Alternative health: yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and more
In-depth information on alternative health treatments like acupuncture and massage therapy as well as back exercises such as yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi for neck pain and low back pain

Manual physical therapy for pain relief
January 13, 2006
Sometimes called “hands-on physical therapy”, manual physical therapy uses no devices or machines. With this technique, therapists use only their hands to reduce back muscle tension and restore mobility to stiff joints in an effort to allow the patient more natural movement and pain relief. Read more...
By: Robert J. Daul, MPT

What is the McKenzie Method for back pain and neck pain?
November 14, 2005
The McKenzie Method is an overall philosophy of physical therapy and exercise that "centralizes" a patient's pain into the back, away from the legs and arms, and then teaches patients self-healing techniques, including exercise, for managing their own back pain or neck pain long-term. Read more...
By: Vert Mooney, MD

More spinal arthritis treatments
May 25, 2005
It is important to get an accurate diagnosis and find the best treatments for pain from spinal arthritis. Some patients find relief from a combination of conservative (including alternative) treatments, such as manipulation, massage therapy, relaxation, TENS, acupuncture, support devices, weight control, and healthy lifestyle choices. Read more...
By: Vert Mooney, MD

Exercise for spinal arthritis
May 25, 2005
For spinal arthritis sufferers, exercise is thought to be the most effective non-drug treatment for reducing pain and improving movement. The exercises need to be done correctly to avoid causing joint pain. Specific exercises should focus on strengthening the muscles around the joints, improving joint mobility and reducing joint stiffness and pain. Read more...
By: Vert Mooney, MD

Effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for osteoarthritis (Research article)
April 19, 2005
Although there is not yet a proven treatment to stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate nutritional supplements may provide a viable alternative for some patients. An FDA study on the effects and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin dietary supplements is currently underway, and many physicians support their use because of the low incidence of serious side effects (compared to other medications, such as COX-2 inhibitors and other NSAIDs). Read more...
By: Thomas E. Hyde, DC

Tai Chi for posture and back pain
February 19, 2004
Tai Chi involves slow, deliberate, flowing movement of the body (no jarring motions that create impact on the spine) along with a focus on breathing, all carried out with particular mental focus. This combination is why Tai Chi is referred to as "meditation in motion" and can be an ideal exercise for people with back pain. Read more...
By: Robert Humphreys, DC

Acupuncture: an ancient treatment for a current problem
February 5, 2004
Acupuncture, an alternative health treatment, is understood to stimulate the central nervous system—the brain and spinal cord - which in turn releases pain-relieving chemicals that occur naturally in the body. People with back pain often report a tingling sensation, feeling relaxed or even energized with acupuncture treatments. Read more...
By: Paulo Zanardi, AP

Healing benefits of yoga for back pain
January 27, 2004
Among other things, yoga helps ease lower back pain by gently stretching and strengthening the muscles of the lower back and legs and increasing blood circulation, which in turn brings healing nutrients to the injured tissues.  For many, yoga as an alternative health treatment has proven to be a safe and effective way to alleviate many forms of low back pain or neck pain. Read more...
By: Fred Busch

Yoga for back problems
December 2, 2003
Researchers have become interested in studying the effects of yoga on treating disease, and studies are encouraging that yoga can be a useful part of the treatment plan for many medical conditions. Studies have shown that those who practice yoga for as little as twice a week for 8 weeks make significant gains in strength, flexibility, and endurance, which is a basic goal of most rehabilitation programs for neck or back problems. Read more...
By: Karen P. Barr, MD

Pilates exercise system to promote back health
March 21, 2003
Pilates is an exercise program that can help alleviate and prevent future episodes of back pain. In particular, Pilates helps with learning awareness of neutral alignment of the spine and strengthening the deep postural muscles that support this alignment are important skills for back pain patients. Read more...
By: Beth Glosten, MD, Certified Pilates Instructor

Massage therapy for back pain
May 10, 2002
The use of massage therapy for back pain has more than doubled in recent years. In addition to its positive affects on muscle relaxation, one of the greatest benefits of massage therapy as an alternative health treatment is the release of endorphins, which can be quite helpful in managing chronic back pain. Read more...
By: Beth Mueller, RMT

All about chiropractic treatments
September 12, 1999 (Updated June 21, 2001)
Since the inception of chiropractic medicine in 1895, chiropractors have held as a primary tenet that biomechanical and structural derangement of the spine can affect the nervous system.  Read all about chiropractics, chiropractors, the role of the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), what happens when the spine is "adjusted," different therapies and chiropractic educational requirements. Read more...
By: Steven G. Yeomans, DC

Osteoarthritis treatments - Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements
November 28, 2000
For patients who have evidence of osteoarthritis in their spine (as seen on an x-ray) and who have had other causes of back pain and neck pain ruled out by their health care provider, glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate may be a treatment option. Read more...
By: Christopher D. Chaput, MD

Back-to-Back: Using back exercise for back pain relief
Read other patients’ helpful advice about using back exercise (such as walking, an exercise bike, water therapy, physical therapy and yoga) for back pain relief or recovery from back surgery. Then, submit your own response! Read more...

Exercise for better back health - op90.com Newsletter
There is a wide range of back problems - from simple back strain to serious injury - but the one thing almost all of them have in common is that part of the cure involves exercise. A good exercise routine, using gentle therapies such as walking or water therapy, is important on an ongoing basis to reduce the chances of recurring pain. Read more...

Please note that these additional patient resources (such as The Back-to-Back Forum and Newsletters) on op90.com are not peer-reviewed by the op90.com Medical Advisory Board. They are provided as additional resources for patients to learn from each others’ experiences and to gain information from our popular newsletters.