Almost every adult’s daily life isn’t complete without pain and stress. Whether you have a desk job or a more laborious one, you’ll always end the day with some form of pain, the most common being lower back pain. And of course, no job is stress-free, so getting cranky in the middle of the day or throughout the day is nothing new to all of us.
For those reasons, we can’t help but seek temporary comforts from wellness centers, dining establishments, resorts, or shopping malls. Some people also cope through drinking and smoking, despite its adverse health effects. But no amount of vices, guilty pleasures and impulse buying can relieve our aches and stress for the long term, with the possible exemption of wellness treatments.
If you’re looking for a treatment that will rid you of stress and pain while giving you a unique experience, look no further; these are the unusual and bizarre forms of therapies you should try at least once:
1. Chiropractic Therapy
While neither unusual nor bizarre, chiropractic therapy can be intriguing and intimidating to some. After all, it involves cracking your bones, which feel painful to watch.
But a professional and experienced chiropractor won’t crack your bones to hurt you. Instead, they will use hands-on spinal manipulation and other alternative treatments to relieve different kinds of pain, including whiplash, lower back pain, headache, and muscle strains. The theory of chiropractic therapy is that when your body’s musculoskeletal structure is appropriately aligned, particularly the spine, your body will be able to heal itself without medication or surgery.
2. Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy, a.k.a. hypnosis, may draw skepticism from many, considering that we typically see it performed in movies or TV shows only. But there’s a professional hypnotherapist who can hypnotize your pain away in a therapeutic setting.
In a study made by Dr. Guy Montgomery, a psychologist at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, he found that hypnotherapy was effective on breast cancer patients, who reported feeling less distressed and needing fewer painkillers after being hypnotized.
Contrary to what we see on movies and TV, real hypnosis doesn’t involve strange incantations or feeling something imaginary. Instead, a therapist will put you in a suggestible state, which helps you internalize and visualize strategies for change. It’s more scientific than mystical.
3. Spider Venom
If you’re not arachnophobic, spider venom therapy might be worth a try in the future. Scientists discovered that there seven compounds in a tarantula’s venom that block a crucial step in the body’s pain process. The venom that paralyzes a tarantula’s prey can supposedly turn off the body’s sodium channel, which transmits pain signals to the brain. However, don’t go seeking it out from hospitals yet, because scientists still need to figure out how to use tarantula venom on humans safely.
4. Acupuncture
In Asia, particularly in China, acupuncture is a popular form of therapy and has been widely used as a traditional form of healing since 2,500 years ago. The World Health Organization currently recognizes it as an effective treatment for over 30 diseases and conditions. But it is commonly used for pain relief.
Acupuncture needles are targeted at “acupoints” near our nerves, which, when stimulated, will cause a dull ache or a sensation of fullness in the muscle. The stimulated muscle will then send signals to the brain, causing the release of endorphins that can prevent pain signals from being wired to the brain.
5. Creative Arts Therapy
If you’re having trouble expressing your emotions through words, creative arts therapy might be right for you. This therapy aims to engage the mind through various methods of creativity, such as music, dance, and poetry. It can improve cognitive and motor function, boost self-esteem and self-awareness, encourage emotional strength, build social skills, and resolve conflicts and stress.
Give any of these therapies a try if the events of this year have started taking a toll on you. After all, it’s best to welcome 2021 pain- and stress-free.