Hmm, this might be too far off your radar, but I've had some good results with accupuncture for other pain/inflammation problems. Some interesting studies show that it can help as significantly as mild opiods for pain.
In the thought that pain is the baseline issue, but lack of sleep surely doesn't help, so must fix pain to fix sleep, and fix sleep to fix pain...
I have acupuncture and massage treatments each week and they do provide temporary relief. And chiro when I need it. Oh, and physiotherapy. You're right - the key is restorative sleep. Narcotics, opioids, muscle relaxants, etc. have not helped me whatsoever with the pain. Morphine? Nil. Oxycontin? Zip. However, I have seen a chronic pain management doctor who is trying to get me on the right combination of medication so I can sleep and get pain relief. Hopefully sooner than later!
