Biomaterial Database

Relieving chronic pain. 1984

J R Witt

The article discusses four methods of relieving chronic pain: (1) the therapeutic touch; (2) myotherapy, erasing the body's trigger points; (3) guided imagery; and (4) relaxation combined with rhythmic breathing. Nurses familiar with these pain-relieving techniques are better equipped than others to care for and help chronic-pain patients. These methods are suggested for the following reasons. They: (a) are well within the scope of the average nurse's qualifications to use; (b) do not require any special equipment; (c) may be tried without the attending physician's or surgeon's approval; (d) will not interfere with whatever medical treatment the patient may be undergoing; and (e) do not require the patient's official informed consent.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010148	Pain, Intractable	Persistent pain that is refractory to some or all forms of treatment.	Refractory Pain,Intractable Pain,Intractable Pains,Pain, Refractory,Pains, Intractable,Pains, Refractory,Refractory Pains
D012064	Relaxation Therapy	Treatment to improve one's health condition by using techniques that can reduce PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS; PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS; or both.	Relaxation Techniques,Therapeutic Relaxation,Ecotherapy,Nature Therapy,Relaxation Technics,Therapy, Relaxation,Ecotherapies,Nature Therapies,Relaxation Technic,Relaxation Technique,Relaxation, Therapeutic,Technic, Relaxation,Technique, Relaxation,Techniques, Relaxation,Therapy, Nature
D002908	Chronic Disease	Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2).	Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014110	Touch	Sensation of making physical contact with objects, animate or inanimate. Tactile stimuli are detected by MECHANORECEPTORS in the skin and mucous membranes.	Tactile Sense,Sense of Touch,Taction,Sense, Tactile,Senses, Tactile,Tactile Senses,Tactions,Touch Sense,Touch Senses
D015670	Acupuncture Therapy	Treatment of disease by inserting needles along specific pathways or meridians. The placement varies with the disease being treated. It is sometimes used in conjunction with heat, moxibustion, acupressure, or electric stimulation.	Acupotomy,Acupuncture Treatment,Pharmacoacupuncture Therapy,Pharmacoacupuncture Treatment,Therapy, Acupuncture,Acupotomies,Acupuncture Treatments,Therapy, Pharmacoacupuncture,Treatment, Acupuncture,Treatment, Pharmacoacupuncture
D059408	Pain Management	A form of therapy that employs a coordinated and interdisciplinary approach for easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of those experiencing pain.	Management, Pain,Managements, Pain,Pain Managements