Alternative therapies such as yoga, massage, acupuncture and tai chi are particularly popular among Asian people. However, their efficacy remains unclear in the eyes of classical Western medicine. So can these treatments really help?

In a recent study by the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health, the researchers analyzed 105 publications on alternative therapies over the past 50 years, and found that they were indeed beneficial in relieving pain (especially chronic pain).

In this study, the researchers focused on 7 alternative therapies: yoga, massage, acupuncture, tai chi, meditation/relaxation, chiropractic and osteopathy. Analysis of the 105 publications revealed that some of these therapies could reduce pain without any side effects.

The researchers summarized the results and gave the following recommendations:

• Back pain: could be reduced by yoga and acupuncture.
• Arthritis: could be reduced by acupuncture and tai chi.
• Shoulders discomfort: could be reduced by massage therapy.
• Headache and migraine: could be reduced by meditation/relaxation.

Although chiropractic and osteopathy were also helpful in treating back pain, there were too little studies on these techniques so the overall efficacy remained inconclusive.

The research leader, Richard L. Nahin, said that painkillers did not act on the causes of pain and often produced several side effects. The results of this study could provide patients suffering from chronic pain with more therapeutic optionswithout the side effects.

Dr. Neil Jolly, a pain specialist in Louisiana, believed that the alternative therapies should be incorporated as part of the standard medical treatment procedures, based on the results of this study. These alternative therapies could provide patients with more treatment options and reduce the reliance on painkillers.

The research team hoped that through this study, patients suffering from chronic pain could receive better medical care beyond just using pain medications.

With one of the latest research (September 1st, 2016) points out :

• Acupuncture and yoga for back pain
• Acupuncture and tai chi for osteoarthritis of the knee
• Massage therapy for neck pain with adequate doses and for short-term benefit
• Relaxation techniques for severe headaches and migraine

Brief Report can be found in the following article “Nondrug Approaches Effective For Treatment Of Common Pain Conditions” (OR CLICK ME TO OPEN) by N.I.H.

What do you think about the research?  Is this what you have expected or does this surprise you?

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