WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. -- In the fight against pain, they were once considered alternative therapies. But now, treatments like massage, acupuncture, healing touch and reflexology are gaining more acceptance in the medical field.

But can these therapies really help ease chronic pain? 7NEWS went to Wheat Ridge to find out.

At the Bridges Integrative Health Services Clinic you can get a variety of treatments and therapeutic massage, all aimed at relieving pain.

"It's becoming more mainstream," said Dr. Vern Ritzman.

More and more doctors believe these therapies, in conjunction with traditional medical treatments, can help their patients.

"Early on we called it alternative therapies. Then it became more complementary therapies and now I think it's more integrative therapies," said Ritzman.

And the proof lies with those like Nancy Case and Barbara Duncan, who have been treated at Bridges.

Case has chronic neck pain from years of stress.

"I found that at work I could not sit still," said Case.

Duncan's hand was mangled in a car accident years ago and ever since, she has had problems with pain shooting up her arm.

"It's put me on my knees," said Duncan. ("it's put me to my knees.")

Now, after the integrative therapies, both live virtually pain-free lives.

"Through the pain management here I've been able to get rid of it almost completely," said Case.

"I can function better. I don't focus on the pain," said Duncan. "The pain is not there."

It's important to know that while Bridges Integrative Health Services is a relaxing place, it's not like going to a spa. The treatments are aimed at providing pain relief.

Bridges provides therapeutic massage, pre and post-natal massage, acupuncture, healing touch, reflexology, guided imagery, integrative health nurse consults, counseling services, holistic surgical path, and pain and anxiety relief. For more information call (303) 425-2262 or visit www.bridgesforhealth.org.