Natural treatments for soft tissue pain
Natural treatments for soft tissue pain encompass a variety of non-invasive approaches aimed at alleviating discomfort in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Common modalities include acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and relaxation techniques, all of which can promote healing and reduce pain without the need for pharmaceuticals. Certain herbal supplements, such as boswellia, devil's claw, and white willow, are also explored for their potential analgesic properties, although scientific support for these remedies is often limited.
Additionally, the RICE method—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation—has been traditionally recommended for managing soft tissue injuries, though recent discussions suggest revisiting these guidelines to incorporate movement and stretching as beneficial elements to recovery. Lifestyle modifications, including gentle exercise, proper hydration, and balanced nutrition, can further support the healing process. Overall, these natural therapies offer a holistic perspective on managing soft tissue pain, catering to individuals seeking alternatives to conventional medical treatments.
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Natural treatments for soft tissue pain
DEFINITION: Treatment of muscle, tendon, and ligament pain.
- PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Acupuncture, biofeedback, boswellia, butterbur, chiropractic, devil’s claw, hypnosis, magnet therapy, massage, D-phenylalanine, prolotherapy, proteolytic enzymes, relaxation therapy, white willow, RICE
Introduction
When specific causes of symptoms are unknown, doctors sometimes refer to conditions simply by naming the symptoms. Such is the case for soft tissue pain. The term “soft tissue pain” refers to discomfort somewhere in the interconnected system of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as opposed to the bones, and does not attribute its particular cause.
The most commonly used conventional treatments for soft tissue pain consist primarily of drugs that relieve pain and inflammation, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and muscle relaxants. Physical therapy methods are commonly recommended for selected forms of soft tissue pain, but there is little to no reliable scientific evidence that they help. Other methods, such as therapeutic exercises, may help, but most reported studies are significantly flawed by the lack of a credible placebo treatment.
There is a similar lack of reliable evidence regarding other nonsurgical, nondrug methods used to control soft tissue pain, such as injection therapy, radiofrequency denervation, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Surgery may be useful for certain selected forms of soft tissue pain, although the supporting research evidence is generally incomplete. Acupuncture and massage therapy are non-invasive and safe treatments that can alleviate pain. Massage therapy has been subjected to medical studies, has been shown to be effective, and is now a regimen prescribed at notable hospitals such as the Mayo Clinic.
Proposed Natural Treatments
Natural soft tissue pain treatments include back pain, bursitis, fibromyalgia, neck pain, rotator cuff injury, sciatic pain, sports injuries, sprains, tendonitis, and tension headaches. Alternative therapies that may be useful for soft tissue pain include acupuncture, biofeedback, chiropractic, hypnosis, magnet therapy, massage, prolotherapy, and relaxation therapy. Herbs and supplements that may relieve pain include boswellia, butterbur, devil’s claw, D-phenylalanine, proteolytic enzymes, turmeric, cloves, lavender, ginger, peppermint, rosemary, magnesium sulfate, and white willow. While many herbs are proposed for pain relief, most lack scientific evidence.
A type of pain-management regimen has been termed "RICE." This acronym stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. These are safe and non-invasive methods to help provide relief from soft-tissue pain. Alternatively, heat compresses may accomplish many of the same desired effects. However, the RICE method has been a topic of controversy in the twenty-first century. In 2015, physician Gabe Mirkin, who pioneered the RICE method, admitted that, sometimes, rest and ice may delay healing. Recommendations concerning RICE have evolved to include the need to move, stretch, and put some weight on the injured area to improve healing, and while ice and heat have their place, too much of either is bad for soft-tissue healing.
Another option for individuals with soft-tissue pain is to implement lifestyle changes that may contribute to their afflictions. Recommendations include increased or modified exercise, improved rest, hydration, nutritious foods, and adequate sleep. Physical activities such as yoga, swimming, tai chi, and walking can be done without subjecting the patient to high levels of impact.
Bibliography
Bisset, L., et al. “A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Trials on Physical Interventions for Lateral Epicondylalgia.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 39, 2005, pp. 411-22.
Hayden, J. A., et al. “Meta-analysis: Exercise Therapy for Nonspecific Low Back Pain.” Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 142, 2005, pp. 765-775.
MacMillan, Carrie. "Is There a Better Way to Use RICE for Your Injury?" YaleMedicine, 9 Aug. 2024, www.yalemedicine.org/news/rice-protocol-for-injuries. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Milne, S., et al. “Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Chronic Low Back Pain.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2001, CD003008. Article is available through EBSCO DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance www.ebscohost.com/dynamed.
Niemisto, L., et al. “Radiofrequency Denervation for Neck and Back Pain.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2003, CD004058. Available through EBSCO DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance www.ebscohost.com/dynamed.
"Pain Management.” Cleveland Clinic, July 2024, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21514-pain-management. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Robertson, V. J., and K. G. Baker. “A Review of Therapeutic Ultrasound: Effectiveness Studies.” Physical Therapy, vol. 81, 2001, pp. 1339-50.
"Soft Tissue Injuries.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2023, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/softtissue-injuries. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Torborg, Liza. “Mayo Clinic Q and A: Alternative Treatments for Chronic Pain.” Mayo Clinic, 14 Jan. 2017, newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-alternative-treatments-for-chronic-pain. Accessed 5 Sept. 2023.