Integrative and holistic healthcare specialists can help many individuals best manage their pain with a variety of alternative therapies.  These therapies range from acupuncture to massage therapy and anything in between.  It is important to properly balance any alternative and holistic therapies with the knowledge of one’s primary physician.   This prevents any misuse or improper mixtures with conventional and alternative modalities.   Holistic Nurses and other forms of holistic specialists can help provide the knowledge and guidance in utilizing there therapies properly for chronic pain.

The article, “The Benefits of Integrative Medicine in the Management of Chronic Pain: A Review” by Hirak Trivedi, Tara A. Avrit, Leah Chan, De Mauria Burchette, Rajni Rathore reviews some of the utilized alternative practices for pain management.  In it, they include massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga, and chiropractic manipulation.  From a reviewed study, they come to the conclusion that yoga and physical therapy have beneficial results in pain management.  The article states,

“Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects many individuals throughout their daily lives. While it is common to treat chronic pain with pharmaceutical treatments, an approach that has also shown great benefits is the use of integrative medicine, such as massage therapy, osteopathic and spinal manipulation, acupuncture, and yoga. The keywords “integrative medicine,” “pain,” “chronic pain,” and “pain management” with the use of the Boolean operators “AND,” “OR,” and “NOT” were used to identify relevant studies discussing the effectiveness of alternative medicine in the treatment of chronic pain”

The Benefits of Integrative Medicine in the Management of Chronic Pain: A Review. Trivedi H, Avrit T A, Chan L, et al. (October 05, 2022) The Benefits of Integrative Medicine in the Management of Chronic Pain: A Review. Cureus 14(10): e29963. doi:10.7759/cureus.29963

To review the article, please click here

 

Commentary 

Holistic and integrative medicine are two approaches to healthcare that take a more comprehensive view of the patient. Holistic medicine focuses on the whole person, taking into account all aspects of their life and health. Integrative medicine takes a more individualized approach, looking at each patient as a unique individual and tailoring treatment to their specific needs.  HIM practitioners view health as more than just the absence of disease, but rather as a state of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Integrative medicine (IM) is a relatively new field of medicine that combines conventional Western medicine with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).  The use of this type of approach is also very important in chronic pain management.

Holistic Approaches and Pain Management

Holistic and integrative pain management are approaches that focus on the individual as a whole, rather than just the symptoms of pain. This approach acknowledgement that pain is a complex experience that is affected by physical, emotional, social, and spiritual factors. The goal of holistic and integrative pain management is to address all of these factors in order to help the individual find relief from their pain.

There are many types of holistic pain management, but some of the most popular include acupuncture, aromatherapy, and massage therapy. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to promote relaxation and healing. Massage therapy is a form of manual therapy that uses pressure and strokes to relieve muscle tension and pain.

The use of massage therapy is one of the more relaxing forms of pain management.  Massage therapy is an effective way to manage pain. It can help to relax the muscles, increase circulation, and reduce inflammation. Massage therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including headaches, back pain, neck pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

One of the most successful and most used forms of pain management is chiropractic manipulation. Chiropractic is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, with an emphasis on the spine. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to manipulate the joints and muscles of the body, including manual adjustments, traction, and massage. Pain management is a broad term that refers to the various methods used to relieve pain. This can include medication, physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care.

Finally, Acupuncture is a popular and effective form of pain management that has been used for centuries. It involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body, which can help to relieve pain by stimulating the nervous system.  There is a growing body of evidence to support the use of acupuncture for pain relief, and it is now considered an effective treatment for a variety of conditions such as headaches, back pain, and arthritis.

Conclusion

Integrative and Holistic approaches to chronic pain management are very successful in helping people cope and deal with pain but they need to be used in unison with a trained professional.  Certified holistic nurses or holistic and integrative healthcare specialists can play a key role in helping individuals utilize alternative therapies and combine them with conventional medications.   Yoga, acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic manipulation are all successful ways to manage pain.

Please also review AIHCP’s Holistic and Integrative Healthcare Specialist Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Holistic Nursing.  Qualified healthcare professionals and nurses are welcomed into the program and are eligible for certification after completing the core courses.

Additional Resources

“Clinical Practice Guideline: Chiropractic Care for Low Back Pain”. Gary Globe, PhD. et, al.  Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics Volume 39, Issue 1, January 2016, Pages 1-22. Access here

“Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cancer Pain Management: A Systematic Review”. Priyanka Singh and Aditi Chaturvedi.  Indian J Palliat Care. 2015 Jan-Apr; 21(1): 105–115 doi: 10.4103/0973-1075.150202. Access here

“Holistic Alternative Medicine and CAM Definitions”. Val Silver. Holistic MindBody Healing.  Access here

“Pain Management: Alternative Therapy”. WebMD Editorial Contributors. Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD. October 20, 202. WebMD. Access here