Peer Reviewed
Feature Article
What a pain! Managing it through the continuum
Abstract
Managing chronic pain is a challenge for all doctors. Patients need to be encouraged to take control of their pain with a self-management plan and not rely on medication alone. Low back pain is discussed in the article as a model of pain.
Key Points
- Pain is a complex concept to come to terms with – what may be very painful and distressing to one person may be only a mild ache to another.
- There is increasing evidence that chronic or persistent pain can be classified as a disease in its own right.
- Patients should be helped to institute a holistic, active, self-management program, something akin to a lifestyle change.
- Part of the management plan will include addressing patient expectations.
- Drug therapy should never be used alone. Address also lifestyle issues such as ensuring a healthy diet, exercising regularly, sleeping well and managing stress appropriately.
- Escalating doses of opioids are more likely to increase the side effect profile than improve analgesia and will often reduce functional outcomes and quality of life.
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