Pain management

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Active and inactive μ-opioid receptors<ref name="pmid10683246">Template:Cite journal</ref>

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Image of visual pain

Pain management is an aspect of medicine and health care involving relief of pain (pain relief, analgesia, pain control) in various dimensions, from acute and simple to chronic and challenging. Most physicians and other health professionals provide some pain control in the normal course of their practice, and for the more complex instances of pain, they also call on additional help from a specific medical specialty devoted to pain, which is called pain medicine.

Pain management often uses a multidisciplinary approach for easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of anyone experiencing pain,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> whether acute pain or chronic pain. Relieving pain (analgesia) is typically an acute process, while managing chronic pain involves additional complexities and ideally a multidisciplinary approach.

A typical multidisciplinary pain management team may include: medical practitioners, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, physician assistants, nurses, and dentists.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The team may also include other mental health specialists and massage therapists. Pain sometimes resolves quickly once the underlying trauma or pathology has healed, and is treated by one practitioner, with drugs such as pain relievers (analgesics) and occasionally also anxiolytics.

Effective management of chronic (long-term) pain, however, frequently requires the coordinated efforts of the pain management team.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Effective pain management does not always mean total eradication of all pain. Rather, it often means achieving adequate quality of life in the presence of pain, through any combination of lessening the pain and/or better understanding it and being able to live happily despite it. Medicine treats injuries and diseases to support and speed healing. It treats distressing symptoms such as pain and discomfort to reduce any suffering during treatment, healing, and dying.

The task of medicine is to relieve suffering under three circumstances. The first is when a painful injury or pathology is resistant to treatment and persists. The second is when pain persists after the injury or pathology has healed. Finally, the third circumstance is when medical science cannot identify the cause of pain. Treatment approaches to chronic pain include pharmacological measures, such as analgesics (pain killer drugs), antidepressants, and anticonvulsants; interventional procedures, physical therapy, physical exercise, application of ice or heat; and psychological measures, such as biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy. Template:Citation needed

Defining pain

Template:See also In the nursing profession, one common definition of pain is any problem that is "whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever the experiencing person says it does".<ref>Template:Cite bookTemplate:Pn</ref>

Pain management includes patient and communication about the pain problem.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> To define the pain problem, a health care provider will likely ask questions such as:<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" />

• How intense is the pain?
• How does the pain feel?
• Where is the pain?
• What, if anything, makes the pain lessen?
• What, if anything, makes the pain increase?
• When did the pain start?

After asking such questions, the health care provider will have a description of the pain.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" /> Pain is often rated on a scale from 1 to 10, known as the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS);<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Rating Pain Level

• 0 No Pain
• 1 – 3 Mild Pain (nagging, annoying, interfering little with ADLs)
• 4 – 6 Moderate Pain (interferes significantly with ADLs)
• 7 – 10 Severe Pain (disabling; unable to perform ADLs)

This pain scale is based on a person reporting their pain intensity, with 0 representing no pain experienced and 10 indicating the worst possible pain.<ref name=":10">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The NRS is a common tool used by clinicians and in research to understand personal pain levels and monitor changes over time.<ref name=":10" /> In the clinical context, pain management will then be used to address that pain.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" />

Adverse effects

There are many types of pain management. Each have their own benefits, drawbacks, and limits.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" />

A common challenge in pain management is communication between the health care provider and the person experiencing pain.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" /> People experiencing pain may have difficulty recognizing or describing what they feel and how intense it is.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" /> Health care providers and patients may have difficulty communicating with each other about how pain responds to treatments.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" /> There is a risk in many types of pain management for the patient to take treatment that is less effective than needed or which causes other difficulties and side effects.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" /> Some treatments for pain can be harmful if overused.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" /> A goal of pain management for the patient and their health care provider is to identify the amount of treatment needed to address the pain without going beyond that limit.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" />

Another problem with pain management is that pain is the body's natural way of communicating a problem.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" /> Pain is supposed to resolve as the body heals itself with time and pain management.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" /> Sometimes pain management covers a problem, and the patient might be less aware that they need treatment for a deeper problem.<ref name="Consumer Reports pain relief April 2016" />

