A Comprehensive Review of Alternative Therapies for the Management of Chronic Pain Patients: Acupuncture, Tai Chi, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, and Chiropractic Care

Abstract

Introduction Non-pharmacologic alternative therapies for pain have been around for a long time, some for hundreds of years. They have been used throughout history to treat many issues. Recent Findings Currently, alternative medicine is most frequently used to treat musculoskeletal pain, and between 59 and 90% of patients utilizing alternative therapies for chronic pain claimed they were helpful and can serve as an effective adjunctive for the treatment of chronic pain. Some examples of alternative therapies that will be discussed in this review include acupuncture, tai chi, osteopathic manipulation, and chiropractic care. Acupuncture, traditionally a Chinese practice, is becoming more popular across the world to attempt to relieve pain. It involves the placement of thin needles at various points in the body. The efficacy of acupuncture for pain is heavily debated. More research and discussion are necessary to determine the exact role it plays in the treatment of chronic pain. Tai chi is also a traditional Chinese practice that is often used as a form of meditation and for potential health benefits. Tai chi involves a series of complex movements such as squatting combined with deep breathing to achieve relaxation and pain reduction. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a technique used by both osteopathic physicians (DO) as well as other health professionals to manage a wide range of conditions in any given patient. The technique involves utilization and manipulation of the musculoskeletal system to achieve potential health benefits. OMT has been used as therapy for many issues but is commonly used for pain conditions. Summary Alternative therapies may serve as an effective adjunctive treatment modality for the management of chronic pain conditions. There has been a tremendous amount of research dictating the effectiveness of alternative therapies for chronic pain management. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive evidence-based update of alternative therapy used for the management of chronic pain conditions.

Bibliometric Evaluation of Global Tai Chi Research from 1980–2020

“…In the past four decades, a growing number of studies focusing on the health benefits of Tai Chi in various chronic diseases has been widely reported. Some systematic reviews have investigated the effectiveness on Tai Chi in a variety of problems and diseases, such as postural control and fall prevention [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], musculoskeletal disorders [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], cardiovascular and respiratory conditions [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ], and psychological problems [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. However, few have engaged in collecting global data, estimating the developing trends, and conducting reviews from the perspective of systematic visualization and bibliometric analysis.…”

Comparison of efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative therapies for primary trigeminal neuralgia

“…Hence, in recent years, people have paid more and more attention to the supplementary therapies and replacement therapies for PTN. [ 24 ] Complementary and alternative therapies commonly used include Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, acupoint injection, psychotherapy, etc. Studies have found that these therapies can play a critical role in improving the symptoms of PTN, reducing the degree of pain and recurrence rate, and having fewer side effects.…”

“…Studies have found that these therapies can play a critical role in improving the symptoms of PTN, reducing the degree of pain and recurrence rate, and having fewer side effects. [ 24 – 26 ] For example, TCM contains a variety of ingredients, which can effectively target different pathological mechanisms involved in pain and have significant analgesic effects. [ 23 , 27 , 28 ] Recently, acupuncture has also been recognized by more and more people, and the effectiveness and safety of it have been increasingly verified.…”

Understanding the diagnoses and medical care experience of patients with new daily persistent headache: a qualitative study in Spain

“…66 The presence of numerous studies and clinical trials on the effect and efficacy of non-pharmacological therapies for pain (whether or not they belong to complementary or alternative therapies) supports the need to have an updated and continuous knowledge about these therapies. [67][68][69][70] In this regard, professionals should play a relevant role in the dissemination of effective therapies against headache and chronic pain. 70 Finally, our results reveal how unexpected results were obtained.…”