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August 31, 2004
Alternative Therapies For Pain
The conventional approach to pain management involves powerful prescription drug whose side effects can range from ulcers to organ failure to addiction. Natural alternatives to prescription pain medications include herbs, acupuncture and massage.
Since herbal remedies are not as strictly regulated as conventional drugs, it pays to be cautious before using them. Research shows a wide variation in purity, so choose a reputable manufacturer.
While objective research studies are hard to design for acupuncture, many scientists believe it works by stimulating the body's natural pain killers, called endorphins.
Massage, also known as the healing touch, is one of the most popular forms of nonprescription pain relief. For example, physicians from Beth Israel Hospital in Seattle published a report that showed massage to be highly effective for chronic lower back pain. Several other studies have shown massage helps breast cancer patients reduce pain and swelling in their arms caused by a build up of lymphatic fluid. At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, researchers found massage reduced muscle spasms in patients who had just undergone heart bypass surgery.
Posted by linda at August 31, 2004 9:03 AM
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