Three Ways to Manage Chronic Pain Without Medication
Three Ways to Manage Chronic Pain Without Medication

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If you’re looking to start managing your chronic pain without medication, you may not know where to start. The first step is to talk with your doctor, as they can help you determine whether medication is necessary, or if you can start weaning yourself off. Once you’ve done that, you can start looking for alternative treatments. These will all vary depending on your pain, condition, physical aptitude, and accessibility. Below we’ll take a look at the three most common ways you can start managing chronic pain without medication.

Physical Therapy
While there is no one size fits all solution when it comes to managing chronic pain without medication, many experts agree that physical therapy is highly effective. Stretching and strengthening muscles with the help of a physical therapist not only relieves pain but can prevent it from coming back. Going to physical therapy can also help improve your overall muscle functioning, which can reduce your risk of injury in the long term.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapists teach patients self-management skills. When it comes to chronic pain, the most common ailments that physical therapists see include:

Back and neck pain
Osteoporosis
Hip or joint pain
Arthritis
Injuries such as slipped or herniated disks
Sciatica
Plantar fasciitis
For many people, physical therapy can be an extremely effective way to manage your chronic pain without medications. However, physical therapy alone may not always be a solution to pain management. In cases of arthritis, for example, most doctors see immune-modulating drugs as the first choice of treatment, and physical therapy as an adjunct.

If you’re looking for a physical therapist, it is important to first find out whether your health care plan covers visits. Next, talk with your doctor to find someone who is licensed to practice in your state. Your doctor may also recommend finding a therapist who has experience in dealing with your particular condition.

Regular Exercise
For many, when thinking of managing chronic pain without medication, exercise is likely one of the last things that come to mind. However, research has shown that regular, gentle exercise can help you recover when in pain. For many years, the treatment choice for chronic pain included recommendations for rest and inactivity. However, exercise may have specific benefits in reducing the severity of chronic pain, as well as more general benefits associated with improved overall physical and mental health, and physical functioning.

Physical activity and exercise programs are increasingly being promoted by healthcare professionals for a variety of chronic pain conditions. Depending on your current state of health, exercise