Physical approaches

Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), a medical specialty, uses a range of physical techniques, such as heat and electrotherapy, as well as therapeutic exercises and behavioral therapy in the management of pain.Template:Citation needed PM&R techniques are usually part of an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary program that might also include pharmaceuticals.<ref name="Geertzen JH, Van Wilgen CP.">Template:Cite journal</ref> Spa therapy has shown positive effects in reducing pain among patients with chronic low back pain, but its evidence base is limited.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Studies have shown that kinesiotape can be used to reduce chronic low back pain.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The US Centers for Disease Control recommended that physical therapy and exercise be prescribed as first-line treatments (rather than opioids) for multiple causes of chronic pain in 2016 guidelines.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref> Applicable disorders include chronic low back pain, osteoarthritis of the hip and knee, and fibromyalgia.<ref name=":0" /> Exercise alone or with other rehabilitation disciplines (including psychotherapeutic approaches) can have a positive effects on pain.<ref name=":0" /> Besides improving the experience of pain itself, exercise can also improve individuals' well-being and general health.<ref name=":0" />

Manipulative and mobilization therapies are considered safe interventions for low back pain, with manipulation potentially offering a larger therapeutic effect.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Specifically in chronic low back pain, education about the way the brain processes pain in conjunction with routine physiotherapy interventions may provide short-term relief of disability and pain.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Exercise interventions

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Aerobic exercise can help when it comes to pain management

Physical activity interventions, such as tai chi, yoga, and Pilates, promote harmony of the mind and body through total body awareness. These practices incorporate breathing techniques, meditation, and a wide variety of movements while training the body to perform functionally by increasing strength, flexibility, and range of motion.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite journal</ref> Physical activity can also benefit chronic sufferers by reducing inflammation and sensitivity and boosting overall energy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Physical activity and exercise may improve chronic pain (pain lasting more than 12 weeks),<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and overall quality of life, while minimizing the need for pain medications.<ref name=":1" /> More specifically, walking has been effective in improving pain management in chronic low back pain.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

TENS

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a self-operated portable device intended to help regulate and control chronic pain via electrical impulses.<ref name=":24">Template:Cite journal</ref> Limited research has explored the effectiveness of TENS in relation to pain management of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic autoimmune neurological disorder, which consists of the demyelination of the nerve axons and the disruption of nerve conduction velocity and efficiency.<ref name=":24" /> In one study, electrodes were placed over the lumbar spine, and participants received treatment twice a day and at any time when they experienced a painful episode.<ref name=":24" /> This study found that TENS would benefit MS patients with localized or limited symptoms in one limb.<ref name=":24" /> The research is mixed with whether or not TENS helps manage pain in MS patients.Template:Cn

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is ineffective for lower back pain. However, it might help with diabetic neuropathy<ref name="pmid20042705">Template:Cite journal</ref> as well as other illnesses. Template:Citation needed

tDCS

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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive technique of brain stimulation that can modulate activity in specific brain cortex regions, and it involves the application of low-intensity (up to 2 mA) constant direct current to the scalp through electrodes in order to modulate the excitability of large cortical areas.<ref name=":12">Template:Cite journal</ref> tDCS may have a role in pain assessment by contributing to efforts in distinguishing between somatic and affective aspects of pain experience.<ref name=":12" /> Zaghi and colleagues (2011) found that the motor cortex, when stimulated with tDCS, increases the threshold for both the perception of non-painful and painful stimuli.<ref name=":12" /> Although there is a greater need for research examining the mechanism of electrical stimulation in pain treatment, one theory suggests that the changes in thalamic activity may be due to the influence of motor cortex stimulation on the decrease in pain sensations.<ref name=":12" />

Concerning MS, a study found that daily tDCS sessions resulted in an individual's subjective report of pain decreased when compared to a sham condition.<ref name=":24" /> In addition, the study found a similar improvement at 1 to 3 days before and after each tDCS session.<ref name=":24" />

Fibromyalgia is a disorder in which an individual experiences dysfunctional brain activity, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas.<ref name=":32">Template:Cite journal</ref> Research examining tDCS for pain treatment in fibromyalgia has found initial evidence for pain decreases.<ref name=":32" /> Specifically, the stimulation of the primary motor cortex resulted in significantly greater pain improvement in comparison to the control group (e.g., sham stimulation, stimulation of the DLPFC).<ref name=":32" /> However, this effect decreased after treatment ended, but remained significant for three weeks following the extinction of treatment.<ref name=":32" />

Acupuncture

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Acupuncture can sometimes help to relieve pain

Acupuncture involves the insertion and manipulation of needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes. An analysis of the 13 highest quality studies of pain treatment with acupuncture, published in January 2009 in the British Medical Journal, was unable to quantify the difference in the effect on pain of real, sham and no acupuncture.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> A systematic review in 2019 reported that acupuncture injection therapy was an effective treatment for patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain, and is widely used in Southeast Asian countries.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Light therapy

