Medical and Alternative Therapy for Acute and Chronic Pain Conditions

Course overview

Acute and chronic pain affect a significant portion of the population both nationally and globally. Each experiences and reacts to pain uniquely, based upon biopsychosocial factors. Pain management planning frequently involves pharmaceuticals, e.g., opioids, non-opioids, or a combination of drugs. Persons with a concern about medication side effects or inadequate pain relief often explore complementary and alternative (CAM) strategies for pain relief. CAM techniques used for chronic and acute pain, like progressive relaxation and other therapies, have gained recognition by health clinicians as potentially beneficial for alleviating pain and improving quality of life. Pain management strategies must be tailored to each person's unique diagnosis and condition to ensure safe and appropriate pain relief.