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Discogenic Pain – Alternative Treatments

Discogenic pain typically can be managed using several nonsurgical methods, including a variety of alternative treatments. Discogenic refers to problems with the spine’s intervertebral discs, which are sponge-like cushions located between vertebrae. These cartilaginous bodies tend to break down through normal wear and tear, which can lead to nerve inflammation and compression symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness. Pain medication, physical therapy, exercise, and other conservative treatments usually are the first steps toward mitigating these symptoms, but you might also explore biologically based therapies, alternative medicine systems, manipulative and body-based methods, energy therapies, or mind-body interventions.

What are Mind-Body Interventions?

The United States National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine defines mind-body interventions as techniques that are designed to facilitate the mind’s ability to affect bodily function and symptoms, such as those symptoms associated with discogenic pain. Alternative treatments that are related to this classification of alternative medicine include hypnosis, aromatherapy, meditation, prayer, art therapy, music therapy, dance therapy, and others. Two of the most popular mind-body intervention techniques are:

• Biofeedback – This is a type of relaxation training, based on learned behavior modification. It seeks to address chronic pain by attempting to teach conscious control of physiological reactions such as muscle tension, body temperature, heart rate, and brain wave activity. Mental and physical exercises, visualization, and deep breathing are utilized.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy – This is a form of psychotherapy based on the belief that thoughts cause feelings and behaviors, rather than external factors such as other people, situations, events, and our environment.

When Discogenic Pain Won’t Go Away

Alternative treatments and mainstream conservative treatments such as pain medication and exercise are not always enough to manage nerve compression symptoms associated with intervertebral disc degeneration. If you still seek relief, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn how a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed using advanced, endoscopic techniques may help you rediscover your life without back and neck pain.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.