Research has found evidence that light therapy such as low level laser therapy is an effective therapy for relieving low back pain.<ref name="Chou">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Instead of thermal therapy, where reactant energy is originated through heat, Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) utilizes photochemical reactions requiring light to function.Template:Citation needed Photochemical reactions need light in order to function. Photons, the energy created from light, from these photochemical reactions provide the reactants with energy to embed in muscles, thus managing pain.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> One study conducted by Stausholm et al. showed that at certain wavelengths, LLLT reduced pain in participants with knee osteoarthritis.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> LLLT stimulates a variety of cell types, which in turn can help treat tendonitis, arthritis, and pain relating to muscles.Template:Fact

Sound therapy

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Audioanalgesia and music therapy are both examples of using auditory stimuli to manage pain or other distress. They are generally viewed as insufficient when used alone but also as helpful adjuncts to other forms of therapy.Template:Cn

Interventional procedures

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Interventional radiology procedures for pain control, typically used for chronic back pain, include epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, neurolytic blocks, spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal drug delivery system implants.

Pulsed radiofrequency, neuromodulation, direct introduction of medication and nerve ablation may be used to target either the tissue structures and organ/systems responsible for persistent nociception or the nociceptors from the structures implicated as the source of chronic pain.<ref name="Varrassi G, Paladini A">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Meglio M.">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Boswell MV, Trescott AM">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Romanelli P, Esposito V">Template:Cite journal</ref> Radiofrequency treatment has been seen to improve pain in patients with facet joint low back pain. However, continuous radiofrequency is more effective in managing pain than pulsed radiofrequency.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

An intrathecal pump is sometimes used to deliver very small quantities of medications directly to the spinal fluid. This is similar to epidural infusions used in labour and postoperatively. The major differences are that it is much more common for the drug to be delivered into the spinal fluid (intrathecal) rather than epidurally, and the pump can be fully implanted under the skin. Template:Medical citation needed

A spinal cord stimulator is an implantable medical device that creates electric impulses and applies them near the dorsal surface of the spinal cord, providing a paresthesia ("tingling") sensation that alters the perception of pain by the patient.Template:Medical citation needed

Intra-articular ozone therapy

Intra-articular ozone therapy has been seen to alleviate chronic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis efficiently.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Psychological approaches

Acceptance and commitment therapy

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on behavior change rather than symptom change, includes methods designed to alter the context around psychological experiences rather than to alter the makeup of the experiences, and emphasizes the use of experiential behavior change methods.<ref name=":02">Template:Cite journal</ref> The central process in ACT revolves around psychological flexibility, which in turn includes processes of acceptance, awareness, a present-oriented quality in interacting with experiences, an ability to persist or change behavior, and an ability to be guided by one's values.<ref name=":02" /> ACT has an increased evidence base for range of health and behavior problems, including chronic pain.<ref name=":02" /> ACT influences patients to adopt a tandem process to acceptance and change, which allows for a greater flexibility in the focus of treatment.<ref name=":02" />

Recent research has applied ACT successfully to chronic pain in older adults due to in part of its direction from individual values and being highly customizable to any stage of life.<ref name=":02" /> In line with the therapeutic model of ACT, significant increases in process variables, pain acceptance, and mindfulness were also observed in a study applying ACT to chronic pain in older adults.<ref name=":02" /> In addition, these primary results suggested that an ACT based treatment may significantly improve levels of physical disability, psychosocial disability, and depression post-treatment and at a three-month follow-up for older adults with chronic pain.<ref name=":02" />

Cognitive behavioral therapy

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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients with pain to understand the relationship between their pain, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. A main goal in treatment is cognitive (thinking, reasoning or remembering) restructuring to encourage helpful thought patterns.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This will target healthy activities such as regular exercise and pacing. Lifestyle changes are also trained to improve sleep patterns and to develop better coping skills for pain and other stressors using various techniques (e.g., relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, and even biofeedback).Template:Cn

Studies have demonstrated the usefulness of cognitive behavioral therapy in the management of chronic low back pain, producing significant decreases in physical and psychosocial disability.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> CBT is significantly more effective than standard care in treatment of people with body-wide pain, like fibromyalgia. Evidence for the usefulness of CBT in the management of adult chronic pain is generally poorly understood, due partly to the proliferation of techniques of doubtful quality, and the poor quality of reporting in clinical trials.Template:Citation needed The crucial content of individual interventions has not been isolated and the important contextual elements, such as therapist training and development of treatment manuals, have not been determined. The widely varying nature of the resulting data makes useful systematic review and meta-analysis within the field very difficult.<ref name="Eccleston1">Template:Cite journal</ref>

