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Alternative Treatments
Today many people look outside traditional medicine to
find relief for chronic pain such as from arthritis. Some of these may be helpful.
However, you should be wary of treatments that make claims that seem unrealistic,
such as a complete cure or 100% guarantee pain relief. If it sound too good to
be true, it probably is. Here are a few common alternative treatments that many
people have found to be helpful for spinal arthritis: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
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TCM is based on the belief that the body needs to be in balance
in order to remain healthy. Pain and illness result when the body is out
of balance and there is a disturbance in the body's energy. TCM treatments
focus on returning the body's delicate balance. Some examples of TCM treatments
include acupuncture (inserting thin needles into the skin to stimulate healing),
herbal medicine (the use of plants to heal the body and relive pain) and
various types of massage. |
Yoga
Yoga is a type of exercise program that includes gentle
stretching, controlled breathing, focused concentration and meditation. Yoga is
not for everyone; talk to your physician before starting any exercise regimen.
Relaxation Therapy
Relaxation therapy teaches you to release the tension in your
muscles and may help reduce arthritis pain. Your physical therapist may be able
to teach you how to use relaxation techniques at home. Lifestyle Modification
An important part of arthritis treatment is to change those habits in your life
that may contribute to your pain. Some lifestyle changes you may need to consider
include: · Losing weight
· Eating well-balanced and nutritional meals every day
· Establishing a regular (daily) exercise program
· Reducing or removing stress
in your life.
There is no cure for arthritis, but as you can see from this article,
there are ways to control the pain and allow you to remain active and healthy.
Don't let arthritis pain take charge of your life - learn to control it and live
each day to the fullest.
Continue this article...
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