Overview

Have you been experiencing chronic neck or back pain and are ready to get back to feeling better? An integrated pain management therapy session with us might be just what you need to increase your overall levels of wellness. Here are the main things to know about the benefits of the different forms of integrated pain management therapies.

What Are Integrated Pain Management Therapies?

Integrated pain management therapies are practices of functional and integrative medicine that can be used alongside primary care to manage chronic and acute pain. Acupuncture, yoga, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), reiki, and music therapy are just some of the many forms of integrative health that can be used as effective drug-free alternatives for patients dealing with illnesses that result in pain.

An integrated pain management system takes into consideration the patient as a whole, including their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. These therapies work to restore balance within the body by addressing the underlying symptoms of disease and are often continued by patients to maintain their overall wellness and quality of life.

What Are the Benefits of Integrated Pain Management Therapies?

There are multiple benefits to adding integrated pain management therapies to manage your chronic or acute pain. Integrative forms of medicine are typically non-invasive and low intensity, and most importantly, do not involve the use of narcotics. Some benefits include:

• Improved quality of life
• Reduction in severity and intensity of pain
• Improved coordination and cognitive function
• Increased self-awareness
• Decreased use of medications, especially in the case of recovering substance abusers
• Decreased emotional distress, levels of stress, and anxiety
• Improved sleep quality

What to Expect During Integrated Pain Management Therapy Sessions

If you’ve never been to an integrated pain management therapy session, you might be wondering what to expect during your first appointment. A certified professional at Chris Strickland will begin by asking you a comprehensive set of questions to determine your current health status, including current symptoms of pain and other health-related conditions. Your evaluation will also include a look into your sleep, mental and emotional well-being. From there, your physician will develop an integrated pain management therapy treatment plan that’s personalized to you and can include yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, music therapy, and reiki.

Depending on your treatment, sessions can last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes in length and will go on for multiple weeks before any change in pain levels can be experienced. Your physician will evaluate your progress at regular intervals, and it’s often common for new integrative health therapies to be prescribed along the way.

For more information about integrated pain management therapies, contact Chris Strickland at (706) 769-9779.