Evidence-Based Evaluation of Complementary Health Approaches for Pain Management in the United States.
Although most pain is acute and resolves within a few days or weeks, millions of Americans have persistent or recurring pain that may become chronic and debilitating. Medications may provide only partial relief from this chronic pain and can be associated with unwanted effects. As a result, many individuals turn to complementary health approaches as part of their pain management strategy. This article examines the clinical trial evidence for the efficacy and safety of several specific approaches-acupuncture, manipulation, massage therapy, relaxation techniques including meditation, selected natural product supplements (chondroitin, glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane, S-adenosylmethionine), tai chi, and yoga-as used to manage chronic pain and related disability associated with back pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, neck pain, and severe headaches or migraines.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. Electronic address: NahinR@mail.nih.gov.
Richard L
RL
Nahin
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Robin
R
Boineau
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Partap S
PS
Khalsa
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Barbara J
BJ
Stussman
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Wendy J
WJ
Weber
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D001416:Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008405:Massage; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States