Complementary Therapies for Chronic Pain

The complexities of pain

Fibromyalgia, arthritis, herniated discs—the list of chronic conditions is varied and long. Without effective treatment, the pain associated with these conditions can affect many aspects of life, including work, social functions, and family life.

The complex nature of chronic pain often demands a multifaceted approach to treatment. By exploring and combining alternative treatments with traditional ones, we can create a personalized path toward greater comfort, balance, and overall wellness.

“Alternative therapies have a holistic lens rather than just pinpointing symptoms, which can lead to the support of the well-being of the whole—mind, body, and spirit,” explains Lyn Sakari, a certified sound ceremonialist and meditation teacher.

The need for a new approach

While conventional medicine provides essential tools—medications, surgical interventions, counselling—they often aren’t enough to fully address pain. Shireen Mistry, kinesiologist and clinical services lead at painPRO Clinics, says that “in today’s medical system, we are often focused on chasing symptoms rather than identifying the root cause [of].”

Alternative therapies can offer ways to manage symptoms and restore a sense of control over your body―to complement conventional methods, rather than replacing them. “Collectively, alternative therapies can reduce the dependence on medication, provide a personalized approach depending on the individual’s needs, [and] provide education,” says Mistry.

Alternative pain relief options

Each of the following methods helped me while I struggled with pain. If you or someone you know suffers with pain, integrating these alternative approaches into a broader pain management strategy, may also empower them to actively participate in their healing journey.

TENS

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) provides a mild electrical current to the nerves. It’s thought that this offers pain relief by blocking or altering the perception of pain and raising the body’s endorphin level. In a 2022 review in , researchers concluded that TENS “may have efficacy for a variety of acute and chronic pain conditions.”

“The goal of a TENS unit is to interrupt pain signals between the brain and the affected area,” says Mistry. This is an at-home therapy that can be purchased online or in local health retailers and drug stores.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback provides health metrics based on bodily functions and signals. “Biofeedback works by targeting neural pathways that may not be functioning optimally,” says Mistry, “helping the brain rewire itself for better regulation and healing.”

Biofeedback can be administered by a practitioner or by you at home. Thermometers and blood pressure machines are examples of simple, at-home biofeedback devices. More complex ones require a practitioner to administer. These include the following:

• electroencephalographs (EEGs) to monitor brain waves
• electrocardiograms (ECGs or EKGs) to monitor heart rate and variability
• electromyographs (EMGs) to monitor muscle tightening

By incorporating biofeedback into a pain management routine, we can train the nervous system to respond differently to pain, reducing its intensity over time.

Sound therapy

Used to influence a person’s physiological and psychological states, sound therapy is thought to help recalibrate the brain’s perception of pain and discomfort, and promote relaxation. Sakari explains that sound therapy may offer “respite, with sound as an anchor to focus one’s attention.”

“The benefits can be tremendous,” says Sakari, “including feeling relaxed, enhancing sleep quality, improving circulation, reducing muscle tension, and feeling a sense of timelessness and relief from pain, all the while strengthening resilience and mental clarity.” Sound therapy can be administered by a practitioner, for example at a sound bath session, or at home.

Examples of sound therapy can include the following:

• chimes
• singing bowls
• chanting
• drumming
• music

Other excellent modalities

Beyond just pain relief, alternative therapies can foster a deeper connection between the mind and the body—encouraging resilience, self-awareness, and acceptance. Other complementary alternative therapies that I’ve found extremely helpful include acupuncture, massage therapy, and meditation.

In the end, I needed a complex surgery in order to begin my recovery from chronic pain. I know this isn’t always an option for others and that those afflicted with pain can suffer in silence for far too long. I’am fortunate to be on my healing journey now, although I still struggle with pain from time to time.

Although it may be an ongoing challenge, with a holistic approach that embraces both modern medicine and alternative healing, I’m able to shift my focus from pain to self-care and from limitation to possibility.

“The mind, body, and spirit are all interconnected,” explains Sakari. “What affects the physical, affects the emotional. When you understand how to work with the qualities of the mind and heart, it can be quite transformational indeed.”

This article was originally published in the July 2025 issue of alive magazine.