Alternative Methods Of Controlling Pain

Alternative Methods of Controlling Pain

Introduction

The report is based on the synthesis analysis of eight articles. The main theme of the articles is based on the post-operative pain management. The term pain management applies mainly to chronic pain rather than acute pain. In its broadest sense it includes a range of physical (e.g. spinal cord stimulation) and pharmacological (e.g. opioid drugs, intrathecal pumps, facet joint injections) as well as psychological interventions (Wang 2008).

Although the purpose of physical interventions is to reduce the intensity, frequency and duration with which pain is experienced, the overall aim of pain management is to ameliorate the experience of pain in its broadest sense rather than to eradicate it. Acute pain, such as postoperative pain, is expected to have a self-limiting time course and treatments are primarily directed at preventing its occurrence or reducing the magnitude of experienced pain during this period of time (Topcu 2012). This approach has been transferred to many medical treatments of chronic pain such as those listed above but while the elimination of pain is a worthy goal for chronic pain sufferers it is generally not possible with our present understanding of the neurobiology of chronic pain.

By definition chronic pain is longstanding, usually defined as greater than six months but often many years. Most sufferers will have received a wide range of pharmacological treatments without experiencing complete relief. When pain persists over a period of time its impact becomes widespread, it needs to be considered as a multifaceted construct and its treatment is necessarily more complex.

Synthesis Analysis

According to Seers (2008) the evaluation of postoperative pain based on good knowledge and proper use of various measurements. Self-evaluation in adults and children over 5 years is the rule. The one-dimensional methods have the advantage of being simple, fast, easy to use and validated. Among them, the visual analogue scale (VAS) is the reference tool. The numerical and 101 points in the verbal rating scale with four levels are also reliable methods for evaluation of postoperative pain. Morphine consumption by PCA may be an indirect indicator for measuring postoperative pain. In some patients, self-assessment is not feasible: a method based on the behavioral assessment of the patient by one observer is required (Seers 2008).

In children, the postoperative evaluation strategy is complex. EVA is used to age 5. In children of preschool age, behavioral scores (CHEOPS scale and OPS) are the most suitable methods. The score is widely used in infants younger than I year. The patient must have accurate and detailed information on the need to assess his pain, as well as the tool chosen by the physician. This tool will remain the same for the duration of hospitalization. The pain assessment should be systematic from the recovery room (SSPI) and in hospitalization (regular and repeated measures) (Monroe 2009). In addition, the patient is allowed to leave the SSPI and the area of hospitalization (if outpatient surgery) as if it has a pain score limited to a ...