4 Alternative therapies for pain management

Chronic pain affects millions of individuals annually. According to the CDC's 2021 report, more than 20% of adults in the United States experience chronic pain. This impacts nearly 52 million individuals (about twice the population of Texas) in their daily lives. Reliance on opioids and medication for chronic pain management has further complicated an already challenging health issue.

Alternative pain therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic care, physical/occupational therapy, and yoga offer different approaches to managing pain and promoting healing. Here’s a brief overview of each:

1. Acupuncture: Drawing from traditional Chinese healing practices, acupuncture uses delicate needles to target specific points on the body. This stimulates nerves, muscles, and connective tissue. By triggering the release of pain-relieving endorphins, this therapy promotes the body's natural healing abilities. Acupuncture is growing in popularity around the globe, and for good reason. Research has shown that acupuncture can help with back and neck pain, knee pain associated with osteoarthritis, and postoperative pain.
   
   
2. Chiropractic care: Specializing in spinal and musculoskeletal health, chiropractors make adjustments to enhance alignment and alleviate discomfort. This helps optimize overall functionality in the body. Through this approach, chiropractors harness the body's capacity to self-heal without resorting to invasive procedures or medications. It’s estimated that one million chiropractic adjustments are performed every day across the country. Studies of chiropractic adjustments have shown some improvement of pain associated with the lower back, shoulder, and neck.
   
   
3. Physical or occupational therapy: These therapies include exercises, stretches, and methodologies designed to enhance physical capabilities and alleviate pain. While physical therapy concentrates on mobility and strength post-injury or surgery, occupational therapy empowers individuals to navigate daily tasks with increased independence.
   
   
4. Yoga: Combining physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, yoga has been used for centuries to promote physical and mental well-being. According to the CDC, about 17% of adults in the U.S. practice yoga. More than a quarter of those individuals said they were using yoga to treat and manage pain. Studies have shown yoga is useful in providing relief for neck and back pain as well as pain associated with fibromyalgia.

Each therapy has its own benefits and may be better suited for specific conditions. Talk to your care team to determine the best treatment plan for individual needs and conditions.

If you’re a Mass General Brigham Health Plan member, you can access alternative treatments for pain management. For example:

• Care Complement

Mass General Brigham Health Plan’s Care Complement gives members the flexibility to try alternatives to opioid painkillers and new treatments for managing chronic conditions. With Care Complement, a member’s first six acupuncture, chiropractor, physical therapy, or occupational therapy visits are covered at no additional cost. Members with Care Complement in their plan name have access to this suite of additional benefits.

Members can learn more about their plan benefits by visiting the member portal or by calling the number on the back of their member ID card.

• Care Management

All Mass General Brigham Health Plan members can connect with our Care Management team to discuss options for pain management. Care Management is led by nurse care managers who work with a variety of specialists, like social workers and health coaches. This team collaborates with a member’s primary care provider to offer tools and resources needed to manage pain associated with arthritis and injuries. Care Management is available to all our members at no additional cost.

Members can call Care Management at the number on the back of their member ID card or send an email to HealthPlanProvidersService@mgb.org

• Fitness reimbursement

The fitness reimbursement benefit includes yoga, aerobic exercise studios (Pilates, yoga, yoga, Zumba, etc.), and virtual fitness subscriptions.

Learn more about the fitness reimbursement benefit on our member resources & forms page.

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