The battle against chronic pain and inflammation has been going on for centuries. It’s a battle that’s been waged on behalf of hundreds of millions of people who suffer from such challenges every day. Here in 2023, it has become clear that new technologies, along with tried and true treatment options, have made great progress in this ongoing battle. Let’s take a look at some of the pain and inflammation treatment options that are available today.
Massage Therapy
Soft tissue damage is one of the leading causes of body pain and inflammation. The key to resolving strained or torn soft tissue is getting a fresh source of blood to the injured area. The best way to do this is to unblock any areas that might restrict the flow of healthy blood.
If it’s solely a soft tissue treatment issue, treatment may fall under the purview of a massage therapist. With their magic hands and expert experience, they can knead, stretch, and massage certain muscle groups, which can result in improved blood flow to the area being treated. Two to three sessions a week for several weeks would likely produce the best results.
Chiropractic Care
If the source of a person’s pain seems to be radiating from the neck or back, there is an excellent chance that this person is dealing with spine issues. In other words, their skeletal system is out of alignment, which is resulting in some kind of nerve pain. Such issues would best be put in the hands of a reputable chiropractor.
Through a series of adjustments to the back and neck, a chiropractor can effectively return a patient’s body into proper alignment. Over time, this will result in reduced pressure on nerves that have been causing pain or discomfort. These treatments also help with the increase of healthy blood flow throughout the body, which can help improve one’s immune response and overall health.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been practiced in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. While its introduction in the United States was fairly recent, research shows that it is an effective method for treating chronic pain. The process of acupuncture therapy involves the use of small needles that are pushed into the skin on or around treatment areas. It is believed that this process releases natural painkillers that exist in the body and soothes chronic pain.
Before seeking acupuncture treatment, it is important to consult your primary care physician. This method should be used in conjunction with other treatment methods, not stand-alone. For anyone who is not afraid of needles and looking to explore other ways of treating chronic pain in 2023, acupuncture is worth checking out.
Red Light Therapy (RTL)
While massage therapy and chiropractic treatments are mildly invasive, innovators in medical technology have been looking for completely non-invasive ways of treating pain and inflammation. Medical science has found a way through something called red light therapy treatment.
RTL requires the use of a specific spectrum of low-level light. The treatments themselves are short in duration but require a bit more time to achieve the healing of a targeted area. As a point of reference, experts have reported that treatment sessions should be confined to 20 minutes a session, about 3-4 sessions a week.
The goal of RTL is very much the same as massage therapy but less invasive. This type of therapy seeks to generate new body cells through the application of red light, which includes the generation of new blood cells. As the red light is applied to injured soft tissues, it can speed up the healing process by creating new cells more quickly.
Aside from using this technology to deal with pain and inflammation issues, RTL has a few other benefits that are quite remarkable. Some of these other benefits include:
-Rejuvenation of dead and burnt skin cells
-Reduction of scar tissue, which can lessen pain
-Promotes regeneration of eye cells, which improves vision
-Promotes hair growth
-Has some applications in cancer treatment
-Removes wrinkles and age spots
-Improves the body’s immune response
Avoiding Invasive Treatment Options
What all of these treatment options have in common is they are far less invasive than the traditional treatment options a physician might choose. These traditional treatment options might include prescribing pain medication, steroid epidural injections, and surgery when all else fails. All three of these options are less than ideal because they each come with certain health risks and limitations.
Final Thoughts
If you are dealing with pain and inflammation issues, you need to be prudent about the treatment option or options you choose to explore. As a rule of thumb and unless you have a significant injury, you should start with the least invasive treatment option and work your way up the ladder. With the help of experienced and considerate physicians, you can find the right treatment for you!
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