Book review: Holistic Pain relief by Leon Chaitow
In this book, Leon Chaitow describes a wide range of approaches to pain-relief without medications. Although the author seems to be quite anti-medication, this book is ideal for those who are looking to use alternative, holistic methods to control their pain alongside western medications.
The book is divided into three parts: Part One is on pain, our perception of it and how to get to grips with it; Part Two is on pain relief and how to achieve it; and Part Three lists options for specific conditions.
Although the book was first published (as The Book of Pain Relief) in 1993, it still feels up-to-date. The information on what pain is, how we feel it and how our body’s own mechanisms can be exploited to treat pain is an extremely good introduction to those interested in the medical and psychological whys and hows of pain.
The book discusses a wide variety of pain relief methods, including old-fashioned remedies such as mustard baths, poultices and fomentations. It discusses each therapy in detail with instructions and diagrams where suitable so that you can use the technique yourself straight away. It covers:
· Nutritional control of inflammation.
· Counter-irritation methods such as acupuncture and TENS.
· Stress reduction.
· Manipulative techniques for muscles and joints including a large section on trigger points and suggestions for self-massage
· Hydrotherapy.
· Natural medicines.
· Healing, therapeutic Touch and placebo power.
I found the book extremely useful and in-depth. Despite having learnt many self-help and alternative medicine techniques before, I learnt alot from this book – far more than I expected to. It is an excellent resource to keep by you for reference when needed and can also help partners who wish to help with pain-relief.
Article submitted by: Lindsey Middlemiss , ButYouDontLookSick.com, © 2006
Title: Holistic Pain relief
Author: Leon Chaitow
ISBN: 0722534361
Publisher: HarperCollins
