Chronic Pain Management
Call us at 613-761-6060
or Book Online!
Chronic pain management
Chronic pain is a gradual, ongoing, and recurrent pain that lasts over a few months. Chronic pain can be significant enough to impair life and work activities. It can affect us emotionally, socially, physically, mentally, financially, and so on. Chronic pain can affect all parts of the body and can lead to depression and social isolation. While there isn’t always a cure for chronic pain, at Natural Skin & Sole Wellness Clinic, we believe the most effective approach is pain management through a combination of therapies and lifestyle changes. Please remember that the journey to healing and wellness is a unique one, and that patience is a virtue.
How common is chronic pain?
Chronic pain is a very common condition, as it affects over 1 out of 5 Canadians. Common types of chronic pain include, but not limited to:
- Arthritis and other joint pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Back and hip pain
- Cancer related pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Post surgery pain
- Neurogenic pain (nerve damages, neuropathy, etc.)
- Leg and foot pain
- Endometriosis
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Sciatica
- Stenosis
- Traumatic Injury
No matter the pain, long term pain can seriously affect day-to-day activities and performance. When the pain aggravates, it can affect our sleep, appetite, mood, behavior, concentration, and mobility. Pain is a complex phenomenon as it has both physical and psychological components that are unique to every individual. No two people will feel pain the same way, and therefore no two people can manage pain the same way. Many chronic pain conditions have no cure, and therefore managing the pain becomes an important factor. At Natural Skin & Sole Wellness Clinic, we offer different pain management alternatives to help manage pain that includes a comprehensive treatment plan that will address the factors that can contribute to your pain. Our health and wellness professionals work together to tailor to your individual needs. Studies show that a combination of therapies can offer positive outcomes.
Our pain management goals:
- Offer you a surgery free and drug free approach to pain management
- Improve your mobility and movement as much possible
- Help you maintain your quality of life so you can keep doing the things you love to do
- Reduce the risk of pain related symptoms
- Value the importance of preventive care and maintenance care
Our alternative treatments
We pride ourselves in offering alternative therapies to pain management. We recommend you discuss any treatments with your primary health care provider. Although many studies show the benefits of alternative therapies for chronic pain management, not all therapies are suitable for everyone. What works for one individual may not work for another. Below are some of the therapies we offer here at our clinic in Ottawa:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that uses very thin needles inserted into the superficial layers of the skin to stimulate specific points in the body. This allows to reduce certain symptoms such as inflammation and pain. In Chinese medicine, practitioners believe that when the energy that flows the body (the Qi) is disrupted, it can create an imbalance and lead to illness. Acupuncture aims to rebalance the Qi with needles through the acupuncture points (along the meridians). The insertion of needles in the acupuncture points allows the body to respond to the illness, rebalance the body and help release natural chemicals in the brain such as endorphins. Endorphins are known to be the body’s natural painkillers, and because of this chemical reaction, acupuncture is known to have calming effects on the individual. The number of treatments depends on your condition, and how your body responds to natural healing. Your acupuncturist will recommend a treatment schedule that is right for you.
BioFlex Laser Therapy (Cold Laser Therapy)
Bioflex Laser Therapy uses red and infrared light to penetrate deep into the body’s tissues in order to stimulate a healing response at a cellular level. Light therapy lasers trigger a cascade of physiological reactions within the body’s cell enhancing the body’s immune system. The therapeutic responses that have been observed with Bioflex Laser Therapy are: increased oxygenated blood to the injured site, tissue healing, collagen production, repair of damaged muscle fibers, activation of cells leading to muscle regeneration, reducing edema, nerve regeneration, and improved cartilage production and joint function. With such ability to promote natural healing, Bioflex Laser Therapy is a non-invasive modality to use for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, wound healing, dermatological conditions, and neuromuscular conditions. Total number sessions are usually determined during the initial consultation.
