Pain can become debilitating when it is not addressed properly. Depending on what causes your pain, it can be chronic or acute. The treatments for it are also divided based on the methods used to soothe the pain. From exercising to using heating packs, your pain specialist can advise on a variety of ways to treat your pain. The techniques for managing pain are divided into active and passive pain management. Each of these two has its own characteristics and they can be blended by your healthcare professional to find the best way to address your pain.
Pain can be debilitating and frustrating and may interfere with sleep, work, and quality time with friends and family.
Pain management plans help people with chronic (long-lasting) pain feel better and improve their quality of life. Learn more about managing pain below.
Active pain management
One of the ways to soothe pain is to undergo physical exercises and participate in the pain management activity. This is an active management process and it consists of a number of activities one can do to relieve their pain.
Yoga is a popular active management technique, which combines the physical activity with the mental focus. It can strengthen your body and improve your flexibility, stamina, balance and coordination. By doing yoga you also learn to relax and control your stress, which contributes to pain relief.
Breathing techniques are also a form of active management used to relax and reduce the pain. As you breathe deeply, you can also teach your mind to manage the stress, which helps reduce the pain you feel.
Regular exercises might look like counterintuitive, but they are very effective in fighting pain. Depending on your doctor’s advice, you can engage in different levels of physical exercising, from simple walking to lifts and stretching. One of the types of chronic pain addressed with this active pain management technique is back pain. By strengthening your core, you lift some of the pressure from your spine, reducing the amount of back pain you feel.
Passive pain management
In the case of passive pain management the patient is not actively involved in the pain relief process. Instead, it is conducted by someone else, like the pain physician. Some of the methods used under this type of pain management are ultrasounds, massage, heat or ice packs.
Treatments conducted by a specialist include: acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, TENS therapy and hypnosis. Using pills or cortisone injections are also filed under this category.
Most of these treatments are used to fight pain on short term, while active programs are used to soothe pain on long term. In practice, the two methods are often merged, to help the patient function properly on short term and provide a solution for long term pain management. For example, your doctor can prescribe you pills or acupuncture to soothe your pain right away and stretching exercising to help you control your pain on the long term.
If you suffer from debilitating chronic pain or acute pain, you need to see a specialist, who can make you a plan to fight the pain and regain control over your life. You may also want to review your diet. Avoiding foods that cause inflammation can also impact pain.
A comprehensive pain management plan can help you feel better physically and mentally. Although it isn’t always possible to find total relief from pain, you may be able to reduce pain or learn to respond to it in a different way. Many people with chronic pain enjoy a better quality of life with a pain management program. Living with pain can be extremely challenging, both physically and mentally. If you’re in pain, talk to your provider about a personalized pain management plan.
The post The Difference between Passive and Active Pain Management appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Five Alternative Medical Systems (Alternatives)?
Ayurveda acupuncture and homeopathy are the five alternative medical systems.
Acupuncture uses fine needles placed in specific points of the body to stimulate qi flow throughout the body.
Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system for health care that balances the three major humors, water, fire, and air. It includes diet, exercise and herbal remedies. Massage is also included.
Homeopathic Medicine is derived from the Greek words homoios meaning similar and pathos meaning disease. Homeopaths believe every disease has natural causes. But not all symptoms. They treat people by prescribing minute doses of substances that cause similar symptoms to those experienced when the person is ill.
Energy Healing is also known for Reiki, EFT Rolfing Therapeutic Touch, Rolfing and Rolfing. This therapy is based in the belief we all have a connection to a universal life force called Ki. If this Ki flows freely though us, it makes us feel well. To restore harmony and balance between our spiritual, physical, and emotional selves, energy healers use touch and intention.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils derived from plants for therapeutic reasons. Aromatherapists believe scents have the ability to affect mood and behavior. The most common essential oil used in aromatherapy is lavender.
Alternative methods are used by people with cancer.
Patients with cancer face many difficulties when trying to manage their illness. They may have lost all hope or feel helpless as there is nothing they can do. Patients may feel pain, nausea or fatigue. They might also experience loss of strength, lack of appetite, or feeling helpless.