In 2020, a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated the clinical effectiveness of psychological therapies for the management of adult chronic pain (excluding headaches). There is no evidence that behaviour therapy (BT) is effective for reducing this type of pain, however BT may be useful for improving a person's mood immediately after treatment. This improvement appears to be small, and is short term in duration.<ref name=":7">Template:Cite journal</ref> CBT may have a small positive short-term effect on pain immediately following treatment. CBT may also have a small effect on reducing disability and potential catastrophizing that may be associated with adult chronic pain. These benefits do not appear to last very long following the therapy.<ref name=":7" /> CBT may contribute towards improving the mood of an adult who experiences chronic pain, which could possibility be maintained for longer periods of time.<ref name=":7" />

For children and adolescents, a review of RCTs evaluating the effectiveness of psychological therapy for the management of chronic and recurrent pain found that psychological treatments are effective in reducing pain when people under 18 years old have headaches.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> This beneficial effect may be maintained for at least three months following the therapy.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite journal</ref> Psychological treatments may also improve pain control for children or adolescents who experience pain not related to headaches. It is not known if psychological therapy improves a child or adolescents mood and the potential for disability related to their chronic pain.<ref name=":3" />

Hypnosis

A 2007 review of 13 studies found evidence for the efficacy of hypnosis in the reduction of pain in some conditions. However the studies had some limitations like small study sizes, bringing up issues of power to detect group differences, and lacking credible controls for placebo or expectation. The authors concluded that "although the findings provide support for the general applicability of hypnosis in the treatment of chronic pain, considerably more research will be needed to fully determine the effects of hypnosis for different chronic-pain conditions."<ref name="Elkins2007">Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Rp

Hypnosis has reduced the pain of some harmful medical procedures in children and adolescents.<ref name="Accardi">Template:Cite journal</ref> In clinical trials addressing other patient groups, it has significantly reduced pain compared to no treatment or some other non-hypnotic interventions.<ref name="APA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The effects of self hypnosis on chronic pain are roughly comparable to those of progressive muscle relaxation.<ref name="Jensen">Template:Cite journal</ref>

A 2019 systematic review of 85 studies showed it to be significantly effective at reducing pain for people with high and medium levels of suggestibility, but of minimal effectiveness for people with low suggestibility. However, high quality clinical data is needed to generalize to the whole chronic pain population.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Mindfulness meditation

A 2013 meta-analysis of studies that used techniques centered around the concept of mindfulness, concluded, "that MBIs [mindfulness-based interventions] decrease the intensity of pain for chronic pain patients."<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> A 2019 review of studies of brief mindfulness-based interventions (BMBI) concluded that BMBI are not recommended as a first-line treatment and could not confirm their efficacy in managing chronic or acute pain.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Mindfulness-based pain management

Mindfulness-based pain management (MBPM) is a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) providing specific applications for people living with chronic pain and illness.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=":22">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Adapting the core concepts and practices of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), MBPM includes a distinctive emphasis on the practice of 'loving-kindness', and has been seen as sensitive to concerns about removing mindfulness teaching from its original ethical framework within Buddhism.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":8">Template:Cite journal</ref> It was developed by Vidyamala Burch and is delivered through the programs of Breathworks.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":22" />

Pain reprocessing therapy

Pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) teaches people to shift their beliefs about the causes of pain and to perceive pain signals sent to the brain as less threatening.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":11">Template:Cite journal</ref> PRT is sometimes seen as one component of an integrative psychological treatment for centralized pain<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and may also be used for other neuroplastic symptoms such as chronic dizziness.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Therapists help participants do painful movements while helping them re-evaluate the sensations they experience. The treatment also includes training in managing emotions that may make pain feel worse.<ref name=":2" /> One randomized clinical trial with longitudinal functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study showed large reductions in chronic back pain with effects continuing at 1-year follow-up.<ref name=":11" /> Interviews with patients receiving PRT reflected three themes contributing to success included relating to pain differently, establishing links between pain, emptions, and stress which led to resolving difficult emotions, and social connections with therapists and peers.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Medications

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a pain ladder for managing pain relief with pharmaceutical medicine. It was first described for use in cancer pain. However it can be used by medical professionals as a general principle when managing any type of pain.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref><ref name="HoMBRG">Template:Cite book</ref> In the treatment of chronic pain, the three-step WHO Analgesic Ladder provides guidelines for selecting the appropriate medicine. The exact medications recommended will vary by country and the individual treatment center, but the following gives an example of the WHO approach to treating chronic pain with medications. If, at any point, treatment fails to provide adequate pain relief, then the doctor and patient move onto the next step.Template:Cn

