Integrative Medicine Approach to Chronic Pain

Raymond Y. Teets, MD

Institute for Family Health
Beth Israel Residency in Urban Family Medicine
Department of Family and Social Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Chronic pain is a complex condition that results from interplay among biologic, psychological, and social factors. Comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plans that emphasize wellness and holistic healing are, therefore, often needed address the full gamut of pain-related disability. The goals of integrative medicine include addressing pain in a patient-specific context, ameliorating pain, improving quality of life, and reducing risks for patients by diminishing the need for multiple medications, invasive interventions, and alternative therapies unsupported by evidence. Strategies utilized in integrative medicine can include dietary modifications, herbs and supplements, manual medicine, acupuncture, yoga, and mind-body therapy. Emerging evidence suggests that combining multiple strategies—usually by adding one or two approaches at each follow-up appointment—and individualizing therapy based on the context in which the patient experiences chronic pain can improve outcomes.

References

1) Teets RY, Dahmer S, Scott E. Integrative medicine approach to chronic pain. Prim Care. 2010;37(2):407-21.
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