Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Managing Chronic Pain and Preventing Analgesic Misuse in the Community

Abstract

Background: Chronic pain is one of the top causes of disability in the US. Repeated use and large dosages of analgesic medications increase the risks of side effects, misuse, and dependency. When the pain control cannot be achieved at a satisfactory level, patients may seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). There is a dearth of evidence-based practice research showing the effectiveness of CAM in reducing analgesic use. Objective: This pilot study provides evidence to increase awareness of CAM to improve community health and offers nonpharmacological interventions in pain management along with the prevention of analgesic misuse. Methodology: This quantitative research recruited 16 participants in an underserved community in Omaha for phase I sampling, 15 participants for beginning of phase II sampling. The participants from phase I received an education session and completed a survey. Phase II participants received six sessions of CAM education and treatments. The attitude, knowledge level, pain scores, and analgesics usages were collected and analyzed after six sessions. Results: Most health issues likely to be addressed with CAM were chronic pain. Participants increased communication about CAM practice with their providers after completion of phase II. Participants overall pain score and analgesics usage significantly decreased after six weeks of CAM education and treatment. Conclusion: After six sessions of CAM education and treatments, participant pain level and analgesic usage decreased significantly. This study is a good example of a successful intervention in an underserved community population about the effectiveness of CAM approaches on chronic pain and analgesic misuse management.