Chronic Pain is serious business. Ongoing, long term pain affects us in many ways. Pain causes a distraction that steals away our focus. Pain reduces our mobility and interferes with sleep, cascading us into a multitude of interconnected symptoms and health concerns.
One of the primary forms of treatment is the use of drugs to reduce the symptoms of chronic pain. Drug therapy does not actually correct or heal the underlying problem, but does mask the pain, to some degree. Most medications do have side effects, and consideration must be taken with combining any medication with other drugs or even some foods.
There are alternatives when treating chronic pain. Giving more attention to diet can make a big difference. Certain food additives which have somehow been approved as for our foods, such as MSG, can have adverse effects on our pain levels and overall health.
Chronic pain can also be treated through physical movement such as yoga, swimming, or walking. Acupuncture is also employed, focusing on clearing the energy meridians aka the subtle electrical system of the body. Massage can improve circulation and break down tension, releasing toxin buildup in muscles.
One of the newer forms of treatment for chronic pain is deep penetrating light therapy. This treatment received FDA approval in 2008. This technology aids in removing tension as well as the temporary relief of pain. Studies are underway in the use of deep penetrating light therapy for pain associated with bone marrow transplants as well.
Chronic pain is such a broad problem, stemming for a wide range of causes. Treatments may vary, some curative while others offering temporary relief. When we look at the millions of people affected by chronic pain it is encouraging to know that there are non-invasive, safe forms of treatment for chronic pain.