Last night I attended the Scoliosis Support Group Meeting at Northwestern where Dr Melinda Ring spoke about the categories of integrative medicine and the role it can play in health and recovery. Integrative medicine by definition is a holistic, “whole-person” approach to health care that integrates complementary therapies with conventional medical care. Integrative medicine focus on treating not only the body, but also the mind and spirit, drawing on a wide range of different healing modalities to maximize each person’s ability to return to full health.
For more information about the different types of treatments and about the Center for Integrative Medicine, click here.
I have used nutritional supplements and diet, massage, chiropractic, pilates, yoga, reiki, prayer and meditation, guided imagery, energy work, and recently muscle activation technique (MAT).
Massage therapy is the one I use most frequently and have found I need at least 1 per month. Muscle Activation Technique is something new that I tried this year and I had great results. Chiropractic I found works well when I am having stiffness in my neck where my fusion starts. Reiki I used only after my surgery when I was able to have massages and incorporated it into my massage sessions. I felt it helped my healing emotionally and physically at them time. Nutrition, supplements, prayer and meditation I still use for my everyday life and not exclusively for managing back pain and health.
Please post any success or difficulty you have had with integrative medicine or alternative medicine in dealing with your back pain. Thanks!
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