ALTERNATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT THERAPY

Alternative Pain Management Therapy: Non-Pharmacological Approaches vs. Pharmacological Methods

Introduction

Although it happens to be uncomfortable for most people, pain could be considered an instrumental human body alarm system. This is more so the case given that it comes in handy in the identification of a wide range of stimuli likely to occasion harm to our tissues. In clinical settings, various strategies are deployed in an attempt to lessen the pain suffered by patients. The most common approach adopted by healthcare practitioners involves the utilization of pain-relieving medications that are FDA-approved. This is usually the case in efforts to manage both acute and chronic pain.

It would, however, be prudent to note that alternative pain management approaches have been used in diverse settings for ages. As a matter of fact, the utilization of medicinal plants in pain management has been practiced since time immemorial. Other approaches to pain management that have been used in various cultures are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; massage therapy, relaxation therapy, aromatherapy, yoga, chiropractic treatment, as well as acupuncture.

Background and Significance

Pain happens to be one of the most significant issues in the realm of healthcare. This is more so the case given that pain could have a negative impact on treatment outcomes and adversely impact patient wellbeing. As a matter of fact, as Moore et al. (2019) points out, healthcare systems have been engaged in consistent efforts to minimize patient discomfort by, amongst other things, seeking better ways to manage both acute and chronic pain. Pain among cancer patients, for instance, happens to be an issue of great interest and concern amongst healthcare practitioners. According to the American Cancer Society (2019), there are many different factors that affect the kind and intensity of pain experienced by cancer patients. The said factors are inclusive of, but they are not limited to, the stage and type of cancer, as well as the cancer treatment options embraced. If not properly managed, pain attributable to cancer could have a negative impact on patient wellbeing and recovery. This is more so the case given that as the American Cancer Society (2019) further observes, pain can even make some people stop treatment if its not managed. It therefore follows that there is need to explore alternatives to pain management that could promote adherence to treatment. Jimmy and Jose (2011), are categorical that adherence to therapies is a primary determinant of treatment success failure to adherence is a serious problem which not only affects the patient but also the health care system (p. 155)

It would also be prudent to note that over the last several decades, America has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of persons using opioids for the management of pain, particularly chronic pain (American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2021). This has resulted in concerns about addiction to prescription opioids. As the American Society of Anesthesiologists (2021) points out, opioids have been found to be highly addictive. Indeed, as the said society further observes, the risk for addiction has been found to be particularly high in those instances whereby opioids are used to manage chronic pain over a long period of time (American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2021). Yet another concern about opioids is related to their side effects which could in some instances be rather severe. The said side effects could range from the less severe ones such as nausea and mental fog, to more severe side effects such as slowed breathing and in some instances overdose death. Thus, available literature effectively demonstrates that some conventional pain management methods have their own limitations and pitfalls.

It is...

…implication of the findings contained herein is that the said methods could either be used in place of pharmacological interventions or alongside the said interventions. However, the implementation of alternative pain management approaches ought to be firmly rooted in available evidence. This is to say that the relevance of medical judgment as well a sustained scientific enquiry cannot be overstated in this case. Further, to ensure the safety of patients and protect the integrity of healthcare systems, there is need to ensure collective decision-making and see to it that regulatory authority is upheld.

Conclusion

Pain management continues to be an issue of great concern in clinical settings. This is more so the case given that pain could have a negative impact or effect on the quality of life (QoL) of a patient. Further, pain that persists or is uncontrollable could complicate efforts to treat underling conditions and in some instances promote non-adherence to treatment strategies. It therefore follows that we must explore the various therapeutic approaches to pain management so as to improve overall treatment outcomes. This is more so the case among cancer patients where pain could complicate treatment and recovery efforts. Pain among cancer patients could be related to treatment (i.e. surgery) or the cancer itself (i.e. in those instances whereby the tumor presses against organs, bones, or nerves). Although there is no single best approach to the management of pain, it would be beneficial to further explore pain management therapies having efficacy rates that could be deemed significant in as far as the reduction in pain intensity is concerned. It should, however, be noted that there is need to ensure that future efforts to investigate the efficacy of alternate pain management approaches brings together health research players in conventional medicine and experts in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) so as…