Figure 1: Alternative pain therapies are less symptom-focused than conventional medical approaches and instead view the body as a complex integrated system.
Anyone suffering from acute or chronic pain knows how strongly it can affect daily life and reduce quality of life. In addition to painkillers and other conventional medical treatments, there are also alternative approaches that aim to relieve symptoms as holistically as possible. Among the best-known methods are acupuncture, acupressure and neural therapy. In this blog article we introduce these three alternative pain therapies in more detail. You will learn the principles on which each method is based, the conditions for which they are typically used, and the main differences between them. We also look at the current evidence base and discuss who might particularly benefit from each method.
Conventional medical approaches to pain management and their limitations
Figure 2: For many people with chronic pain, a combination of conventional and alternative pain management approaches is the key to long-term relief.
Conventional pain management methods primarily aim to relieve existing pain and restore physical function as far as possible. Depending on the cause and type of symptoms, different treatment approaches are used. Painkillers such as anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. NSAIDs), muscle relaxants or – for severe pain – opioids are prescribed particularly frequently. Physiotherapy, exercise therapy, injections or surgical procedures can complement the treatment.
These conventional methods can be effective, especially for acute pain. However, purely symptom-oriented approaches often reach their limits with chronic pain. Potential underlying factors such as muscle tension, stress, dysregulation of the nervous system or psychosomatic burdens are often not adequately considered by classical pain therapy. In addition, long-term use of certain analgesic medications can be associated with side effects such as gastrointestinal complaints, fatigue or – particularly with opioids – an increased risk of dependence.
Because chronic pain often arises from a complex interplay of physical, psychological and social factors, many sufferers seek complementary and holistic treatment approaches. This is precisely where alternative methods such as acupuncture, acupressure and neural therapy come in, which we present in more detail in the following section. It is important, however, not to regard these methods as a blanket replacement for conventional medical treatments. For many people with chronic pain, a personalised combination of conventional therapy, exercise, stress management and complementary approaches is likely to be most appropriate.
Acupuncture, acupressure, neural therapy: A brief profile of the alternative approaches
Figure 3: Acupuncture, acupressure and neural therapy all aim to treat pain holistically, influence disturbed regulatory processes and activate the body's self-healing powers.
Alternative pain therapies go beyond purely symptom-oriented approaches. Instead of focusing solely on short-term pain relief, the regulation of bodily processes, calming of the nervous system and activation of self-healing mechanisms also play a decisive role. Acupuncture, acupressure and neural therapy are among the best-known alternative methods, used primarily for chronic pain, tension or functional disorders. Despite some similarities, the methods differ significantly in terms of their application, mechanisms of action and theoretical foundations.
1. Acupuncture
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture has been used for several millennia. The treatment involves inserting fine needles into defined points on the body that lie along so-called meridians. The term “acupuncture” itself refers to the procedure, deriving from the Latin words “acus” (needle) and “pungere” (to prick).
According to TCM, acupuncture is intended to harmonise the flow of energy (“Qi”), dissolve blockages and activate the body's self-healing powers. During treatment the needles usually remain in place for about 20 to 30 minutes. At the same time, patients are encouraged to relax in a calm and restful environment. Modern scientific explanations suggest that, when performed correctly and professionally, acupuncture can improve circulation, influence the nervous system and support the release of the body's own pain-relieving chemicals.
Acupuncture has a wide range of applications. It is often used for chronic pain, osteoarthritis, back pain, muscle tension or migraine. Its potential benefit for cancer-related pain is also being investigated. A Chinese meta-analysis that evaluated the results of 14 randomised controlled trials received particular attention in this context.1 The researchers found evidence that acupuncture may be associated with significant pain relief in cancer patients. Several of the analysed studies also showed that combining acupuncture with conventional pain therapy could reduce the need for pain medication.