A majority of conventional treatments are ineffective against cancer cells. Cancer patients often seek alternative therapies such as complementary medicine. Nearly half of cancer patients use alternative medicines at some point during treatment, according to studies.
Cancer patients sometimes choose complementary medicine instead of chemotherapy because they think it will be easier to handle side effects. It may be because it’s less expensive.
The following are other reasons:
Some patients believe natural remedies could prevent a return of the disease.
Many people believe that natural remedies could improve the quality and quantity of their lives.
Others believe that natural remedies may reduce the chance of getting cancer.
People who are worried about side effects of chemotherapy should consider natural remedies for first-line treatment.
Is holistic healing legitimate?
The answer is both yes and no. Yes. Because many medicines have been proved effective against different diseases. Because they can’t cure every condition. It all depends what you mean “holistic.” It all depends on what you mean by “holistic.”
Some believe that holistic medicine is a newer form of medicine. This is simply not true. Although there were some natural remedies used by healers in ancient Egypt or Rome, these practitioners did not have scientific knowledge.
It wasn’t until after the Middle Ages that medical doctors began to study anatomy. The majority of Western countries had built public hospitals by the 19th century that allowed trained doctors to offer medical care.
Conventional medicine is still the most popular form of healthcare today. However, many still prefer to use alternative and complementary medicine. Many people find it more effective than prescription drugs.
For instance, massage therapy can make people feel more at ease than tranquilizers. Some prefer to eat healthy food over taking prescription medication. Others, however, find regular exercise to be a great way to keep their bodies functioning at peak performance.
Who uses alternative medicine and why?
People use alternative medicine for many reasons:
- They are keen to avoid surgery and harmful drugs.
- They believe natural remedies work more effectively.
- They prefer noninvasive treatments.
- They want to spend less.
- They feel safer using natural products.
- They want to have more control over their own healthcare decisions.
- They are ready to take charge of their health.
- They seek a more healthy environment.
- They seek less stress in daily life.
- They desire greater control over their doctors and their healthcare plans.
- They want their children to receive a better education.
- They desire healthy food for their families and themselves.
- They need safe and effective medications.
Statistics
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- A sociological perspective on the rise and fall of complementary and alternate medicine – PubMed
- PubMed: Holistic medicine.
webmd.com
cam.cancer.gov
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary & Integrative Health Approaches
- What’s in the Name of Complementary and Alternative Health?
How To
What are the Advances and Shortcomings of Holistic Medicine.
Holistic medicine is a form of holistic medicine that emphasizes the importance mind, body, spirit and environment in the healing process. It was first developed by Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936), and his first book, The Doctor’s Book of Mind Cure in 1924. He relied on simple techniques like visualization, meditation, and hypnosis. People with stress, anxiety, depression or pain experienced this treatment. In addition, this kind of therapy helps patients cope with their problems and improve their quality of life.
Although holistic therapies are still practiced today, they have lost popularity because of the lack of evidence supporting their effectiveness. Some studies do show that these therapies can be used to reduce chronic conditions like arthritis, cancer and heart disease.
Advances and shortcomings of holistic medicine are:
- Lack of scientific evidence. Only a few well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluate the benefits of holistic therapies. Positive results are most common in observational studies.
- Comparable to traditional medicine, alternative medicines are less expensive. Alternative medicines are often cheaper than conventional ones, especially if the patient follows an organic diet.
- Patients are not under any pressure to adhere to the prescribed protocol.
- Many doctors recommend complementary treatments even though they may not prescribe them.
- Many holistic therapies can be used alongside conventional medicine. For example, acupuncture is usually done along with medication or surgery.
- Alternative therapies are believed to be more effective than conventional medicine.
- Alternative medicines can be considered more natural than conventional drugs.
- Many patients take complementary treatments to supplement their lifestyle changes. They not only want their health to be good, but they also want to have fun with their lives.
- Patients who use holistic treatments are generally healthier.
- The popularity of holistic therapies is growing among seniors.
- Additional research is needed on complementary treatments.
