Pain Management

Pain Management is a branch of medicine that uses an interdisciplinary approach to ease the suffering and improve the quality of life of those living with chronic pain. The typical pain management team includes medical practitioners, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, physician assistants, nurses, and massage therapists. The team may also include other mental health specialists and massage therapists. Pain sometimes resolves promptly once the underlying trauma or pathology has healed, and is treated by one practitioner, with drugs such as analgesics and (occasionally) anxiolytics. Effective management of chronic (long-term) pain, however, frequently requires the coordinated efforts of the management team.

Approaches to Pain Management

Pain management includes pharmacological, interventional, physical, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and psychological treatments. The choice of treatment depends on the patient's history and the type of pain.

Pharmacological Treatment

Pharmacological treatment involves the use of analgesics such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and opioids. Other drugs such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants are also used for pain management.

Interventional Treatment

Interventional treatments include nerve blocks, neuroaugmentation, surgical intervention, and radiological intervention.

Physical Treatment

Physical treatments involve the use of physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

CAM treatments include acupuncture, mind-body therapy, and herbal remedies.

Psychological Treatment

Psychological treatments involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), biofeedback, and hypnosis.

Chronic Pain Management

Chronic pain can be managed using a combination of the treatments mentioned above. The goal of chronic pain management is to improve function, enabling individuals to work, attend school, or participate in other day-to-day activities. Patients and their physicians have a number of options for the treatment of pain; some are more effective than others.

See Also

• Chronic Pain
• Palliative Care
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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