An estimated 20% of Americans suffer from chronic pain, making it the country’s most common chronic condition. The intensity of the pain experienced by patients is such that it leaves them unable to carry on with everyday activities. Moreover, the strict prescription guidelines for pain medication make it difficult for patients to get the help they need. In Atlanta, those afflicted with chronic pain have been resorting to extreme measures to relieve their suffering, including amputation and opioid overuse. 

Due to the dire circumstances, Atlantans have resorted to exploring alternative treatments for their pain. From Eastern medicine and spiritual healing to mindfulness, residents of the state are willing to give everything a try. Some of these alternative treatments have proven to be quite effective in managing chronic pain. If you’re suffering from chronic pain and are interested in alternative medicine, here are a few alternative treatments available in Atlanta that you can try.

1. Chiropractic treatment

One of the most effective alternative treatments for chronic pain is chiropractic treatment. You can find over 2,280 licensed chiropractors in the state of Georgia, with a high density in metro areas like Atlanta. The treatment is offered at several Atlanta functional medicine centers. In technical terms, chiropractic medicine treats mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system. However, simply put, chiropractors work on treating the spine using their bare hands. 

While modern medicine remains skeptical about chiropractic procedures, the results speak for themselves. A recent survey shows 65% of chiropractic patients claim the treatment is very effective, especially in treating back and neck pain. If you ask us, those are pretty good odds. If you’re serious about exploring alternative treatments, give chiropractic medicine a shot and book your appointment.

2. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is another alternative pain treatment that has withstood the test of time and has a loyal community of former patients that swear by it. A traditional Chinese medicinal treatment, acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into the patient’s body to stimulate the sensory nerves. This helps treat and reduce chronic pain. While the process sounds painful, the only unpleasant sensation is felt when the needles initially prick the skin. After that, little to no pain is experienced for the entire time the needles remain in the body.

 Acupuncture has been known to treat chronic pain in patients suffering from sports injuries, osteoarthritis, and many other painful conditions. As per studies, patients who complete the treatment have a success rate of almost 80%. Even if you don’t achieve the results you’re looking for, there are no known dangers of acupuncture.

3. Physical therapy

Most doctors of modern medicine often found encourage physical therapy for those suffering from chronic pain more than any other alternative treatment. You can try many different kinds of physical therapy to treat your chronic pain. However, we recommend yoga and massage.

Yoga is a low-intensity workout that originated in India as a spiritual-religious practice. Yoga practitioners believe it has many benefits, including treating chronic pain conditions such as arthritis. On the other hand, massage involves applying pressure on certain points of the body to tighten muscles and improve blood circulation, which helps manage chronic pain and relax the body.

4. Psychological therapy

Another alternative treatment you can try out to help manage your chronic pain is psychological therapy. While this is still unorthodox, psychological therapy is a proven treatment method that helps people overcome many physical ailments. The most common way psychological therapy works is by teaching pain management activities, mental stress-reduction techniques, and healthy coping methods.

On the other hand, there are also instances where the mental and emotional distress a person is suffering from gets too much to handle and manifests in the form of physical pain. Through psychological therapy, the root cause of the pain can be properly addressed, which can help relieve the chronic pain experienced by the person.

5. Eastern medicine

Eastern medicine is an entire science to which people dedicate their lives. Undoubtedly, there is a reason for the popularity of this form of alternative medicine. Eastern medicine is primarily practiced in Asia and consists of herbal remedies that have medicinal properties. It is especially popular in the Indian subcontinent. 

For chronic pain, you can refer to pain-relieving herbal remedies that use ginger or boswellia to curb inflammation and pain and directly incorporate these elements into your diet. Alternatively, you can consult an Eastern medicine practitioner specializing in creating organic medicines and supplements and buy them from them. 

Takeaway

Chronic pain is one of the most difficult medical conditions to live with. Many patients have their entire lives disrupted because of limited mobility, crushing pain, and the inability to function without pain medication. However, pain medications have countless negative side effects that worsen the patient’s problems. 

This is where alternative treatments come in and offer new hope through natural treatments. If you or a loved one suffers from chronic pain, consider opting for one of the above alternative treatments to manage your pain. With considerably fewer risks than modern medicine, you might find the answer to your prayers in alternative medicine.

Robert Haynes, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.