title: The Effect of Curanderismo on Chronic Non-malignant Pain: A Case Report.
abstract: This case study describes the effects of the use of curanderismo, an indigenous healing modality combining techniques in massage, sound, and aromatherapy, on a patient with chronic pain. Despite being a commonly used health practice in certain populations, little is reported in the medical literature about the use of curanderismo. Case report as part of a larger randomized trial of curanderismo for chronic pain. Setting was a community-based hospital affiliated primary care clinic. An adult patient with chronic, opioid dependent back pain following an injury, and subsequent spinal fusion was treated. Intervention was the patient received 33 curanderismo treatment sessions over 10 months in addition to ongoing conventional treatment at a community-based chronic pain management clinic. Main outcomes measures were self-reported assessments of pain, functional ability, mood, insomnia, and narcotic usage. Secondary outcome measure was qualitative interview. Although there was no change in quantitative self-reported pain measures, the patient reported improved function, mood, and sleep as well as decreased narcotic usage. Curanderismo, in addition to conventional pain management, improved patient reported symptoms and functional ability, led to healthy lifestyle changes, and decreased narcotic usage. Controlled studies are needed to confirm the benefit of curanderismo as safe, non-interventional, and cost-effective adjunct for chronic pain management.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Building 500-13001, E. 17th Place, Campus Box C290, Aurora, CO 80045.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Building 500-13001, E. 17th Place, Campus Box C290, Aurora, CO 80045.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gonzales
authors.affiliation: Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Colorado Hospital, 3055 Rosyln St Suite 250, Denver, CO 80238; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 8th Floor, Academic Office 1, Mailstop B180, 12631 E. 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045E. Electronic address: lisa.corbin@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corbin
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000339:Affect; D001416:Back Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D019423:Shamanism; D012890:Sleep; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics
keywords: chronic pain; complementary medicine; curanderismo; indigenous medicine