2. Acupressure
Acupressure also has its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is based on the same meridian points as classical acupuncture. Unlike acupuncture, however, no needles are used. Instead, the relevant points are stimulated by pressure, massage or circular movements to restore the flow of Qi. Each acupressure point is assigned to certain organs or body areas. Targeted stimulation of these points is said to activate the body's self-healing abilities and help symptoms in the affected areas disappear or not arise in the first place.
Acupressure can be applied therapeutically by a practitioner or performed independently as self-massage. It is often used for muscular tension, stress-related complaints, nausea, lower back pain or other mild to moderate forms of pain. As the method is non-invasive and requires no aids, it is considered particularly low-threshold and suitable for everyday use.
Because of its simple application, acupressure is especially suitable as a supportive treatment for recurring complaints. These include, for example, menstrual pain, which is estimated to affect around 50 to 90 percent of women. Evidence for possible effectiveness comes from a 2018 study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology involving 200 women aged 18 to 34 who suffered from severe menstrual pain.2 While one group continued usual care with painkillers or hormonal contraceptives, the other group received detailed instructions for self-administered acupressure. After three months, 37 per cent of participants in the acupressure group reported that their menstrual pain had at least halved. After six months this proportion had risen to 58 per cent.
3. Neural therapy
Unlike acupuncture and acupressure, neural therapy does not originate from TCM but from naturopathy and regulatory medicine. This method involves injecting local anaesthetics (e.g. procaine or lidocaine) into specific areas of skin, muscle or tissue. The aim is to influence the autonomic nervous system, relieve pain and support the body's regulatory and healing processes.
Neural therapy is essentially based on two treatment concepts: segmental therapy and interference-field therapy. Segmental therapy is based on the assumption that certain skin areas, muscles, joints and internal organs are connected via common nerve pathways. By injecting an anaesthetic into painful or conspicuous body regions, impulses within these nerve connections are intended to be influenced and symptoms relieved. Interference-field therapy, on the other hand, assumes that chronic inflammations, scars or other stressed tissue changes can form so-called interference fields. These are thought to chronically irritate the autonomic nervous system and thereby cause symptoms in distant body regions. Injecting a local anaesthetic into or around the suspected interference field is intended to interrupt this irritation and restore the body's regulation.
Common indications for neural therapy, in addition to chronic pain, include scar complaints, back pain, neck tension, rheumatic complaints, headaches and migraine as well as neuralgias (nerve pain). The therapy focuses in particular on the autonomic nervous system, which regulates many unconscious bodily functions. Proponents of neural therapy believe that the treatment can positively influence disturbed regulatory circuits in the body and thus contribute to symptom relief.
Which method is best suited for whom?
All alternative pain therapies share a common goal: to relieve pain as holistically as possible and support the body's regulatory capacity. Which method is most suitable depends, among other things, on the type of symptoms, personal preferences and any fears or pre-existing conditions.
Acupuncture is considered ideal for people with chronic pain such as knee osteoarthritis, back pain and migraine. Those with bleeding disorders, severe skin infections or a pronounced fear of needles are generally not suitable for this therapy. A considerably gentler, needle-free alternative is acupressure, which is often used for acute tension headaches, neck tension, nausea or general relaxation. Acupressure is not suitable for acute injuries, open wounds or bone fractures. Neural therapy is often recommended for people with therapy-resistant chronic pain, neuralgias, muscle tension or chronic inflammations. It is contraindicated in cases of allergies to local anaesthetics, severe bleeding disorders or the use of anticoagulant medications.
In general: for chronic or long-standing pain, acupuncture or neural therapy are used more often because these methods are thought to act more specifically on the nervous system and deeper regulatory processes. Both procedures may only be performed by doctors with appropriate additional training or – in the case of acupuncture – also by qualified Heilpraktikerinnen and Heilpraktiker. Acupressure, however, does not require medical training and is very suitable for self-treatment at home after instruction.
The scientific perspective: studies on alternative pain therapies
Figure 4: While several studies on the effectiveness of acupuncture exist, the evidence for acupressure and neural therapy is still limited.
