Complementary Approaches to Chronic Pain Management

Pharmacologic-only approaches to the management of chronic pain seldom provide complete/adequate pain relief and experts advocate for an integrative approach to the management of chronic pain. 

While evidence from clinical studies and randomized controlled trials support benefits brought by these approaches as complementary treatment for 1 or more chronic pain modalities, more rigorous research is needed to formulate adequate treatment guidelines and incorporate them as an integral part of treatment strategies.

Reference

Nahin RL, Boineau R, Khalsa PS, Stussman BJ, Weber WJ. Evidence-based evaluation of complementary health approaches for pain management in the United States. Mayo Clin Proc. 2016;91(9):1292-1306.