Feeling stressed or in pain? Alternative treatments can help

Acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy are hundre ds and thousands of years old, and are meeting a need for flexible and non-invasive therapy for chronic pain, stress and more today.

Dr. LuAnn Chen, senior medical director at Community Health Plan of Washington, has answers to some common questions about these treatments and things to know when scheduling an appointment.

What are acupuncture, chiropractic care and massage therapy?

Are these treatments effective? After I’ve started seeking care with one of these treatments, how do I know if it’s working?

For many people, these treatments have been valued as part of their culture for thousands of years and they consider these therapies an effective part of their routine well-being. I do recommend talking to your medical provider or your primary care provider if you are already seeing them about a particular condition. They may have some recommendations for you to consider.

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