Summary:
Integrative medicine (IM) is the integration of all available and appropriate healthcare strategies and disciplines for the patient’s benefit. Key components of IM include person-centered care; integration of teams from all disciplines, including complementary/alternative methods (CAM); a focus on prevention and disease minimization; and engagement of the full range of established health factors: physical, psychological, social, preventive, and therapeutic. The most popular methods of CAM include nutrition, probiotics, microelements, herbs, mind-body interventions (acupuncture, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, relaxation, hypnotherapy). Traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture, cupping, moxa, herbs, Tai Chi, Qigong, Dao Yin). According to available data, pain is one of the most common reasons for consulting CAM practitioners.So far the effectiveness of some CAM (acupuncture, yoga, massage, Tai Chi, manual techniques) has been studied and confirmed in patients with chronic non-cancer pain syndromes. Researchers are currently exploring the potential benefits of integrative health in a variety of situations, including pain management in cancer patients and survivors. According to EBM, acupuncture, TENS, massage, physical exercises, music therapy and various psychological methods may be useful in management of pain related to cancer disease or cancer treatment, especially when standard treatment fails or induces serious side effects. According to epidemiological data, CAM are commonly used by cancer pain patients. Therefore, healthcare professionals should be able to provide patients with current and evidence-based information on the effectiveness and safety of CAM.
Keywords: chronic pain, integrative medicine, acupuncture, pain treatment, complementary methods
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