- Research has shown that many people would prefer to explore alternative treatment options before visiting a doctor.
- Doctors need to understand that not all patients will benefit from alternative treatments.
- Holistic treatments should be part of our culture and education system.
- Holistic treatments might not be for everyone.
- We must learn how to teach patients about different therapies so that they can make informed decisions.
- Holistic treatments aren’t only for hippies.
- Holistic treatments cannot cure certain diseases.
- Sometimes, holistic treatments can be dangerous.
- Specific conditions may benefit from holistic treatment.
- Holistic therapies are highly effective.
- Holistic treatments are based in ancient knowledge.
- Holistic treatments can be easy to learn.
- It can be difficult to learn holistic therapies.
- Holistic therapies are difficult to learn.
- Holistic treatments can be expensive.
- Holistic treatments can be quite expensive.
- Holistic treatment is less costly than conventional medicine.
- Holistic therapies are more costly than traditional medicine.
****
Holistic Medicine–A Brief History
Holistic medicine is a system of healing that focuses on treating the whole person instead of just their symptoms. It covers all aspects of the body, including emotional, mental and spiritual as well as occupational, environmental, cultural and lifestyle influences. It promotes prevention over cure.
The first holistic medical school was established at Bastyr University in Seattle in 1972. After the 1996 publication of “Spontaneous Healing,” Dr. Andrew Weil’s book, holistic medicine began to take root. Dr. David Williams founded the American Holistic Medical Association, Dr. Michael Murray co-founded it in 1997. There are many holistic medicine schools around the world today, including Bastyr University and Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons.
The World Health Organization designated holistic medicine as one the five top trends in healthcare in 2013. This trend integrates conventional care with complementary therapies like homeopathy, acupuncture or herbalism, massage, therapy, reiki, yoga and meditation. This integration aims to provide safe, effective, patient-centered care while minimizing side effects and costs.
Holistic medicine works because of the interconnectedness of our body, mind, and spirit. When any of these three parts are out of balance, illness occurs. Let’s take, for instance:
Anxiety and stress can make you anxious, causing you to feel tense or out of balance. Cortisol is a hormone which increases inflammation. You feel weak, tired, and sick as a result.
When your emotions run high, you experience negative thoughts and feelings like anger, fear, grief, and sadness. These create stress in your brain. If left untreated, this stress causes your body to produce adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline stimulates your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. Cortisol can affect your nervous system, immune system, and digestive tract. Both hormones cause fatigue, muscle tension, headaches, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and other health problems.
When your spirit is depressed, you lose hope and faith in life. You might also experience low self-esteem, confidence, and lack of self-confidence. This can lead to poor eating habits, unhealthy relationships, and low energy. Healthy spirits make you happy, positive, joyful, peaceful, and optimistic.
Differentiation between alternative and allopathic medicine
Allopathic medicine is based upon the scientific method. To diagnose patients, doctors use xrays, MRIs and CAT scans. If needed, they may prescribe medication or perform surgery. Allopathic doctors believe their knowledge of human anatomy and the best ways to treat diseases. Alternative medicine includes herbs, vitamins, minerals and exercise. It also includes spiritual healing, emotional support, and diet. Alternative medicine does not have a defined definition. It is sometimes called natural medicine, integrative medical, or complementary medicine. Some refer to it as traditional, naturopathic, or CAM.
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This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: Dick Benson
Title: The Difference between Passive and Active Pain Management
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/conditions/pain/passive-and-aggressive-pain-management/
Published Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2023 20:08:46 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Five Alternative Medical Systems (Alternatives)?
Ayurveda acupuncture and homeopathy are the five alternative medical systems.
Acupuncture uses fine needles placed in specific points of the body to stimulate qi flow throughout the body.
Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system for health care that balances the three major humors, water, fire, and air. It includes diet, exercise and herbal remedies. Massage is also included.
Homeopathic Medicine is derived from the Greek words homoios meaning similar and pathos meaning disease. Homeopaths believe every disease has natural causes. But not all symptoms. They treat people by prescribing minute doses of substances that cause similar symptoms to those experienced when the person is ill.
