Complementary and alternative medicine for pain: an evidence-based review
Nadya M Dhanani1, Thomas J Caruso, Adam J Carinci
1Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Current Pain and Headache Reports
|November 11, 2010
Summary
Patients increasingly use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for pain relief alongside conventional treatments. This review assesses evidence-based efficacy for common CAM therapies like acupuncture and herbal remedies.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Pain Management
- Evidence-Based Practice
Background:
- Pain is a leading reason for medical visits.
- Growing patient interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for pain.
- Need for evidence-based evaluation of CAM therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on CAM for pain.
- To provide evidence-based assessments of common CAM therapies.
- To highlight areas needing further research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of complementary and alternative medicine for pain.
- Focus on evidence-based assessments.
- Inclusion of common therapies: acupuncture, herbal therapy, massage, hypnosis, tai chi, biofeedback.
Main Results:
- Increased research on CAM mechanisms, side effects, and efficacy.
- Significant knowledge gaps remain for many alternative therapies.
- Evidence varies across different CAM modalities.
Conclusions:
- CAM is a growing area in pain management.
- Evidence-based assessments are crucial for guiding clinical practice.
- Further research is needed to fully understand and validate CAM therapies for pain.
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