Chronic Pain Treatment
Naturopathic Medicine, Chiropractic Care, Acupuncture & Massage
Living with chronic pain can affect how you move, work, and feel day to day. At Mint Integrative Health in Vancouver, we take an integrative, root-cause approach to chronic pain, combining naturopathic medicine, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and registered massage therapy to help you achieve long-term relief.
Chronic pain is something many people struggle with, often after going through the conventional medical system without clear answers or lasting solutions. While oral pain medications are commonly prescribed, they can lead to unwanted side effects and don’t always address the underlying cause.
Our approach focuses on uncovering what’s driving your pain and offering more targeted, sustainable solutions. This may include acupuncture (both Traditional Chinese Medicine and medical acupuncture for myofascial trigger point release), which is highly effective for conditions like low back pain, sciatica, frozen shoulder, headaches, migraines, plantar fasciitis, and nerve-related pain. We may also incorporate therapies such as cupping for muscle tension and sports injuries, custom compounded topical medications to reduce systemic side effects, and advanced treatments like injection therapy and Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) to help calm nerve sensitivity and interrupt chronic pain patterns.
Our goal is not just to reduce pain, but to help your body heal, reset, and function better long term.
What Is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is typically defined as pain that persists for more than 3 months. It may stem from injury, inflammation, nerve dysfunction, or underlying health conditions and often involves multiple systems in the body.
Common types of chronic pain include:
- Joint pain (knee, hip, shoulder)
- Back and neck pain
- Muscle tension and myofascial pain
- Nerve pain (sciatica, tingling, burning sensations)
- Headaches and migraines
- Chronic inflammation or autoimmune-related pain
Our Integrative Approach to Chronic Pain
We don’t just treat where it hurts, we look at why it’s happening. Your care plan may include a combination of:
- Naturopathic medicine to reduce inflammation and support healing
- Chiropractic care to restore movement and joint function
- Acupuncture to regulate the nervous system and reduce pain sensitivity
- Registered massage therapy to release muscle tension and improve circulation
Naturopathic Treatment for Chronic Pain
Our naturopathic doctors focus on identifying and addressing the root causes of chronic pain, while also offering advanced therapies for targeted relief. It is not uncommon for those suffering from a chronic condition to also suffer from other comorbid conditions. The relationship between pain and insomnia, depression or mood disorders is not well understood; however, co-management from a team of healthcare providers may be needed to better address the needs of the patient.
Chronic pain is often influenced by:
- Systemic inflammation
- Hormonal and metabolic imbalances
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Gut health and immune function
- Nervous system dysregulation (chronic stress response)
Treatment Options May Include
- Targeted supplementation to reduce inflammation and support tissue repair
- Nutrition and lifestyle strategies to stabilize blood sugar and reduce pain triggers
- Functional testing to uncover underlying imbalances
- Nervous system support to reduce pain sensitivity
Advanced Injection Therapy for Pain & Regeneration
We offer advanced injection therapies designed to both relieve pain and promote healing of damaged tissues. These treatments use injectable substances such as:
- Corticosteroids (to reduce inflammation)
- Prolotherapy (to stimulate tissue repair)
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) (to support regeneration of ligaments and tendons)
Injection therapy is commonly used for:
- Joint pain (knee, shoulder, hip)
- Tendon injuries
- Ligament instability
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain
These treatments provide a non-surgical option for patients looking to reduce pain while actively supporting tissue healing and recovery.
For patients considering this approach, Dr. Saffari offers a dedicated initial consultation, which includes a comprehensive review of your health history and intake forms, an orthopedic assessment, and a discussion of appropriate treatment options. When clinically indicated, injection therapy may be performed during the same visit.
Ultrasound-Guided Assessment
Dr. Saffari also offers a complimentary initial ultrasound joint scanning session for new patients. This visit helps:
- Identify the underlying cause of joint pain or injury
- Assess structures such as ligaments, tendons, and joints in real time
- Determine the most appropriate treatment options
Chiropractic Care for Chronic Pain Relief
Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper movement and alignment to reduce stress on joints, muscles, and nerves. At Mint, it’s integrated with rehabilitation strategies, acupuncture, and massage therapy to provide a more comprehensive approach to pain management. This conservative form of care can help relieve both acute and chronic symptoms while addressing underlying mechanical dysfunctions, along with guided exercises to support long-term movement and stability.
Chiropractic Care May Help With:
- Back and neck pain
- Joint dysfunction (shoulder, hip, knee)
- Sciatica and nerve pain
- Postural strain and desk-related pain
- Sports injuries and mobility restrictions
Shockwave Therapy for Chronic Pain
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that accelerates your body’s healing process. Shockwave works by stimulating tissue regeneration, increasing local circulation, and modulating pain responses. This treatment is offered by Dr. Christine White DC.
Common conditions treated with shockwave therapy are:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Tennis elbow and Golfer’s elbow
- Shoulder pain from rotator cuff tendonitis or calcific tendonitis
- Shin splints
- Myofascial trigger points
Shockwave therapy is also used for ongoing performance support in active individuals, with benefits including:
- Improved mobility
- Enhanced tissue resilience
- Faster muscle and tendon recovery
- Reduced inflammatory flare ups
Cold Laser Therapy (Low-Level Laser Therapy)
Cold laser therapy (also known as Class IV laser therapy) uses targeted red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing at a cellular level, helping to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and accelerate tissue repair.
This advanced therapy works by increasing cellular energy, improving nutrient delivery to damaged tissues, and creating an optimal environment for healing. As circulation improves, oxygen and nutrients are delivered more efficiently to the injured area supporting faster recovery and improved function. Benefits may include:
- Reduced pain and swelling
- Faster tissue healing
- Improved circulation
- Non-invasive and painless treatment
Often used for:
- Joint pain and arthritis
- Back and neck pain
- Nerve-related pain
- Post-injury recovery
What to Expect from a visit
Your initial visit includes a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms, health history, and goals, allowing our team to understand the root causes of your pain not just the symptoms. Based on your needs, we may recommend:
- A combination of therapies including naturopathic medicine, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and registered massage therapy
- Movement and rehabilitation strategies to restore strength and mobility
- Lifestyle and nutrition support to reduce inflammation and support healing
- A phased, personalized treatment plan focused on both short-term relief and long-term results