Craniosacral Therapy (CST)
Craniosacral therapy is a light touch therapy performed by our Registered Massage Therapist here at Natural Skin & Sole Wellness Clinic. The craniosacral system consists of membranes and fluids nourishing and protecting the brain and spinal cord. CST uses a gentle pressure technique on the head, neck, shoulders and back to relieve stress and pain that can be caused by compression and “blockages” that can disturb the normal flow of the cerebrospinal fluid. It’s also thought to restore cranial mobility, and ease tension on the head, neck, and surrounding nerves. CST is non-invasive and can help alleviate a series of dysfunctions such as chronic pain and neurological impairments. CST can be part of your treatment for conditions like headaches, migraines, sinus pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, TMJ dysfunction, trauma recovery, concussion, whiplash, difficult birth, and labors, just to name a few. Our therapist will conduct an assessment to determine how CST can help you.
Medical foot care clinic
Your feet are your body’s foundation. It is essential include foot care as part of your wellness journey. Your quality of life is directly linked to your ability to be mobile and independent. If you suffer from foot and lower-limb related problems, you will not be able to function at your best. No matter your daily routine, poor foot health can affect you at every level. When the body’s foundation is not solid, the rest of the structure can become unstable; foot pain can shift the way we walk and cause stress on the knees, hips, and spine. Our Registered Foot Care Nurse knows that foot care can be a challenge for many, and this is what inspired her to offer a holistic and comprehensive approach to foot health. Our appointments include medical pedicure treatments, footwear assessment, orthotic therapy, compression therapy assessments, and preventive care strategies. Leave your feet in our nurse’s caring hands!
Custom Orthotic Therapy
Living with chronic lower limb and foot pain can impact your daily activities. Custom orthotic therapy can help minimize the unwanted effects of a wide range of biomechanical foot issues, including problems with how you stand, walk, or run. Custom orthotics are shoe inserts that are specially designed to help you with your balance, mobility, gait, and pressure redistribution throughout the foot and ankle. Our custom orthotics can also help relieve the symptoms of foot pain related conditions such as arthritis, plantar fasciitis, bunions, diabetes, flat feet, metatarsalgia, leg fatigue, and much more. Overall, custom orthotics can be used to help with pain management, as well as help prevent further complications such as stress and strains on the body which can lead to injuries. We offer thorough assessments and a gait scan analysis to see if custom orthotics are right for you.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a therapeutic technique that can play part in pain therapy. The practitioner applies pressure to specific areas of the hands and feet, and this may stimulate the nerve endings in these areas. The pressure applied during reflexology can trigger a physiological response in the body including in the central nervous system. In addition to offering stress reduction and promoting relaxation, reflexology can help with chronic pain relief. Various organs are represented by reflex points of the feet, hands, and ears. Just like in traditional Chinese Medicine, reflexology is based on the concept that stimulating these reflex points can improve energy flow and release blockages through the body. Encouraging relaxation can help the body heal naturally or better manage chronic pain symptoms.
Therapeutic Massage
Massage Therapy may relieve pain and promote relaxation through different techniques and methods. Our Registered Massage Therapists are trained to press and manipulate the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints to allow the relief of pain and stress. Although most people may think that Massage Therapy is a modern luxury trend, the history of massage began about 5000 years ago and has been part of the traditional holistic and natural healing method ever since. Massage therapy can be relaxing, restoring and rehabilitative. Moreover, massage therapy can help reduce and relieve pain, as well as stress and anxiety. Therapeutic massages can involve a varying degree of pressure, and it is important to communicate with your therapist the type of touch you prefer (light, firm or hard pressure). At our centre, we offer a variety of modalities from relaxation massage to deep tissue, hot stone massage, aromatherapy, myofascial release therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, chair massage, children massage, pregnancy and post-partum massage, and customized therapies.
Make an appointment today!
If you’re experience chronic pain, we can help. Pain may appear invisible, but you are not. We see you and we can help you. We are committed to delivering the highest quality of holistic care. Call us today at 613-761-6060 to speak to a member of our team. Your wellness journey from Soul to Sole starts here.
Call us at 613-761-6060
or Book Online!
Purchase an E-Gift Card
Give the Gift of Wellness to a Loved One
Natural Skin & Sole Wellness Clinic gift cards are the perfect gift for any occasion!