According to a 2012 survey by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 25.3 million adults in the U.S. had pain daily for the preceding 3 months and nearly 40 million had severe pain.

Individuals with chronic pain have worse overall health, are more likely to access health care, report a lower quality of life, have decreased productivity at work, are more likely to experience depression, and are more likely to claim disability than those with less severe pain. Chronic pain can be the result of a health condition, injury, medical treatment (such as surgery), inflammation, a problem in the nervous system, or unknown cause.

Recent news headlines have been dominated by reports of opioid addiction. Opioids are often prescribed for pain but can be highly addictive. Therefore, it is important to consider alternative methods to help manage pain. Some alternative techniques that have demonstrated some effectiveness in helping people manage chronic pain include: acupuncture, spinal manipulation, massage therapy, relaxation techniques, tai chi, Qi Gong, and yoga.  

Some things to consider before starting alternative methods to managing pain:

• Always consult with your primary care provider before starting a new pain management approach.  This keeps your provider informed of all the things you do to manage your health and some approaches are not appropriate or may need to be modified for some health conditions, such as pregnancy.  
• Research a method you are considering.  Use trustworthy sources and see what scientific research says about the safety and effectiveness of the method.  Don’t rely on advertisements or testimonials from friends and family.
• Discuss alternative pain management methods with the provider you see for chronic pain.  Ask them questions about the product or practice you are considering. They will likely be able to offer good advice on methods that might be helpful for you.      
• Alternative approaches are designated “complementary” because they should be conducted in addition to your primary care.  You should continue to see your health care provider as usual.
• If the alternative you are considering is conducted by a practitioner, such as spinal manipulation or massage therapy, ask your medical provider to recommend someone.  You should research the training, experience, and license of any provider you are considering. Ask the provider if they have experience dealing with your condition.
• Talk with your health care provider if you are considering any herbal or dietary supplements because these might interact with some prescription medications you might be taking.  

For more information: https://nccih.nih.gov/health/pain/chronic.htm