Alternative pain therapies are still often accused of being significantly inferior to conventional methods in terms of efficacy. But is that really the case? The scientific assessment varies depending on the method and the indication. Acupuncture is the best-researched to date. The so-called GERAC study (German Acupuncture Trials) is one of the world's largest studies on the effectiveness of acupuncture.3 Among other things, patients with chronic lower back pain were examined in these investigations. A six-month course of acupuncture led to a significant reduction in symptoms for most participants, clearly outperforming the effects of the then-standard therapy.
Researchers at the Charité also investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture in a large-scale pilot project involving around 200,000 pain patients over a period of three years. The researchers concluded that acupuncture can be classified as a safe procedure with confirmed effectiveness. Three out of four patients with headaches or chronic lower back pain (lumbar syndrome) reported a noticeable improvement in their symptoms even six months after treatment. Even higher success rates were observed for asthma/allergic rhinitis, dysmenorrhoea and osteoarthritis pain.
Compared with acupuncture, the evidence base for acupressure and neural therapy is still more limited. Nevertheless, there are studies and systematic reviews suggesting that both methods can have positive effects for certain complaints – especially as complementary measures within a comprehensive, multimodal pain management approach. For example, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis confirms that acupressure can improve pain, tenderness and functional limitations in various chronic pain syndromes.4 There are significantly fewer large and representative studies on neural therapy to date. For this reason, the method is currently classified in evidence-based medicine more as a complementary procedure.
Conclusion
Alternative pain therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure and neural therapy are becoming increasingly important, especially for people with chronic pain who are seeking complementary or more holistic treatment options. Although the different methods follow different approaches, they share the feature that they rarely focus solely on pain symptoms and instead view the body as a whole system. While acupuncture is now comparatively well researched, the evidence for acupressure and neural therapy remains more limited. Nevertheless, many sufferers report positive effects in terms of pain relief and improved quality of life.
Disclaimer
This article does not replace treatment by a qualified therapist. The basis of this article is studies and current literature. It must not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Discuss any ideas from this article with a therapist you trust, if necessary.
Biographical
Katharina Korbach regularly writes blog posts for Narayana Verlag about medicinal plants and natural active ingredients. She developed an interest in language early on and began writing her own literary texts. A serious illness during her final school exams prompted an intensive engagement with health and nutrition topics that continues to this day. After repeated failures of conventional medical treatments, she opted for a more self-effective, naturopathic therapeutic approach. A plant-based diet was a key factor in her healing journey.
Katharina studied Cultural Studies (B.A.) and Applied Literary Studies (M.A.). In 2022 she published her debut novel "Sperling" with Berlin Verlag. Today she lives in Berlin as a freelance author, medical editor and lecturer. She likes to spend her free time with friends or at barre training. She also loves to travel and try out new vegan recipes.
Sources
- He Y, Guo X, May BH, Zhang AL, Liu Y, Lu C, Mao JJ, Xue CC, Zhang H. Clinical Evidence for Association of Acupuncture and Acupressure With Improved Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Oncol. 2020 Feb 1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31855257/.
- Blödt S, Pach D, Eisenhart-Rothe SV, Lotz F, Roll S, Icke K, Witt CM. Effectiveness of app-based self-acupressure for women with menstrual pain compared to usual care: a randomized pragmatic trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Feb. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29155036/.
- Haake M, Müller HH, Schade-Brittinger C, Basler HD, Schäfer H, Maier C, Endres HG, Trampisch HJ, Molsberger A. German Acupuncture Trials (GERAC) for chronic low back pain: randomized, multicenter, blinded, parallel-group trial with 3 groups. Arch Intern Med. 2007 Sep 24. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17893311/.
- Lee TKW, Chang JR, Hao D, Fu SN, Wong AYL. The Effectiveness of Auricular Acupressure on Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Integr Complement Med. 2025 Jan. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39018502/.
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01.10.2026
