Conservative Treatments

Feel better and move more easily through physical therapy. We offer one-on-one and group therapy sessions. You also may benefit from gentle, hands-on manipulation or massage that can ease muscle stiffness and weakness that contributes to pain.

Before trying physical therapy, your doctor may recommend pain-relieving injections or other treatments. This can provide immediate pain relief, while physical therapy teaches you exercises for long-term pain management.

Depending on your needs, we may recommend one of the following therapies:

• Biofeedback—Biofeedback helps you learn how to relax specific muscles. A therapist places sensors on your skin to show you muscle movement, brain waves, heart rate and more. You’ll work to control your body’s activity as you watch results in real-time.
• Chiropractic Care—A chiropractor uses hands-on techniques to realign joints or vertebrae that slip out of place. This can relieve pain and discomfort.
• Dry Needling—This therapy uses a tiny, thin needle to cause a brief muscle spasm in the area of your pain. The spasm can cause your muscles to relax and relieve pain.

Physical and psychological pain often occur together. If you experience behavioral health concerns such as depression, anxiety, relationship challenges or substance abuse, turn to our caring counselors and psychiatrists for guidance.

During confidential, one-on-one therapy sessions, you’ll develop tools and strategies to:

• Improve your mood
• Cope with pain in healthy ways
• Communicate with friends and family about your condition
• Manage stress

Consider group therapy that provides peer support and opportunities to build friendships. UNM hosts several support groups for those living with painful conditions—we encourage you to join.

Medications can make you temporarily feel less pain. To help you get the most benefit from medications, our pharmacist may:

• Adjust doses or prescriptions, if necessary
• Check for medication allergies
• Discuss side effects
• Order lab tests, when appropriate
• Thoroughly review your current prescriptions

Your doctor may prescribe pain-relieving opioid medications if other therapies haven’t helped. While these medications are considered safe when used as directed, we’ll provide naloxone with your prescription to treat a possible overdose. UNM Pain Center is one of the only facilities in the country to help ensure your safety by taking this precaution.