Common types of pain and typical drug management
Pain type	typical initial drug treatment	comments
headache	paracetamol/acetaminophen, NSAIDs<ref name="BBDchronicpain">Template:Citation</ref>	doctor consultation is appropriate if headaches are severe, persistent, accompanied by fever, vomiting, or speech or balance problems;<ref name="BBDchronicpain" /> self-medication should be limited to two weeks<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
migraine	paracetamol, NSAIDs<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	triptans are used when the others do not work, or when migraines are frequent or severe<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
menstrual cramps	NSAIDs<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	some NSAIDs are marketed for cramps, but any NSAID would work<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
minor trauma, such as a bruise, abrasions, sprain	paracetamol, NSAIDs<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	opioids not recommended<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
severe trauma, such as a wound, burn, bone fracture, or severe sprain	opioids<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	more than two weeks of pain requiring opioid treatment is unusual<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
strain or pulled muscle	NSAIDs, muscle relaxants<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	if inflammation is involved, NSAIDs may work better; short-term use only<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
minor pain after surgery	paracetamol, NSAIDs<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	opioids rarely needed<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
severe pain after surgery	opioids<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	combinations of opioids may be prescribed if pain is severe<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
muscle ache	paracetamol, NSAIDs<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	if inflammation involved, NSAIDs may work better.<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
toothache or pain from dental procedures	paracetamol, NSAIDs<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	this should be short term use; opioids may be necessary for severe pain<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
kidney stone pain	paracetamol, NSAIDs, opioids<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	opioids usually needed if pain is severe.<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
pain due to heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease	antacid, H2 antagonist, proton-pump inhibitor<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	heartburn lasting more than a week requires medical attention; aspirin and NSAIDs should be avoided<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
chronic back pain	paracetamol, NSAIDs<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	opioids may be necessary if other drugs do not control pain and pain is persistent<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
osteoarthritis pain	paracetamol, NSAIDs<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	medical attention is recommended if pain persists.<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />
fibromyalgia	antidepressant, anticonvulsant<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />	evidence suggests that opioids are not effective in treating fibromyalgia<ref name="BBDchronicpain" />

Mild pain

Paracetamol (acetaminophen), or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen will relieve mild pain.<ref>Template:MedlinePlusEncyclopedia</ref>

Mild to moderate pain

Paracetamol, an NSAID or paracetamol in a combination product with a weak opioid such as tramadol, may provide greater relief than their separate use. A combination of opioid with acetaminophen can be frequently used such as Percocet, Vicodin, or Norco. Template:Citation needed

Moderate to severe pain

When treating moderate to severe pain, the type of the pain, acute or chronic, needs to be considered. The type of pain can result in different medications being prescribed. Certain medications may work better for acute pain, others for chronic pain, and some may work equally well on both. Acute pain medication is for rapid onset of pain such as from an inflicted trauma or to treat post-operative pain. Chronic pain medication is for alleviating long-lasting, ongoing pain.Template:Cn

Morphine is the gold standard to which all narcotics are compared. Semi-synthetic derivatives of morphine such as hydromorphone (Dilaudid), oxymorphone (Numorphan, Opana), nicomorphine (Vilan), hydromorphinol and others vary in such ways as duration of action, side effect profile and milligramme potency. Fentanyl has the benefit of less histamine release and thus fewer side effects. It can also be administered via transdermal patch which is convenient for chronic pain management. In addition to the transdermal patch and injectable fentanyl formulations, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved various immediate release fentanyl products for breakthrough cancer pain (Actiq/OTFC/Fentora/Onsolis/Subsys/Lazanda/Abstral). Oxycodone is used across the Americas and Europe for relief of serious chronic pain. Its main slow-release formula is known as OxyContin. Short-acting tablets, capsules, syrups and ampules which contain oxycodone are available making it suitable for acute intractable pain or breakthrough pain. Diamorphine, and methadone are used less frequently.Template:Citation needed Clinical studies have shown that transdermal buprenorphine is effective at reducing chronic pain.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Pethidine, known in North America as meperidine, is not recommended Template:By whom for pain management due to its low potency, short duration of action, and toxicity associated with repeated use.Template:Citation needed Pentazocine, dextromoramide and dipipanone are also not recommended in new patients except for acute pain where other analgesics are not tolerated or are inappropriate, for pharmacological and misuse-related reasons. In some countries potent synthetics such as piritramide and ketobemidone are used for severe pain. Tapentadol is a newer agent introduced in the last decade.Template:Cn

For moderate pain, tramadol, codeine, dihydrocodeine, and hydrocodone are used, with nicocodeine, ethylmorphine and propoxyphene or dextropropoxyphene (less commonly).

