Alternative Pain Management

What is Alternative Pain Management?

Alternative pain management therapies have been around for centuries, helping individuals to heal pain and injury without the use of narcotics or invasive procedures that may or may not be successful. Traditional pain management typically relies on the use of pain medication. While pain medication is a valuable tool for the temporary relief of pain, it is not sustainable as a long-term solution. This is particularly true in the case of opiates, which are notoriously addictive in addition to losing efficacy over time as the patient builds tolerance.

Alternative pain management techniques rely on treatments designed to solve the cause of the pain, so that the relief is long-term and sustainable. When comparing alternative pain management to opioids, many patients prefer an option that allows them to live their normal lives. Non-narcotic pain management treatments vary in their approach to healing. Below are a few examples:

Examples of Alternative Pain Management:

Medically Supervised Knee Injections/Injection Therapies

Our joints go through a lot of wear and tear throughout our lives, causing many patients to seek out treatments such as knee injections and other injection therapies to avoid surgery. Medically supervised injection therapies such as Hyalgan knee injections treat the source of pain with hyaluronic gel that mimics the body’s own synovial fluid. This acts as a cushion that alleviates pain.

Sanexas

Sanexas is a powerful pain management technique that utilizes electrical cell signaling to treat painful conditions such as neuropathy, osteoarthritis and chronic and acute pain. Sanexas treatment occurs under the care of a medical physician and is administered with care. It is a painless procedure most patients describe as a tingling sensation.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help chronic pain patients regain their lives through rehabbing underlying issues plaguing their bodies. Physical therapy supports flexibility, mobility, balance and injury prevention. In turn, patients can participate in their own healing by increasing the function of their bodies. Whether healing from a recent accident or treating a long-term illness, physical therapy is a beneficial component of any comprehensive pain management plan.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic adjustments are another beneficial tool in the fight against neck and back pain. Spinal manipulation can help improve the function of the body and the nervous system in particular. The spine is the communication highway for our bodies, passing messages between the nerves and the brain. When interference occurs, it can create challenges for the sufferer, including pain. Correction via chiropractic care has helped many patients find relief.

TENS

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is an excellent option for the temporary relief of pain from conditions such as arthritis. Using low-voltage currents, TENS disrupts the nerve’s communication with the brain, either blocking pain completely or reframing how your body interprets pain signals.

What Conditions Can be Treated with Alternative Pain Management?

The list below contains the most common conditions that can be treated with alternative pain relief at our holistic pain management center.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy, also referred to as peripheral neuropathy, is a condition that occurs when our nerves become damaged and misfire or stop sending messages to the brain entirely. Patients with neuropathy report weakness in the affected area, as well as numbness and tingling. Neuropathy is more common in older adults and individuals with diabetes; however, it can impact people of all ages and health. Left untreated, neuropathy can be incredibly dangerous, resulting in infection, amputation and even death.

There are several alternative pain management options for neuropathy patients. Colorado Health and Wellness offers treatments such as Sanexas, which improves damaged nerve pathways using electrotherapy. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is another option for staving off pain while pursuing other treatment options.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs when the constant use of our joints wears down the protective cartilage that prevents the bones from grinding together. It causes a great deal of pain for afflicted patients. Symptoms include stiffness, swelling, loss of mobility, grating and permanent damage to the affected joint. Osteoarthritis is most common in older adults, but it can also be more prevalent in athletes or individuals with highly physical or physically repetitive jobs.

Alternative pain management options for osteoarthritis patients include medically supervised injections such as knee injections, which protect the joint with a synovial-like gel. Physical therapy and Sanexas can be utilized as part of a multi-disciplinary care plan.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain associated with conditions such as fibromyalgia, poorly healed injuries, long-term pain associated with workplace injuries or military service, or lingering effects from an accident can severely affect quality of life for the afflicted patient. Even a recent accident can turn into chronic pain if not properly cared for. Many conditions associated with chronic pain are “invisible” illnesses, creating difficulty for many patients to receive proper pain management treatment.

Alternative chronic pain management solutions will vary depending upon the condition. For individuals with complex conditions such as fibromyalgia, options can include chiropractic spinal decompression, spinal manipulation, TENS, Sanexas and trigger point therapy. For patients with pain caused by older injuries, chiropractic and physical therapy may be beneficial, as well as medically supervised injection therapies.

Recovery from Auto Accident or Injury

Accidents or injuries can occur at any time to any person, making the risk of requiring pain management applicable to almost everyone. Recovering from an accident or injury can be a long exhausting and painful process. It is also the most common time for a patient to be prescribed opiates or other pharmaceuticals to manage pain.

The holistic approach to pain management for patients recovering from an accident or injury will vary based upon the cause of their pain. For some patients, a physical therapy program can be supportive in reducing pain. Others may benefit from chiropractic adjustments. The key is to work with your pain management clinic to develop a plan that works for your goals.

Why is Colorado Health and Wellness the Best Alternative Pain Management Clinic in Colorado Springs?

Colorado Health and Wellness is committed to being the best alternative medicine practitioner in Colorado Springs. We offer a combination of services that are unmatched in the Pikes Peak region.

• 8 different licenses under one roof
• Integrated, multidisciplinary care
• Options for chiropractic care, nutrition services and supplements and medically supervised injections for pain-relief
• Non-invasive methods for injury recovery and pain relief
• Whole-body wellness
• Medical doctor on staff
• Solutions-oriented: Solve the problem at the source