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Readers Respond: Have You Ever Used CAMs for Your Pain?

Responses: 3

From , former About.com Guide

Updated June 25, 2009

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Acupuncture, yoga, herbal remedies: there are hundreds of complimentary and alternative medications (CAMs) and treatments out there for chronic pain. A great way to research CAMs is to find out if they worked for other people.

Tell us your story! Have you ever tried CAMs for chronic pain? What did you try, and did it work? Share Your Experience

Guided Imagery

Interactive Guided Imagery has almost completely wiped out my severe sinus headaches. When I do get pain, I use my tools and the pain eases within an hour or so. I used to have pain so bad that I had to wait until the next morning to experience relief.
—Guest nancy

Supplements, acupuncture, etc.

For my fibromyalgia and chronic myofascial pain, I take a lot of supplements and have used acupuncture, cupping, massage and physical therapy. For me, supplements and acupuncture are the most important. I'm highly prone to side effects from medications, so I rely almost entirely on CAM to manage my conditions, and with them I've gone from fully disabled to about 85% functional.
—Adrienne110

Cherry Juice For Inflammation

After suffering from three severely pinched nerves for well over a year due to arthritis of the spinal facets I was willing to try almost anything and did! I cannot take any anti-inflammatory drugs so tried magnetic insoles, which did nothing. Later, a friend mentioned an article she saw in the Arthritis Foundation Newsletter. The instructions said to drink one full quart the first day and then eight ounces per day after that. It worked! I've heard from others that it also worked for them and the worst that can happen if it doesn't work for you is that you're out $3.00 for a bottle of juice. If you're suffering from any type of chronic pain due to inflammation it's certainly worth a try.
—Janisko1

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Have You Ever Used CAMs for Your Pain?

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