga Therapy with Dr. Robin Armstrong is covered under chiropractic for extended medical benefits.

Action - By this stage the patient has the ability to be more physically active and will have regained full range of motion. The patient recognizes the difference between good vs. bad pain and has the knowledge/tools to deal with it. Good pain lessens over 24 hours; bad pain either doesn’t change or gets progressively worse. During this stage, follow up appointments are once every 3 weeks or so to maintain progression of strength and healthy balance in the body. Once the practitioner determines that balance is properly restored, we move onto the final stage of H.E.A.L. – LIVE.

Live – At this stage, the patient is able to resume a regular, pain-free life. Once balance within the body is established and remains consistent, “tune up” acupuncture treatments can be once every season. Because we are such creatures of habit, flare-ups can sometimes occur. If the pain does flare up, we start back at the beginning of the H.E.A.L. process. The patient will typically move through the process more quickly this time, as the path to balance has already been laid out and the body just needs a reminder in order to correct itself.

less painful allergy treatment changed life

Man said new, less painful allergy treatment changed life
“I don’t have to worry about being outdoors and worrying about what’s going to happen afterwards,” he said.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Joel Baker is a pastor at a local church.
When he realized his allergies were affecting his quality of life, he knew he needed to take action.
“I had to have boxes of tissues around all the time,” he said.
He started the standard treatment of allergy shots.
“I had to give it to myself in the thigh; it was a pain literally a pain,” he said.
Now Joel has found something that works even better and is far less painful.
He puts a drop under his tongue every day; it’s called sub-lingual immunotherapy.
Dr. Mark Lipe from the Allergy Artists of Oklahoma said, day by day, the drops build up your tolerance.
“We are exposing the patient to the allergens so they can build up their immune system,” he said.
Lipe said the treatment can be used for infants and small children because there is less risk of shock.
“It’s significantly safer than tradition shot therapy,” he said. “It’s a much more natural way to be exposed to these antigens. You’re exposed through mucus membranes and so it’s a much more natural way that you’re exposed.”
For Joel, it is pain-free and life-changing.

The pain neuropathy and

To use psychological therapy on a problem that is biochemical in nature (meaning nutritional) is absurd and wrong-minded. Success is extremely doubtful and certainly will not happen over the long run if it’s the placebo effect that makes it seem as though success is reachable.
Diabetic neuropathy with its pain is so debilitating. The pain leads to a more sedentary life style, a negative attitude that makes it more difficult to stick to diet. The weight gain and poor diabetic control worsen the neuropathy and the pain. The available medications provide some relief at the cost of side affects. This study which shows a way to improve life style and symptoms without medication and its attendant side affects is welcome. Will there be enough providers capable of providing the CBT for the vast number of patients suffering from diabetic neuropathy? The study data may also be applicable to people with type I diabetes as well as other patients who have pain. I look forward to extending this approach into these areas.


To use psychological therapy on a problem that is biochemical in nature (meaning nutritional) is absurd and wrong-minded. Success is extremely doubtful and certainly will not happen over the long run if it’s the placebo effect that makes it seem as though success is reachable.

Challenge thoughts to treat diabetic pain

Challenge thoughts to treat diabetic pain
This work was supported by a grant from the Veterans of Foreign Wars to the diabetes research program at VA BHS.
"This study demonstrates that the millions of people who are experiencing pain and discomfort from type II diabetes mellitus do not need to rely solely on medication for relief," says John D. Otis, associate professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. (Credit: iStockphoto)
BOSTON U. (US) — A type of psychological therapy that focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviors can help relieve pain for people with painful diabetic neuropathies, research shows.

No ‘study drugs’ for healthy kids, say doctors
Published in the Journal of Pain, a new study is the first to examine cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as treatment for people with type II diabetes mellitus, the most common form of the disease that affects more than 20 million people in the US.
The onset of type II diabetes mellitus is often gradual, occurring when a person is unable to make or use insulin efficiently. As a result, abnormally high levels of sugar accumulate in the blood, resulting in a condition called hyperglycemia.
Straight from the Source
Untreated hyperglycemia can develop into diabetic neuropathies, or nerve damage, which causes painful burning and stinging sensations in the hands and feet and permanent nerve damage. Although pain medications for this condition exist, they often have negative side effects such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Researchers assessed whether CBT, a psychological treatment approach aimed at changing maladaptive thoughts and illness-supporting behaviors, could be of benefit to veterans with painful diabetic neuropathies.
The study, which was conducted at the VA Boston Healthcare System, compared participants receiving CBT to those receiving treatment as usual. Participants were US veterans 18 and older who had been diagnosed with type II diabetes and experienced neuropathic pain for more than three months.
Participants attended 11, hour-long CBT sessions, which focused on teaching participants relaxation techniques and how to identify and challenge thoughts that contribute to pain. In addition, participants were taught how to keep active and plan enjoyable activities such as exercise, going for walks, or having dinner with friends.
At a four-month follow-up, participants who received CBT reported feeling less pain and reported that pain interfered less with their daily lives when compared to participants who received standard treatment.
“This study demonstrates that the millions of people who are experiencing pain and discomfort from type II diabetes mellitus do not need to rely solely on medication for relief,” says John D. Otis, associate professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine.
“More broadly, the results of this study add to a growing body of literature demonstrating that cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective psychological treatment approach for chronic pain management.”

