Alternative Therapies for Pain Conditions

Introduction

Traditionally Physical / Physiotherapists are taught to be 'hands on' therapists and use traditional methods such as manipulations and soft tissue mobilisations, wether your in the camp of McKenzie or Maitland can be influenced upon your training. There is a lot of eveidence to sugesst that our traditional methods of treatment aren't effective at managing persitent pain long term, so is it time to look outside the box at alternative methods? 

Mindful Meditation

Pain is not just a pathophysiological process which was once though, it is an experience that is individual and unique to everyone. Pain is linked to experiences and memory, emotions and perceptions and social expereicnece, therefore when treating persistent pain that is as complex as this, are 10-15 minuites of 'hands on' treatment going to be effective? 

Studies have shown a positive effect when looking at the effect of Mindful Meditation and persistent pain. Mindfulness / Mindful Meditation is defined as influencing the styles of thinking and emotional coping strategies, which aims to change unhelpful beliefs and catastrophising thoughts.