Sometimes we get so caught up in chasing after the latest and greatest that we forget about the good old tried and true.

Pain, for example, sends millions of people to doctors every year. While most of them are looking for state-of-the-art pain medication, there’s a sizeable body of research showing that one of the best pain remedies around does not come in pill form.

It’s healing touch, ranging from simple massage to acupuncture to high-tech versions of ancient systems. All these methods have long track records of success, because they provide benefits you’ll never get from medication.

Sometimes called bodywork, massage manipulates the muscles and soft tissues throughout the body. We tend to think of massage as an indulgence, a luxurious treat that helps with relaxation.

The truth is, massage is much more than that. Yes, it will leave you so relaxed you’ll feel like a limp noodle and sleep like a baby.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

Remember, as much as 90 percent of all diseases are stress-related. When you’re stressed, you age faster and are more vulnerable to illness.

Given the stressful world we live in, anything we can do to de-stress is well worth it. That’s why I don’t consider massage a luxury, but a necessity.

Massage For Pain Relief

Massage reduces your heart rate and blood pressure, calms inflammation by boosting lymph circulation, stimulates blood flow through muscles, eases tight muscles, reduces scar tissue, and encourages sinus drainage.

Meanwhile, massage boosts levels of your body’s own “feel good” chemicals, pain relievers like endorphins and serotonin. Pain from injuries, muscle spasms, and even headaches can be massaged away and replaced with a steady supply of energy for days afterward.

In other words, massage provides health benefits you’ll never get from any pill. I consider massage to be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen, especially if it’s practiced on a regular basis.

And massage isn’t the only form of bodywork you can benefit from. In fact, there’s an exciting new tool available that you should know about.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a centuries-old healing method that uses very slender needles to stimulate certain points in the body. It’s a drug-free method of treating all types of pain and illness.

Both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) agree that acupuncture works for many common health problems, including stress. And the U.S. Air Force treats everything from battlefield wounds to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with acupuncture.

Does Acupuncture Really Works?

Clinical trials consistently show that acupuncture works, particularly for pain relief. A German study, for example, compared the results for back-pain patients receiving acupuncture with others who were given physical therapy, exercise, and medication.

After five weeks, nearly half of the acupuncture patients experienced pain relief, while only about one-fourth of the other treatments worked.

Acupuncture is generally painless, although you may feel a pinch when the needle enters your skin. A session usually lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

AcuPhoton Therapy

Now there’s a new kid in town. AcuPhoton therapy is a revolutionary new technique that I recommend to patients who have soft tissue injuries or arthritis and similar conditions.

AcuPhoton therapy combines acupuncture and photon therapy (a photon is a skin-penetrating wave of light) in a safe, effective, non-invasive treatment for pain.

Individually, acupuncture and photon therapy both have excellent track records when it comes to healing. But combining the two creates a highly effective synergy that’s more beneficial than either procedure on its own.

Photon therapy uses an infrared scan to identify areas of poor circulation and inflammation. Those areas are then the focus of the AcuPhoton treatment.

AcuPhoton therapy enhances both blood and lymph circulation. This breaks the cycle of painful inflammation, allowing the body to heal itself. Photons also stimulate the immune system, resulting in quicker repair of damaged cells and tissue.

I recommend AcuPhoton therapy to patients suffering from everything from the after-effects of automobile accidents, like whiplash, to headaches to post-operative pain.

After seeing the beneficial results in hundreds of patients, I suggest you take advantage of at least one of these therapies each week. You’ll find you’re less stressed, have more energy, sleep better, and have improved focus and concentration after a massage, acupuncture, or other treatment involving healing touch.

Last Updated: August 3, 2021
Originally Published: September 24, 2014