Non-Pharmaceutical interventions for Pain

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

We are about to hold a day seminar for ICU/High Dependency nurses and amoung it I would LOVE to include some non-pharmaceutical interventions for pain. Simple quick stuff that an acute care nurse COULD and SHOULD use to adjunct pain management in an acute care setting. Some of our patients include young teenagers undergoing spinal instrumentation for scoliosis (they seem to need lots of sympathy as well as pain relief) through to elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities who require post-op monitoring, especially of repiratory functioning.

Would enjoy hearing your suggestions

[babynurselsa, RN]

Low lighting, warm blankets help with some patients.

[nightingale, RN]

Repositioning, supportive poisitioning (i.e. pillows tucked in just the right places) ice or heat packs (I like the 20 on 20 off rotatoing method with heat and ice if the ice does not increase spasms), ice gel, tigar balm, lidoderm patch, accupressure (try a Google Search, I saw several sites that will explain it and provide helpful info to do a very simple procedure), aromatherapy (again try a google search), visual imagery (going to your happy place) to relax to minimize the tenseness that may minimize the spasms, and my all time favorite... Nurse Massage

I hope that helps...

[Josh L.Ac.]

Acupuncture. Treating pain is what we are best at, and if it is done by a qualified acupuncturist, there is an almost zero side-effect profile.

Honestly, it is odd that a modality that treats most types of pain as effectively or more effectively than conventional therapies with no side-effects is used so infrequently.

Edit: "qualified" acupuncturist means somebody with an actual acupuncture degree, not somebody with a weekend course or 300 hours of training.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Acupuncture. Treating pain is what we are best at, and if it is done by a qualified acupuncturist, there is an almost zero side-effect profile.

I think the OP is looking for things that can be implemented by acute care nurses very quickly and easily. What about a backrub? Distraction with TV or other stilmuli?

[Josh L.Ac.]

I think the OP is looking for things that can be implemented by acute care nurses very quickly and easily. What about a backrub? Distraction with TV or other stilmuli?

Excellent point. I guess the one I'm trying to make is if acupuncture was integrated into the setting, roses would smell better and the sun would shine brighter.

[nightingale, RN]

It would be nice to know the points for accupressure, with training, a Nurse could do that modality (at least in the state of Colorado).

Any suggestions Josh on that training?

[Josh L.Ac.]

It would be nice to know the points for accupressure, with training, a Nurse could do that modality (at least in the state of Colorado).

Any suggestions Josh on that training?

That's a great question but I'm not really the person to answer it since I have had little exposure to acupressure. The effects and clinical results that I have witnessed from acupuncture doesn't necessarily translate over to acupressure since most of the known western mechanisms of acupuncture require needling, such as the acupuncture analgesia - endorphin mechanism.

A point that works very well for pain by being needled might not translate to a point that works well for acupressure and vice versa. In addition, classical diagnosis would be difficult to teach in the context of a non-university setting (although traditional diagnosis isn't as important for the treatment of pain as it is for other complicated diseases).

Your best bet would be to contact the local nursing board for leads on where to go with your search. You might be able to get some information from the acupuncturists in your area, but remember their experience is probably with acupuncture and not acupressure.

[NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN]

I use a lot of warm or cold compresses in between meds. The thing I like most about them is that you don't have to wait for anything to wear off if they're ineffective. They can easily be removed.

[sunnym]

A funny story (made short)

Baby brother fell upon scrap metal- lacerating knee. -the skin flapped open like a book exposing his knee- Mom (super wonam) grabbed her t and wrapped it. On the war to ER she had him so relaxed! H was 7 yo doing lamaz! LOL The dr said it was his first child he treated who did lamaz breathing techniques.

[sunnym]

has any one mentioned counter pressure- or a neopreen vest?

One of muy clients w/ severe burtitus found comfort in it.

[softstorms]

Most young people connect with themselves better than we do. I would interview them. Music and video's often bring possitive thoughts and feelings to them. I would think it would have to be on a case by case basis, but if you find thier comfort link then that would be the place I would start to find thier comfort level.