• Acupuncture – Originating in China, this age-old practice involves inserting long, extremely slender needles into specific points along the body to relieve pain discomfort and discomfort.  Acupuncture works by activating one's own pain control system in the spinal cord and brain.
• Biofeedback – This involves a learning process whereby certain visual or auditory (sound-based) feedback allows you to train yourself to initiate relaxation responses that help control or normalize your psychological response to pain, thus reducing the physiologic activation of pain generators.
• Hypnosis - This involves entering an altered state of consciousness whereby suggestions inserted while in that state can lead to changes in behavior or, in the case of pain, altered physical sensations. Self-hypnosis involves inducing an altered state of consciousness — and thus controlling pain sensations — with one's own mind. Recent neuroscience research involving experimental pain has demonstrated that hypnosis instruction actually can enable a person to reduce activity in the area of the brain responsible for the suffering of pain.
• Visual Imagery – The practice of using one's imagination to create mental pictures can help relieve pain. Typically, this involves closing your eyes and imaging something like a healing energy washing over your body, or the "wires" to the pain being severed.

Other complementary pain relief techniques include massage, vibration, heat or cold packs and pressure.  Each stimulates the skin to lessen the feeling of pain.  Skin stimulation is done on or near the painful area and may result in hours of relief.  Some patients treat themselves or ask friends or family members to help.  Be sure to check with your doctor about using skin stimulation if you are receiving radiation therapy.