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Non-Drug Pain Management
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/nondrugpainmanagement.html

Non-Drug Pain Management

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  • Start Here

Learn More

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  • Clinical Trials
  • Journal Articles

Resources

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For You

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Summary

What is pain?

Pain is a signal in your nervous system that something may be wrong. It is an unpleasant feeling, such as a prick, tingle, sting, burn, or ache. Each person feels pain differently, even if the reason for the pain is the same. Pain may be sharp or dull. It may come and go, or it may be constant. You may feel pain in one area of your body, such as your back, abdomen, chest, pelvis, or you may feel pain all over.

There are two types of pain:

  • Acute pain usually comes on suddenly, because of a disease, injury, or inflammation (irritation, redness, and/or swelling). It usually goes away when the cause is treated or healed, though sometimes it can turn into chronic pain.
  • Chronic pain lasts for longer than three months or the time in which you should have healed. It can cause severe problems.

What are pain relievers?

Pain relievers are medicines that reduce or relieve pain. There are many pain medicines, each with advantages and risks. Some are over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Others are stronger medicines, which are available by prescription. The most powerful prescription pain relievers are opioids. They are very effective, but people who take them are at risk of addiction and overdose.

Because of the side effects and risks of pain relievers, you may want to try non-drug treatments first. If you need to take medicines, doing some non-drug treatments may allow you to take a lower dose.

What are some non-drug treatments for pain?

Many non-drug treatments can help with pain. It is important to check with your health care provider before trying any of them:

  • Acupuncture involves stimulating acupuncture points. These are specific points on your body. There are different acupuncture methods. The most common one involves inserting thin needles through the skin. Others include using pressure, electrical stimulation, and heat. Acupuncture is based on the belief that qi (vital energy) flows through the body along paths, called meridians. Practitioners believe that triggering the acupuncture points can rebalance the qi. Research suggests that acupuncture can help manage certain pain conditions.
  • Biofeedback techniques use electronic devices to measure body functions such as breathing and heart rate. This teaches you to be more aware of your body functions so you can learn to control them. For example, a biofeedback device may show you measurements of your muscle tension. By watching how these measurements change, you can become more aware of when your muscles are tense and learn to relax them. Biofeedback may help to control pain, including chronic headaches and back pain.
  • Electrical stimulation involves using a device to send a gentle electric current to your nerves or muscles. This can help treat pain by changing or blocking pain signals. Types include:
    • Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS)
    • Implanted electric nerve stimulation
    • Deep brain or spinal cord stimulation
  • Massage therapy is a treatment in which the soft tissues of the body are kneaded, rubbed, tapped, and stroked. Among other benefits, it may help people relax, and relieve stress and pain.
  • Meditation is a mind-body practice in which you focus your attention on something, such as an object, word, phrase, or breathing. This helps you to minimize distracting or stressful thoughts or feelings.
  • Physical therapy uses techniques such as heat, cold, exercise, massage, and manipulation. It can help to control pain, condition muscles and restore strength.
  • Psychotherapy (talk therapy) uses methods such as discussion, listening, and counseling to treat mental and behavioral disorders. It can also help people who have pain, especially chronic pain, by:
    • Teaching them coping skills to better deal with the stress that pain can cause
    • Addressing negative thoughts and emotions that can make pain worse
    • Providing them with support
  • Relaxation therapy can help reduce muscle tension and stress, lower blood pressure, and control pain. It may involve tensing and relaxing muscles throughout the body. It may be used with guided imagery (focusing the mind on positive images) and meditation.
  • Surgery can sometimes be necessary to treat severe pain, especially when back problems or serious musculoskeletal injuries cause it. There are always risks to getting surgery, and it does not always work to treat pain. It is important to go through all the risks and benefits with your provider.

Start Here

  • 9 Things You Should Know About Chronic Pain and Complementary Health Approaches From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Consumer Information on Pain From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Managing Chronic Pain: How Psychologists Can Help with Pain Management (American Psychological Association)
  • Non-Opioid Treatment (American Society of Anesthesiologists)

Related Issues

  • Nonopioid Therapies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Specifics

  • Acupuncture: MedlinePlus Health Topic From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
  • Biofeedback (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
  • Chiropractic: In Depth From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Chiropractic: MedlinePlus Health Topic From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
  • Magnets for Pain From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Massage Therapy: What You Need to Know From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Meditation and Mindfulness: What You Need to Know From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Pain: Considering Complementary Approaches (eBook) From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Qigong: What You Need To Know From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Rehabilitation: MedlinePlus Health Topic From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
  • Tai Chi: What You Need to Know From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Yoga: Effectiveness and Safety From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Complementary and Integrative Therapies for Pain From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Article: The effects of integrating the Manchester Pain Management Model and empowerment...
  • Article: Effect of gum chewing and cold therapy on postoperative cesarean women's...
  • Article: The efficacy of combined lateral and anterior quadratus lumborum blocks in...
  • Non-Drug Pain Management -- see more articles

Reference Desk

  • Terms Related to Complementary and Integrative Health From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

Find an Expert

  • Find a Massage Therapist (American Massage Therapy Association)
  • Find a NCCAOM Certified Practitioner (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine)
  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health From the National Institutes of Health

Topic Image

Non-Drug Pain Management

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • Alternative medicine - pain relief
  • Chiropractic care for back pain
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy for back pain
  • Yoga for health

Related Health Topics

  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic
  • Chronic Pain
  • Complementary and Integrative Medicine
  • Pain
  • Rehabilitation

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Non-Drug Pain Management is the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

  • Could a Complementary Health Treatment Help You?
  • From Opiods to Mindfulness: A New Approach to Chronic Pain
  • Personal Story: Selene Suarez

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The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

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