Energy Healing is also known for Reiki, EFT Rolfing Therapeutic Touch, Rolfing and Rolfing. This therapy is based in the belief we all have a connection to a universal life force called Ki. If this Ki flows freely though us, it makes us feel well. To restore harmony and balance between our spiritual, physical, and emotional selves, energy healers use touch and intention.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils derived from plants for therapeutic reasons. Aromatherapists believe scents have the ability to affect mood and behavior. The most common essential oil used in aromatherapy is lavender.
Alternative methods are used by people with cancer.
Patients with cancer face many difficulties when trying to manage their illness. They may have lost all hope or feel helpless as there is nothing they can do. Patients may feel pain, nausea or fatigue. They might also experience loss of strength, lack of appetite, or feeling helpless.
A majority of conventional treatments are ineffective against cancer cells. Cancer patients often seek alternative therapies such as complementary medicine. Nearly half of cancer patients use alternative medicines at some point during treatment, according to studies.
Cancer patients sometimes choose complementary medicine instead of chemotherapy because they think it will be easier to handle side effects. It may be because it’s less expensive.
The following are other reasons:
Some patients believe natural remedies could prevent a return of the disease.
Many people believe that natural remedies could improve the quality and quantity of their lives.
Others believe that natural remedies may reduce the chance of getting cancer.
People who are worried about side effects of chemotherapy should consider natural remedies for first-line treatment.
Is holistic healing legitimate?
The answer is both yes and no. Yes. Because many medicines have been proved effective against different diseases. Because they can’t cure every condition. It all depends what you mean “holistic.” It all depends on what you mean by “holistic.”
Some believe that holistic medicine is a newer form of medicine. This is simply not true. Although there were some natural remedies used by healers in ancient Egypt or Rome, these practitioners did not have scientific knowledge.
It wasn’t until after the Middle Ages that medical doctors began to study anatomy. The majority of Western countries had built public hospitals by the 19th century that allowed trained doctors to offer medical care.
Conventional medicine is still the most popular form of healthcare today. However, many still prefer to use alternative and complementary medicine. Many people find it more effective than prescription drugs.
For instance, massage therapy can make people feel more at ease than tranquilizers. Some prefer to eat healthy food over taking prescription medication. Others, however, find regular exercise to be a great way to keep their bodies functioning at peak performance.
Who uses alternative medicine and why?
People use alternative medicine for many reasons:
- They are keen to avoid surgery and harmful drugs.
- They believe natural remedies work more effectively.
- They prefer noninvasive treatments.
- They want to spend less.
- They feel safer using natural products.
- They want to have more control over their own healthcare decisions.
- They are ready to take charge of their health.
- They seek a more healthy environment.
- They seek less stress in daily life.
- They desire greater control over their doctors and their healthcare plans.
- They want their children to receive a better education.
- They desire healthy food for their families and themselves.
- They need safe and effective medications.
Statistics
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- A sociological perspective on the rise and fall of complementary and alternate medicine – PubMed
- PubMed: Holistic medicine.
webmd.com
cam.cancer.gov
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary & Integrative Health Approaches
- What’s in the Name of Complementary and Alternative Health?
How To
What are the Advances and Shortcomings of Holistic Medicine.
Holistic medicine is a form of holistic medicine that emphasizes the importance mind, body, spirit and environment in the healing process. It was first developed by Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936), and his first book, The Doctor’s Book of Mind Cure in 1924. He relied on simple techniques like visualization, meditation, and hypnosis. People with stress, anxiety, depression or pain experienced this treatment. In addition, this kind of therapy helps patients cope with their problems and improve their quality of life.
Although holistic therapies are still practiced today, they have lost popularity because of the lack of evidence supporting their effectiveness. Some studies do show that these therapies can be used to reduce chronic conditions like arthritis, cancer and heart disease.
Advances and shortcomings of holistic medicine are:
- Lack of scientific evidence. Only a few well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluate the benefits of holistic therapies. Positive results are most common in observational studies.