Drugs of other types can be used to help opioids combat certain types of pain. Amitriptyline is prescribed for chronic muscular pain in the arms, legs, neck and lower back with an opiate, or sometimes without it or with an NSAID.

While opiates are often used in the management of chronic pain, high doses are associated with an increased risk of opioid overdose.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

In the U.S., the illegal use of opioids has led to an increasingly high threshold of prescribing analgesics to patients, and as a result minor pain killers were prescribed. Some medical analysts have criticized that development as it might cause premature deaths among cancer patients.<ref>"Opioid Abuse in Chronic Pain — Misconceptions and Mitigation Strategies≥" ma-assn.org. Retrieved May 10 2025.</ref>

Opioids

In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration stated: "According to the National Institutes of Health, studies have shown that properly managed medical use of opioid analgesic compounds (taken exactly as prescribed) is safe, can manage pain effectively, and rarely causes addiction."<ref>FDA.gov "A Guide to Safe Use of Pain Medicine" February 23, 2009</ref> In 2013, the FDA stated that "abuse and misuse of these products have created a serious and growing public health problem".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Opioid medications can provide short, intermediate or long acting analgesia depending upon the specific properties of the medication and whether it is formulated as an extended release drug. Opioid medications may be administered orally, by injection, via nasal mucosa or oral mucosa, rectally, transdermally, intravenously, epidurally and intrathecally. In chronic pain conditions that are opioid responsive, a combination of a long-acting (OxyContin, MS Contin, Opana ER, Exalgo and Methadone) or extended release medication is often prescribed along with a shorter-acting medication (oxycodone, morphine or hydromorphone) for breakthrough pain, or exacerbations.

Most opioid treatment used by patients outside of healthcare settings is oral (tablet, capsule or liquid), but suppositories and skin patches can be prescribed. An opioid injection is rarely needed for patients with chronic pain.

Although opioids are strong analgesics, they do not provide complete analgesia regardless of whether the pain is acute or chronic in origin. Opioids are effective analgesics in chronic malignant pain and modestly effective in nonmalignant pain management.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> However, there are associated adverse effects, especially during the commencement or change in dose. When opioids are used for prolonged periods drug tolerance will occur. Other risks can include chemical dependency, diversion and addiction.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Clinical guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain have been issued by the American Pain Society and the American Academy of Pain Medicine. Included in these guidelines is the importance of assessing the patient for the risk of substance abuse, misuse, or addiction. Factors correlated with an elevated risk of opioid misuse include a history of substance use disorder, younger age, major depression, and the use of psychotropic medications.<ref>Thomas R. Frieden, Harold W. Jaffe, Joanne Cono, et al. CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain — United States, 2016. MMWR Recomm Rep 2016;65 Pg. 9-10</ref> Physicians who prescribe opioids should integrate this treatment with any psychotherapeutic intervention the patient may be receiving. The guidelines also recommend monitoring not only the pain but also the level of functioning and the achievement of therapeutic goals. The prescribing physician should be suspicious of abuse when a patient reports a reduction in pain but has no accompanying improvement in function or progress in achieving identified goals.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

The list below consists of commonly used opioid analgesics which have long-acting formulations. Common brand names for the extended release formulation are in parentheses.

• Oxycodone (OxyContin)
• Hydromorphone (Exalgo, Hydromorph Contin)
• Morphine (M-Eslon, MS Contin)
• Oxymorphone (Opana ER)
• Fentanyl, transdermal (Duragesic)
• Buprenorphine*, transdermal (Butrans)
• Tramadol (Ultram ER)
• Tapentadol (Nucynta ER)
• Methadone* (Metadol, Methadose)
• Hydrocodone bitartrate (Hysingla ER) and bicarbonate (Zohydro ER)

*Methadone and buprenorphine are each used both for the treatment of opioid addiction and as analgesics

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

The other major group of analgesics are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). They work by inhibiting the release of prostaglandins, which cause inflammatory pain. Acetaminophen/paracetamol is not always included in this class of medications. However, acetaminophen may be administered as a single medication or in combination with other analgesics (both NSAIDs and opioids). The alternatively prescribed NSAIDs such as ketoprofen and piroxicam have limited benefit in chronic pain disorders and with long-term use are associated with significant adverse effects. The use of selective NSAIDs designated as selective COX-2 inhibitors have significant cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risks which have limited their utilization.<ref name="Munir MA, Enany N.">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Ballantyne JC.">Template:Cite journal</ref> Common NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. There are many NSAIDs such as parecoxib (selective COX-2 inhibitor) with proven effectiveness after different surgical procedures. Wide use of non-opioid analgesics can reduce opioid-induced side-effects.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs

