Regardless of the cause, everybody experiences pain of some kind in their lives. From the daily ache of arthritis to the smarting of an injury, this complex medical condition can take many forms, but almost all affect an individual’s physical and mental well-being in varying amounts.
By and large, pain falls into two categories – acute, or sudden pain caused by trauma or tissue damage, and chronic or persistent discomfort, which is often symptomatic of deeper problems, such as disease or stress. Depending on the cause, treatment may be simple or complex, according to experts in the field.
Overall, some 1.5 billion people around the world suffer from chronic pain lasting more than 12 weeks, according to the American Academy of Pain Medicine. That is almost 20 per cent of people worldwide, or one in five, whose quality of life is impeded by debilitating pain.
While pain relief medicines and surgeries are some of the most common lines of treatment, alternative therapies have now started to play a very important role in the management of pain with minimum or no side effects. Here are some popular options.
Nerve stimulation
In recent years, low-voltage electric current has been employed for pain relief. “Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses mild electrical pulses to interrupt pain signals along the nerves,” says Dr Nitin Kumar Sachdeva, an anaesthesia specialist at Medeor 24x7 International Hospital, Al Ain.
Devices can be used for back, neck and even labour pain. “TENS back pain devices are most helpful for treating pain caused by muscular pain or nerve-related pain conditions, such as sciatica.”
TENS is usually carried out with a small, battery-powered machine about the size of a small radio, with the current applied viaby means of two electrodes attached to the skin.
Light therapy
First documented by NASA, a growing number of people are using deep-penetrating infrared therapy to tackle chronic pain and inflammation. New developments have seen the launch of infrared light-transmitting devices for home use, says Dr Sachdeva.
“It is highly recommended for arthritis, sprains, strains, stiffness, swelling and wound healing.” Red and infrared light from LED bulbs penetrates the skin’s underlying tissues where it is absorbed by cellular mitochondria, which hastens the healing process and reduces inflammation," he adds.
Acupuncture
The use of fine needles to stimulate specific points along the meridians promotes good health by improving organ function and alleviating pain while focusing on energy balance, says Dr Maria Ridao Alonso, Medical and Admin Director of Dubai Herbal Treatment Centre and a physician with training in neurology and psychiatry (right).
“The treatment relieves pain by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkilling chemicals, and by affecting the part of the brain that governs serotonin, a brain chemical involved with mood,” she says. Acupuncture is particularly beneficial when managing surgical recovery, decreased immunity, chronic aches and pains, cardiovascular disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, stress, fatigue, signs of ageing neuromuscular conditions and infertility, explains Dr Alonso.
The World Health Organization currently recognizes more than 30 diseases or conditions that can be helped by acupuncture treatment, one of the main uses of acupuncture is for pain relief.
Chiropractic massages
Chiropractic treatment is the most common non-surgical remedy for back pain, says Dr Sachdeva. The discipline focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders, emphasising manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine. “Improvements in people undergoing chiropractic manipulation were noted in some trials.” Research suggests it may also be helpful for headaches, neck pain, and certain arm and leg conditions.
Fascia Treatments
For centuries, spas have offered solace to patients of all kinds of diseases. However, the rise of analgesics in the last century saw their appeal diminish until the side effects of some of these drugs became known and spas have since become popular again.
“Spas are a great help as they offer a relaxing environment. Second, if the treatment procedure is done and taught correctly, a trusted bond forms between client and therapist. As pain is a physical and neurological response, distraction, intuition and the right techniques like breathing exercise while having a massage will definitely help,” says Anja Liebenberg, Manager of the Raffles Spa. She points out that treatments need to be tailored to every individual.
One therapy to address physical imbalances is the fascia release treatment, which can help with headaches, backaches and leg pain, says Anja Liebenberg, Manager of Raffles Spa. “Fascia is like a web of tissue that holds our body in its shape under the skin,” she says.
If this tissue is being disturbed by an emotional or physical trauma, it can have a tremendous impact on the physical wellbeing on a day to day basis. Wrong posture, slouching or weak muscles also have a big impact,” Liebenberg says.
The treatment takes 75 minutes but its results can take up to four days to be fully realised. The result is that the whole body deeply relaxes and detoxifies, an effect that lasts longer than a physiotherapy session.
Weight loss
The UAE’s obesity issue — 31.7 per cent of residents are obese, according to the World Health Organisation — has its part to play in the management of pain. “By reducing weight that [situation] improves, and physiotherapy is a must to strengthen supporting muscles, which can also give stability to joints,” says Dr Alonso.
Dr Sachdeva says that weight loss achieved by a combination of dietary changes and increased physical activity has been shown to be helpful for people suffering from osteoarthritis, and points to a change in diet as well. “A mostly raw vegetarian diet was found helpful for some people with fibromyalgia,” he says. “One study of women with premenstrual symptoms suggested that a low-fat vegetarian diet was associated with decreased pain intensity and duration.
“Still, further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of dietary modifications as a pain treatment.”