- Comparable to traditional medicine, alternative medicines are less expensive. Alternative medicines are often cheaper than conventional ones, especially if the patient follows an organic diet.
- Patients are not under any pressure to adhere to the prescribed protocol.
- Many doctors recommend complementary treatments even though they may not prescribe them.
- Many holistic therapies can be used alongside conventional medicine. For example, acupuncture is usually done along with medication or surgery.
- Alternative therapies are believed to be more effective than conventional medicine.
- Alternative medicines can be considered more natural than conventional drugs.
- Many patients take complementary treatments to supplement their lifestyle changes. They not only want their health to be good, but they also want to have fun with their lives.
- Patients who use holistic treatments are generally healthier.
- The popularity of holistic therapies is growing among seniors.
- Additional research is needed on complementary treatments.
- Research has shown that many people would prefer to explore alternative treatment options before visiting a doctor.
- Doctors need to understand that not all patients will benefit from alternative treatments.
- Holistic treatments should be part of our culture and education system.
- Holistic treatments might not be for everyone.
- We must learn how to teach patients about different therapies so that they can make informed decisions.
- Holistic treatments aren’t only for hippies.
- Holistic treatments cannot cure certain diseases.
- Sometimes, holistic treatments can be dangerous.
- Specific conditions may benefit from holistic treatment.
- Holistic therapies are highly effective.
- Holistic treatments are based in ancient knowledge.
- Holistic treatments can be easy to learn.
- It can be difficult to learn holistic therapies.
- Holistic therapies are difficult to learn.
- Holistic treatments can be expensive.
- Holistic treatments can be quite expensive.
- Holistic treatment is less costly than conventional medicine.
- Holistic therapies are more costly than traditional medicine.
****
Holistic Medicine–A Brief History
Holistic medicine is a system of healing that focuses on treating the whole person instead of just their symptoms. It covers all aspects of the body, including emotional, mental and spiritual as well as occupational, environmental, cultural and lifestyle influences. It promotes prevention over cure.
The first holistic medical school was established at Bastyr University in Seattle in 1972. After the 1996 publication of “Spontaneous Healing,” Dr. Andrew Weil’s book, holistic medicine began to take root. Dr. David Williams founded the American Holistic Medical Association, Dr. Michael Murray co-founded it in 1997. There are many holistic medicine schools around the world today, including Bastyr University and Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons.
The World Health Organization designated holistic medicine as one the five top trends in healthcare in 2013. This trend integrates conventional care with complementary therapies like homeopathy, acupuncture or herbalism, massage, therapy, reiki, yoga and meditation. This integration aims to provide safe, effective, patient-centered care while minimizing side effects and costs.
Holistic medicine works because of the interconnectedness of our body, mind, and spirit. When any of these three parts are out of balance, illness occurs. Let’s take, for instance:
Anxiety and stress can make you anxious, causing you to feel tense or out of balance. Cortisol is a hormone which increases inflammation. You feel weak, tired, and sick as a result.
When your emotions run high, you experience negative thoughts and feelings like anger, fear, grief, and sadness. These create stress in your brain. If left untreated, this stress causes your body to produce adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline stimulates your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. Cortisol can affect your nervous system, immune system, and digestive tract. Both hormones cause fatigue, muscle tension, headaches, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and other health problems.
When your spirit is depressed, you lose hope and faith in life. You might also experience low self-esteem, confidence, and lack of self-confidence. This can lead to poor eating habits, unhealthy relationships, and low energy. Healthy spirits make you happy, positive, joyful, peaceful, and optimistic.
Differentiation between alternative and allopathic medicine
Allopathic medicine is based upon the scientific method. To diagnose patients, doctors use xrays, MRIs and CAT scans. If needed, they may prescribe medication or perform surgery. Allopathic doctors believe their knowledge of human anatomy and the best ways to treat diseases. Alternative medicine includes herbs, vitamins, minerals and exercise. It also includes spiritual healing, emotional support, and diet. Alternative medicine does not have a defined definition. It is sometimes called natural medicine, integrative medical, or complementary medicine. Some refer to it as traditional, naturopathic, or CAM.
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