Some antidepressant and antiepileptic drugs are used in chronic pain management and act primarily within the pain pathways of the central nervous system, though peripheral mechanisms have been attributed as well. They are generally used to treat nerve brain that results from injury to the nervous system. Neuropathy can be due to chronic high blood sugar levels (diabetic neuropathy). These drugs also reduce pain from viruses such as shingles, phantom limb pain and post-stroke pain.Template:Fact These mechanisms vary and in general are more effective in neuropathic pain disorders as well as complex regional pain syndrome.<ref name="Jackson KC 2nd.">Template:Cite journal</ref> A common anti-epileptic drug is gabapentin, and an example of an antidepressant would be amitriptyline.Template:Cn

Cannabinoids

The evidence for using cannabis for pain control varies in quality, but overall there is no good evidence cannabis is effective for any type of pain management, or that it is viable as a means of reducing opioid use.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Ketamine

Low-dose ketamine is sometimes used as an alternative to opioids for the treatment of acute pain in hospital emergency departments.<ref name="ACEP policy 2017">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="pmid33098707">Template:Cite journal</ref> Ketamine probably^? reduces pain more than opioids and with less nausea and vomiting.<ref name="bmjopen-2020-038134">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Other analgesics

Other drugs which can potentiate conventional analgesics or have analgesic properties in certain circumstances are called analgesic adjuvant medications.<ref name=":9">Template:Cite journal</ref> Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, can reduce neuropathic pain itself and can also potentiate opiates.<ref name="gabapentin">Template:Cite journal</ref> Drugs with anticholinergic activity, such as orphenadrine and cyclobenzaprine, are given in conjunction with opioids for neuropathic pain. Orphenadrine and cyclobenzaprine are also muscle relaxants, and are useful in painful musculoskeletal conditions. Clonidine, an alpha-2 receptor agonist, is another drug that has found use as an analgesic adjuvant.<ref name=":9" /> In 2021, researchers described a novel type of pain therapy Template:Emdash a CRISPR-dCas9 epigenome editing method for repressing Na_v1.7 gene expression which showed therapeutic potential in three mouse models of chronic pain.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Nefopam may be used when common alternatives are contraindicated or ineffective, or as an add-on therapy. However it is associated with adverse drug reactions and is toxic in overdose.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Self-management

Self-management of chronic pain has been described as the individual's ability to manage various aspects of their chronic pain.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite journal</ref> Self-management can include building self-efficacy, monitoring one's own symptoms, goal setting and action planning. It also includes patient-physician shared decision-making, among others.<ref name=":4" /> The benefits of self-management vary depending on self-management techniques used. They only have marginal benefits in management of chronic musculoskeletal pain.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Some research has shown that self-management of pain can use different approaches. Those approaches can range from different therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, exercise and other relaxation techniques. Patients could also take a more natural approach by taking different minerals, vitamins or herbs. However, research has shown there is a difference between rural patients and non-rural patients having more access to different self-management approaches. Physicians in these areas may be readily prescribing more pain medication in these rural cities due to being less experienced with pain management. Simply put, it is sometimes easier for rural patients to get a prescription that insurance pays for instead of natural approaches that cost more money than they can afford to spend on their pain management. Self-management may be a more expensive alternative.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Future directions

A 2023 review said that future chronic pain diagnosis and treatment would be more personalized and precision based.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Society and culture

The medical treatment of pain as practiced in Greece and Turkey is called algology (from the Greek άλγος, algos, "pain"). The Hellenic Society of Algology and the Turkish Algology-Pain Society are the relevant local bodies affiliated to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Undertreatment

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Undertreatment of pain is the absence of pain management therapy for a person in pain when treatment is indicated.

Consensus in evidence-based medicine and the recommendations of medical specialty organizations establish guidelines to determine the treatment for pain which health care providers ought to offer.<ref name="State of Pain Treatment 2011">Template:Citation</ref> For various social reasons, persons in pain may not seek or may not be able to access treatment for their pain.<ref name="State of Pain Treatment 2011" /> Health care providers may not provide the treatment which authorities recommend.<ref name="State of Pain Treatment 2011" /> Some studies about gender biases have concluded that female pain recipients are often overlooked when it comes to the perception of their pain. Whether they appeared to be in high levels of pain didn't make a difference for their observers. The women participants in the studies were still perceived to be in less pain than they actually were. Men participants on the other hand were offered pain relief while their self reporting indicated that their pain levels didn't necessarily warrant treatment. Biases exist when it comes to gender. Prescribers have been seen over and under prescribing treatment to individuals based on them being male or female <ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>.There are other prevalent reasons that undertreatment of pain occurs. Gender is a factor as well as race. When it comes to prescribers treating patients racial disparities has become a real factor. Research has shown that non-white individuals pain perception has affected their pain treatment. The African-American community has been shown to suffer significantly when it comes to trusting the medical community to treat them. Oftentimes medication although available to be prescribed is dispensed in less quantities due to their pain being perceived on a smaller scale. The black community could be undermined by physicians thinking they are not in as much pain as they are reporting. Another occurrence may be physicians simply making the choice not to treat the patient accordingly in spite of the self-reported pain level. Racial disparity is definitely a real issue in the world of pain management.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

