Stephen Brandenburg, Bartlett, Tennessee: Utilizing ultrasound and electrical stimulation modalities has assisted many of my patients in relieving pain.

Jim Webley, Burlington, Wisconsin: Ancillary modalities such as IF current and ice for acute conditions; US along with myofascial release, IASTM for sub-acute/chronic conditions.

Cynthia Leeder, Carlsbad, California: I have several different protocols that I use

1) If anyone calls in for treatment as a result of a recent accident I always tell them to go to the health food store or come by the office and pick up some Traumeel (BHI-Heel) and start taking it. I tell them to take 1 tablet every 15 minutes for 3 hours then to cut back to 1 every hour for day 1; 1 every 2 hours on day 2 and 1 3x a day until they can get in to see me. I find homeopathics incredibly valuable for most muscle trauma.

2) I also use another homeopathic by the same company called Spascupreel and it seems to work wonders on muscle spasms and cramps. These products can be ordered from Natural Partners in addition to ordering from BHI-Heel.

3) I find turmeric really works wonders for pain in general - I have a product that has turmeric, ginger and bioflavonoids that people swear by - the nice thing about turmeric is that even though they are working on getting the inflammation out it is also working on their brain - it has been shown to help with beginning stages of Alzheimer's.

4) For severe pain I have found a product called "Neprinol" from Arthur Andrew Medical that has serrapeptase and nattokinase that work wonders with nasty stuff - it also works on dissolving tumors - sadly it is very expensive too.

5) I also make sure they are on an anti-inflammatory diet - no sugar, alcohol, gluten, dairy, preservatives, chemicals, high amounts of EPA/DHA, digestive enzymes. A chiropractic treatment that seems to work wonders is doing cranial adjustments.

Rosemary Kaszans, Brunswick, Georgia: I have found that acupuncture points, using both electro- and needle acupuncture for treatment in these areas, is extremely effective in reducing or eliminating pain. A dozen years ago I took the course offered by John Amaro, DC, and this has changed the way I practice. For instance, not only is the area around the pain important to address, but also the more distal points in the ankles and feet, or the hands and wrists. I have had wonderful success helping patients with pain and am grateful for the knowledge of the ancient art of acupuncture.

Terry Wiley, Alamosa, Colorado: Pain relief for sprains and strains and for immune response with colds, flu and other viral or bacterial stress has responded with protease enzymes. I find the plant enzymes are extremely helpful in building the patients immune system and taking days off of the healing time or the time to run its course. The Loomis protocol is what I follow. Many times pain is referred from an organ or system under stress and that needs to be relieved first and the adjustments will perform much better when administered to the subluxation complex.

Susan Sykes, North Carolina: I have found that anything that reduces inflammation is very valuable. I recommend an eating plan based on David Seaman's nutritional protocols. In addition we use an herbal supplement, call Inflam-ceuctic or proteolytic enzymes, such as Enzyme Forte to reduce inflammation levels. Most recently we are evaluating the use of magnesium lotion for muscle pain and tension.

Don Schmolder, Manhattan Beach, California: I have learned and grown into over 24 years of practice and at 49 years of age that personal prayer and prayer with patients takes pain to another level of tolerance and often acceptance if not total relief that is often neglected regardless of the entity of the pain.

Juan-Carlos Portillo, San Jose, California: Since 1999 I have been offering my clients "enzyme replacement therapy". Dr. Howard Loomis, the founder has an Institute that he runs out of Madison, WI. It has completely changed how I practice, as I can finally get to the most common cause of chronic muscle contraction.... digestive stress. Using enzymes, with herbs to deliver nutrients past an incompetent digestive system, we can help patients return to homeostasis.