‘Pretty tough’ O.J. Mayo plays through pain but will undergo treatment

‘Pretty tough’ O.J. Mayo plays through pain but will undergo treatment

O.J. Mayo was having a sterling night until he came down awkwardly late in the third quarter and came up favoring his right ankle.

Mayo limped to the bench, but returned early in the fourth quarter.

“It’s OK,” Mayo said. “But get to me tomorrow morning. That’s how those things go.”

Mayo said he will get treatment overnight and see how it feels Monday at practice in Milwaukee.”

“I think he’s sore, but he went back in and seemed to be OK,” Carlisle said. “He’s pretty tough. He hasn’t missed anything all year, so I was encouraged he was able to go back in the game. I’m sure it’ll be sore, but hopefully he’ll be OK for Tuesday.”

Also on the injury front, Shawn Marion missed his second consecutive game with a bruised left calf muscle. Marion said he was hoping to go through practice Monday in Milwaukee and try to play against the Bucks on Tuesday.

Marion suffered the injury in the first quarter of Wednesday’s win over Houston. He sat out at Detroit on Friday, as well as Sunday’s match with Minnesota.

“It’s sore to the touch,” Marion said. “I can feel it when I walk.”

Gout Treatment

What You Know About Gout Treatment



Once you’ve been diagnosed with gout by a doctor, it’s a good idea to start learning about gout treatment immediately. Since gout treatment includes both preventing future episodes, and treating them when they occur, sticking to your routine can help to prevent a lot of pain and medical expenses!

In this article, we’ll look at both aspects of gout treatment – starting with prevention, and then looking at how to treat an active episode.

Gout Treatment – Preventing Gout Attacks


A big part of gout treatment is about preventative medicine. You don’t want to experience the pain, discomfort, and unpleasantness of a gout attack, and there are several things you can do to achieve that.

Speak to your doctor about a medication that helps to eliminate the uric acid from your body faster. There are several forms of gout treatment, including Uricosuric agents, and xanthine oxidase inhibitors, which work differently, but are both effective parts of gout treatment and prevention.
Watch your weight. Being overweight puts more strain on your joints, and it increases the risk that your gout will flare up.
Avoid alcohol, and in particular, beer. Beer has been proven to cause your body to release more uric acid, and it works against your gout treatment.
Watch your diet, and avoid meat and seafood when possible. These contain high levels of a chemical called purine, which is particularly bad for gout sufferers.
Exercise moderately.
Speak to your doctor about your other medication. Some medication, like aspirin, while good for your heart, may raise your uric acid levels, and trigger a gout episode.
Gout Treatment – Treating Gout Attacks


Even if you are careful about gout prevention, there will probably still be times when gout treatment is necessary. Here are a few tips to help reduce the symptoms of an attack:

The first thing your doctor will recommend, in most cases, when you’re looking for gout treatment, is rest. You will need to elevate the joint, and not use them.
Your doctor will probably also prescribe an anti inflammatory, like ibuprofen, but remember, aspirin can make gout symptoms worse, so don’t take it, or any other over the counter drugs, until you have spoken to your doctor.
In severe cases, and depending on your doctor’s advice, your gout treatment may also include colchicine, and corticosteroids.
When it comes to illnesses like gout, the old adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ certainly, hold true. Waiting to treat gout, rather than practising preventative measures, can mean that you have to live with a lot more pain than is strictly necessary – and no one wants that! A few lifestyle changes, and a good doctor, who understands the disease, can make all the difference.

However, it should be comforting to know that you don’t have to suffer without any relief – in fact, there are several treatments that can be effective. So whether you’ve been newly diagnosed, or whether you have been suffering from gout some time, it’s worth finding out more about gout treatment, and avoiding at least some of the pain and discomfort.