What’s the Verdict?
The effectiveness of some of these techniques,
such as meditation have been shown in several studies. Other methods though,
such as guided imageries have been largely no more than anecdotal at best.
Recently, the National Institutes of Health found that
acupuncture appeared to help relieve pain and improve function for patients with
osteoarthritis of the knees.
An important caveat is that even non-drug treatments can be
dangerous. Some can interact with medications and excessive dosages of
supplements may cause harmful side effects. Thus experts advised against
stopping or starting any therapies, traditional or alternative, without first
consulting a physician.
In summary, if you are suffering from any types of recurring
pains that do not respond well to pain killers, know that there are alternatives
to pain killers out that can help you on an individual basis. As always, it is
important to consult with your physicians before starting or stopping any
treatments.
For more information on some alternatives to pain killer, the
following sources are good places to start your researches:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine
http://www.nccam.nih.gov
Mayo Clinic Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Center
http://www.mayoclinic.com
University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and
Healing
http://www.csh.umn.edu.
Some Alternatives to Pain Killers.
W. Payne. Health/Star and Tribune. 01/23/05.
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