"Newer" Pain Management Options

[Harrison]

I’ve been really digging into some alternative techniques for helping patients manage or eliminate post-operative pain. We’ve talked about some of these before, but I have some fresh insights that may help people near and far…

Some of the sports rehab centers have equipped themselves with instruments to treat pain. There are many types of electronic equipment that are used; e.g., not only TENS machines. Some use machines that “read” a patient’s energy profile, then re-inject energy (at the right level and frequency) back into the patient (Ondamed is one example). This sophisticated technique is drawn on principles of bioresonance, a concept closely coupled to the ancient techniques of “chi,” from Eastern medicine.

We've also talked about cold laser therapy, which used pulsed laser energy (it's not continuous wave; the "pulse" implies no heating effect). Many here have found cold laser therapy very effective for spine pain, with the actual mechanism for pain relief still a bit unclear.

So, what follows are a few practices that may help patients. If you are in the Boston area, you can get treated by folks I’ve interviewed on your behalf!
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Cold-Laser Therapy

Back On Track Physical Therapy is currently conducting case studies in cold-laser therapy (Waltham, Newton, Brookline, Cambridge, Bedford, and Boston). They focus on one-on-one patient care with hour long appointments. Several locations have access to pools for aquatic therapy.

Contact:
Jeffrey A. Abraham, MSPT
Back On Track Physical Therapy
Brookline, MA 02446
617-730-5337
www.backontrackpt.com
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Tuina Therapy

I excerpted the following from the Chi Wellness web site. Note they have multiple locations in Mass. and soon in New Hampshire.

What is Tuina?
Tuina is the oldest known system of massage and physical therapy in the world. It uses the Traditional Chinese Medical theory of channels and collaterals (meridians or pathways), and the flow of the Chi energy as its basic therapeutic orientation. Through the application of massage and manipulation techniques, Tuina seeks to establish a more harmonious Chi energy through the system of channels and collaterals, allowing the body to naturally heal itself.

Tuina methods include the use of hand and arm techniques to massage the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body, stimulation of acupressure points to directly affect the flow of Chi energy through the system of channels and collaterals, and manipulation techniques to realign the musculo-skeletal and ligamentous relationships (bone setting).

Contact:
Dr. Miles Chen
Waltham Weston Lincoln Clinic
318 Bear Hill Rd, Ste 10, Waltham, Ma 02451
Ph 781.290.0488
http://www.chiwellness.com/
Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Tuina, Tai Chi

[ZorroSF]

I've had a PT who tried cold laser therapy on me for a straight week. All I got was outrageous bills and ripped off.

I've heard if this is to work at all, you need to do this for a very long period of time. Add to the fact that most insurance companies don't cover this and I don't even see the point. You'd be better healed by taking pilates from a master instructor teaching you how to lengthen and tone your intrinsic muscles.

[Harrison]

Zorro, that's a bummer. I've learned that some patients get these treatments paid by insurance as physical therapy. Also, there are many differences in the cold laser technologies. E.g., the power output (duty cyle, wattage, wavelength, etc.). It depends on the pathology of the disease(s), the machine and the application. Almost too many variables to consider...

Some folks find relief, others don't. But I hope you find something that works!

[customsoda]

I tried several months of cold laser treatments combined with spinal decompression. The minor pain relief I had lasted only a day or so after each treatment and although I was told by the chiropractor giving the treatments that it has a very high success rate, it didn't do much except empty my bank account. My wife tried the cold laser for foot pain, and it was successful for her, but once, again, very expensive (about $3000.00)

[DavidBackPain]

I had tuina massage some time ago, it's just a technique where they try to reopen the nerve "tracks" by putting a lot of pressure on certain spots the nerves travel trough.

It was very painfull, and it didn't gave my any relief at all.

It was not expensive per session, about 30$.

This was before my adr.

[maz]

I found Ibrufen and co codymol (Solpedene) good for post op pain. Now I am trying Pregablin but doc started me on 150mg and I feel very out of it called the office and asked can I have lower doses does anyone know what is a safe does to start on? Maz