An overview of treatment approaches for chronic pain management.
Pain which persists after healing is expected to have taken place, or which exists in the absence of tissue damage, is termed chronic pain. By definition chronic pain cannot be treated and cured in the conventional biomedical sense; rather, the patient who is suffering from the pain must be given the tools with which their long-term pain can be managed to an acceptable level. This article will provide an overview of treatment approaches available for the management of persistent non-malignant pain. As well as attempting to provide relief from the physical aspects of pain through the judicious use of analgesics, interventions, stimulations, and irritations, it is important to pay equal attention to the psychosocial complaints which almost always accompany long-term pain. The pain clinic offers a biopsychosocial approach to treatment with the multidisciplinary pain management programme; encouraging patients to take control of their pain problem and lead a fulfilling life in spite of the pain.
Faculty of Health Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK. nicholas.hylands-white@bcu.ac.uk.|, 80 Knightsfield, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 7HB, UK. nicholas.hylands-white@bcu.ac.uk.
Nicholas
N
Hylands-White
Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Rui V
RV
Duarte
Faculty of Health Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK.|Department of Pain Management, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, UK.
Jon H
JH
Raphael
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities
D000700:Analgesics
Biopsychosocial; Chronic pain; Pain management; Psychology