Evidence-Based Evaluation of Complementary Health Approaches for Pain Management in the United States

Richard L Nahin; Robin Boineau; Partap S Khalsa; Barbara J Stussman; Wendy J Weber

doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.06.007

Evidence-Based Evaluation of Complementary Health Approaches for Pain Management in the United States

Mayo Clin Proc. 2016 Sep;91(9):1292-306. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.06.007.

Authors

Richard L Nahin¹, Robin Boineau², Partap S Khalsa², Barbara J Stussman², Wendy J Weber²

Affiliations

¹ National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. Electronic address: NahinR@mail.nih.gov.
² National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

Abstract

Although most pain is acute and resolves within a few days or weeks, millions of Americans have persistent or recurring pain that may become chronic and debilitating. Medications may provide only partial relief from this chronic pain and can be associated with unwanted effects. As a result, many individuals turn to complementary health approaches as part of their pain management strategy. This article examines the clinical trial evidence for the efficacy and safety of several specific approaches-acupuncture, manipulation, massage therapy, relaxation techniques including meditation, selected natural product supplements (chondroitin, glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane, S-adenosylmethionine), tai chi, and yoga-as used to manage chronic pain and related disability associated with back pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, neck pain, and severe headaches or migraines.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Acupuncture Therapy
Back Pain / therapy*
Chronic Pain / therapy*
Complementary Therapies / methods*
Evidence-Based Medicine / methods*
Humans
Massage
Neck Pain / therapy*
Pain Management / methods*
United States

Grants and funding

Z99 AT999999/Intramural NIH HHS/United States