title: Complementary medicine in chronic pain treatment.
abstract: This article discusses several issues related to therapies that are considered "complementary" or "alternative" to conventional medicine. A definition of "complementary and alternative medicine" (CAM) is considered in the context of the evolving health care field of complementary medicine. A rationale for pain physicians and clinicians to understand these treatments of chronic pain is presented. The challenges of an evidence-based approach to incorporating CAM therapies are explored. Finally, a brief survey of the evidence that supports several widely available and commonly used complementary therapies for chronic pain is provided.
authors.affiliation: 3990 Southwest Lafollett Road, Cornelius, OR 97113, USA. Electronic address: casimpsondc@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D059408:Pain Management
keywords: Chronic pain; Complementary and alternative medicine; Evidence-based medicine; Therapies