What Kind of Treatment exists besides Medical Remedies?
Most people in pain primarily want the physical pain to go away and achieve this alone through painkilling remedies. With others, there is a need to handle the pain in other ways – for example psychologically and socially.
Psychological aid
It can be helpful to talk to a psychologist about the thoughts and feelings an illness with chronic pain sets in motion. Alone, telling someone else about worries, doubts and anxiety can bring a sort of order to the chaos many experience. The psychologist’s function is to make him or herself available, listen, pay attention, ask elaborating questions and have the courage to meet the pain and the confusion together with the ill person. Metaphorically speaking, the psychologist can help by holding up a torch in the darkness that shines so brightly that the ill person can see new possibilities for action.
Aside from conversation, for many people it is a help to use different techniques to gain control over the pain (hypnosis, visualisation)
Social measures
Often, chronic pain and cancer pain causes disablement for long periods. It can lead to the ill person being fired or perhaps gives up on his or her job – with serious financial consequences. In those situations, a social worker or a caseworker is able to inform about options (work flex, reduced working hours, rehabilitation or early retirement benefit).
Pain clinics
Pain clinics are places where especially patients with chronic pain are treated by a group of therapists specialized in treatment of pain. In some pain clinics, they employ doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists, social workers and other professionals – all with particular knowledge and interest within treatment of pain. In those cases, where the ordinary health care system cannot treat the condition in a satisfactory manner, it is a good idea to get a reference to a pain clinic.
Acupuncture
I the latest few years, acupuncture has become a more and more widely accepted form of treatment that often has a soothing effect on pain. Acupuncture functions by puncturing the skin with needles and thereby provoking the production of morphine of your own body. The treatment is a good supplement to painkilling remedies.
Alternative treatment
Many – especially cancer patients – use alternative treatment as a supplement to the doctor’s treatment. A few choose to use only alternative treatment. Even though it has not been proven scientifically alternative diets can cure cancer or other illnesses that causes chronic pain, there may be reasons for seeking alternative treatment. Some think that those who offer alternative treatment takes more time to talk to them and understand their problems better. Others think that all options for finding a cure must be tested. It can be difficult to keep your orientation in the market for alternative treatment; therefore, it is important to use your own common sense.
Physiotherapy
A physiotherapist can help you learn how to avoid straining your body in an inappropriate manner so to become as free of pain as possible. The physiotherapy can also help you learn to function in spite of the pain to have an active daily life.