There are several reasons to add appropriate integrative therapies to your pain treatment plan. Some of them include:

• To have more control. When you hurt, you want to take action. If your only source of pain relief is a prescription medication, however, the only action you can take is to wait for the next dose. Integrative therapies give you more strategies for pain relief, and they can be available when you need them.

• To help manage the side effects of your pain medications. Prescription pain relievers are often accompanied by side effects, such as drowsiness, nausea, or constipation. Integrative therapies can help alleviate side effects.

• To address issues related to your pain. Pain will frequently affect your mood and leave you feeling tense and tired. Integrative therapies can help you reverse those undesirable outcomes.

• Your health care professional recommends them. Many health care professionals are now combining integrative therapies with conventional medical therapies.