In children

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Acute pain is common in children and adolescents as a result of injury, illness, or necessary medical procedures.<ref name="AAP.">Template:Cite journal</ref> Chronic pain is present in approximately 15–25% of children and adolescents. It may be caused by an underlying disease, such as sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis. Cancer or functional disorders such as migraines, fibromyalgia, and complex regional pain could also cause chronic pain in children.<ref name="Weydert">Template:Cite journal</ref>

File:Wong-Baker scale with emoji.png

Young children can indicate their level of pain by pointing to the appropriate face on a children's pain scale.

Pain assessment in children is often challenging due to limitations in developmental level, cognitive ability, or their previous pain experiences. Clinicians must observe physiological and behavioral cues exhibited by the child to make an assessment. Self-report, if possible, is the most accurate measure of pain. Self-report pain scales involve younger kids matching their pain intensity to photographs of other children's faces, such as the Oucher Scale, pointing to schematics of faces showing different pain levels, or pointing out the location of pain on a body outline.<ref name="AMA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Questionnaires for older children and adolescents include the Varni-Thompson Pediatric Pain Questionnaire (PPQ) and the Children's Comprehensive Pain Questionnaire. They are often utilized for individuals with chronic or persistent pain.<ref name="AMA" />

Acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and opioid analgesics are commonly used to treat acute or chronic pain symptoms in children and adolescents. However a pediatrician should be consulted before administering any medication.<ref name="AMA" />

Caregivers may provide nonpharmacological treatment for children and adolescents because it carries minimal risk and is cost effective compared to pharmacological treatment. Nonpharmacologic interventions vary by age and developmental factors. Physical interventions to ease pain in infants include swaddling, rocking, or sucrose via a pacifier. For children and adolescents physical interventions include hot or cold application, massage, or acupuncture.<ref name="Wente.">Template:Cite journal</ref> Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to reduce the emotional distress and improve the daily functioning of school-aged children and adolescents with pain by changing the relationship between their thoughts and emotions. In addition this therapy teaches them adaptive coping strategies. Integrated interventions in CBT include relaxation technique, mindfulness, biofeedback, and acceptance (in the case of chronic pain).<ref name="Zagustin">Template:Cite journal</ref> Many therapists will hold sessions for caregivers to provide them with effective management strategies.<ref name="Weydert" />

In red-haired individuals

In recent studies, it has been noted that people who have red-hair through the MC1R receptor gene may react to opioids and perceive pain differently than the rest of the population.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The studies on this developing topic have only become notable in the past few years with researchers looking into how red-haired individuals may experience a different threshold in pain and react to pain management differently than others. Most studies find that redheads with this gene have a higher pain tolerance and can also react more sensitively to opiates but require more anesthesia. <ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Professional certification

Pain management practitioners come from all fields of medicine. In addition to medical practitioners, a pain management team may often benefit from the input of pharmacists, physiotherapists, clinical psychologists and occupational therapists, among others. Together the multidisciplinary team can help create a package of care suitable to the patient.

Pain medicine in the United States

Pain physicians are often fellowship-trained board-certified anesthesiologists, neurologists, physiatrists, emergency physicians, or psychiatrists. Palliative care doctors are also specialists in pain management. The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, the American Board of Anesthesiology, the American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology (recognized by the AOABOS), the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> each provide certification for a subspecialty in pain management following fellowship training. The fellowship training is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOABOS). As the field of pain medicine has grown rapidly, many practitioners have entered the field, some non-ACGME board-certified.<ref name="pmid23953018">Template:Cite journal</ref>

See also

• Equianalgesic
• List of investigational analgesics
• Opioid comparison, an example of an equianalgesic chart
• Pain Catastrophizing Scale
• Pain ladder
• Pain management during childbirth
• Pain psychology

Further reading

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External links

• World Health Organization (WHO) Treatment Guidelines on Pain

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