The Holistic Approach to Pain Management
As people age, chronic health conditions may develop and persist, causing debilitating pain for many. The conventional Western medicine approach favors pain management medications that merely mask the problem, sometimes ignoring the root causes. A holistic approach, by contrast, addresses the whole body, recognizing the role of emotional response and overall physical wellness in the healing process.
Early Approaches to Pain Management
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, relied heavily upon the power of nature to heal his patients, believing that the body could often repair itself if subjected to the right circumstances. It took some time, but the medical community did begin to recognize the importance of the psychological side of pain, resulting in the holistic approach to medicine and pain management that combines both medical interventions and natural healing processes.
Holistic Approaches to Pain at Princeton Health Care Center
Physical therapy
Most people who experience chronic pain cannot imagine that further activity or exercise could be useful, but the top pain management specialists recommend physical therapy as a viable solution to conditions such as fibromyalgia, nerve pain, chronic headaches, and osteoarthritis. Chronic pain usually causes a reduction in regular activities, which in turn, weakens the patient, making it even harder to resume their normal lifestyles. Physical therapy is commonly misunderstood as being only exercises for injuries, but there are many other methods that can be employed, such as massage, manual therapy, or biofeedback. Physical therapy can be employed alone or as part of a larger solution for chronic pain and illness, with or without pain management medication, and reduces the instances of reinjury while improving the patient’s mental outlook by keeping them active.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is often used interchangeably with physical therapy, but they are two distinct disciplines. Typically, occupational therapy picks up where physical therapy leaves off, building strength, especially in older patients who experience limited mobility. Occupational therapy can include physical exercises, of course, but it also fosters independence by employing adaptive techniques and equipment that allow patients to do as many of their essential life activities as possible. Through advanced training, occupational therapists also help patients learn strategies for improved memory function and cognition, keeping the brain and body young and active.
Invest in Whole-Body Health
Though positivity on its own cannot permanently heal chronic pain or injury, the patient’s outlook plays a big role in the recovery process. Optimistic patients who truly believe in the body’s ability to heal and move past the challenging moments are more likely to keep on their course of treatment and seek out new and promising medical interventions. Contact Princeton Health Care Center today to learn how physical therapy, occupational therapy, and pain medications can work together to provide total recovery and healing for you or your loved ones.