...Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Alternative Therapies Myofascial pain, characterized by chronic pain affecting connective tissue of muscles is often chronic and the most common symptom is trigger points. Trigger points are areas of highly sensitive muscle tissue prone to spasm and pain (sometimes referred) upon palpation. Myofascial pain is related to strains or injuries to the muscle tissue or strenuous use of muscles after a period of sedentary activity such as after having a stroke or breaking a bone. (Webmd.com, 2013) Most often, myofascial pain affects areas of the spine; lower back, shoulders, and neck. Myofascial pain is identified or diagnosed by a physician upon completion of a physical exam involving questions surrounding the onset of the symptoms. Which include tender muscles, pain that happens with pressure on a trigger point, weakness in the affected area and sometimes limitation to the range-of-motion of the affected area. (Cleveland Clinic, 2013) Causes are suspect related to stress; stress is probably the biggest factor. Poor posture combined with overuse of muscles is also suspected contributors to the cause of myofascial pain and trigger point sensitivities. Conventional treatment for myofascial pain and trigger points include physical therapy, which focusses on strengthening, stretching and posture improvement exercises. Medications can also be used like Non-Steroidal-Anti-Inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs, analgesics like Tramadol® for mild-to-severe pain and benzodiazepines...
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...Treatment Types for Oncologic Pain James Skelton Mercy College of Health Sciences Treatment Types for Oncologic Pain Nearly all those who are diagnosed with cancer will have some kind of pain associated with the disease process. This pain may be visceral, neuropathic, procedural, or psychological in nature. This paper is a discussion of the different procedural guidelines that are currently used by the World Health Organization in the treatment of oncologic pain. This is also a look at alternative therapies that may be used in conjunction with the previously accepted pharmacological treatment of Western medicine. Article Summary One The article written by Fielding, Sanford, and Davis (2013) is a review of the current step-by-step guidelines the WHO has had in place for some time along with a comprehensive assessment of pain, the use of opioids and their adverse affects, the role of adjuvants, and non-pharmacological means of cancer pain treatment. The WHO bases its algorhythm on simplistic, broad categories such as mild, moderate, and severe pain. The article itself is geared towards nurses because they have a unique role in advocating for the patient. The WHO has had a three step analgesic ladder that it has used as a basis for cancer pain treatment for nearly 30 years now. Fielding, et al. (2013), stated that health professionals need to go beyond this three step ladder that focuses primarily on physical pain. Cancer pain is not just a physical but a biopsychosocial...
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...been successful in helping her and is still suffering from persistent pain. Prescribed medication has been tried to see if that would help Eileen’s condition but she claims to experience awful side effects and would rather not take any medication, because of the side effects Eileen has been experiencing they have started to make Eileen feel overly stressed for no real reason, due to this Eileen has been considering a couple of different complementary therapies which have been recommended by some close friends and family. The two therapies that Eileen has been researching and considering are acupuncture and osteopathy. * Acupuncture is said to help relieve pain by either diverting or changing the painful sensations that are sent to the brain to then alert you to the pain within the body. (Arthritis Research UK) * Osteopathy is also said to help relieve pain that individuals experience for a number of different reasons, this is done by improving mobility and reducing inflammation by using gentle, manual osteopathic techniques. (Hoddesdon osteopathic & sports injury clinic , 2016) Case study – Eileen is a 68 year old pensioner who suffers with arthritis, her arthritis has been getting worse since she turned 65 and has tried everything within the orthodox health system to try and ease the condition but unfortunately nothing has been successful in helping her and is still suffering from persistent pain. Prescribed medication has been tried to see if that would help Eileen’s...
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...Chapter I INTRODUCTION Background of the Study Although pain is a universal experience, its exact nature remains a mystery. It is known that pain is highly subjective and individual and that it is one of the body’s defense mechanisms that indicate a problem. Unrelieved pain presents both physiologic and psychologic dangers to health and recovery. McCaffery 1999, defines pain as “whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever he (or she) says it does.” Basic to this definition is the care provider’s willingness to believe that the client is experiencing pain and that the client is the real authority on that pain. Health care professionals recently have focused on the positive effects of humor and laughter on health and disease. Humor involves the ability to discover, express, or appreciate the comical or absurdly incongruous, to be amused by one’s own imperfections or the whimsical aspects of life, and to see the funny side of an otherwise serious situation. Humor in nursing is defined as helping the client “to perceive, appreciate, and express what is funny, amusing, or ludicrous in order to establish relationships, relieve tension, release anger, facilitate learning, or cope with a painful feeling” (McCloskey 2000). Many health care settings are now interested in providing humor as a caring skill and have recognized that “laughter is the best medicine.” “Humor rooms” are being created for clients and staff that are supplied with...
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...Neck pain is a common occurrence affecting 10% of general population at least once during their lifetime(1). The occurrence rate of neck pain is 50-70% among individuals and 5 years after the onset of symptoms approximately 60% of patients experience chronic pain which lead to severe disability(2,3).Mechanical neck pain is a common classification of neck pain also called non- specific neck pain without specific underlying cause(4).Mechanical neck pain is defined as generalized pain in cervical spine or shoulder area with musculoskeletal and functional symptoms( e.g. decreased ROM, decreased work tolerance, impaired muscle coordination, stiff joint , pain and tenderness in neck region) exacerbated by neck postures, neck movement, or palpation of cervical muscles(5)(6).Mechanical neck pain affects 30-50% of both male and female at any given times leading to muscular, joint and neural impairments(7)(8)....
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...I chose to review an article related to the treatment of chronic pain for a plethora of reasons. To begin with it will be on my first test, secondly it is one the reasons most people go to the emergency room and see their doctors. And finally in my opinion pain along with mental health illnesses may be the most often misunderstood and mistreated diagnosed in health care today; therefore as a nurse and patient advocate it is imperative that I attain a wide knowledge base on the subject of pain and its complimentary treatments. The article discussed a variety of complementary and alternative methods to manage and treat varying types of pain. The article was not inclusive of all CAMs, only the most common practices of complementary alternative medicine. Including on the list discussed was acupuncture, acupressure, homeopathy, naturopathy, and tai chi. These are the more common modalities of CAM, as well as other CAMs that were new to me such as Jin Shin Jyutsu, lymphatic therapy, myofascial therapy and craniosacral therapy. Also included were reviews and evidence base practice regarding some of these therapies. Though the article made mention of several research and clinical trials. For example, “In randomized clinical trials, qigong has been shown to be effective in significantly reducing pain when compared with the general pain care.” (Schulenburg, 2015, p. 322), it was not a research paper or clinical analysis. It is a journal article written by a registered nurse for...
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...However, hypnosis is a type of therapy used by doctors of psychology. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), hypnosis is “a therapeutic technique in which clinicians make suggestions to individuals who have undergone a procedure designed to relax them and focus their mind” (American Psychological Association). the American Psychological Association also says that this technique can be a very useful and powerful technique, despite that it has been a very controversial in the past. It is said that it is able to help with pain, anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders (American Psychological Association). Hypnosis is still a developing technique of...
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...ABSTRACT The article is about the study of the effectiveness of massage therapy for sub acute low-back pain. The study was conducted by comparing comprehensive massage therapy, two components of massage therapy, which are soft-tissue manipulation and remedial exercise with posture education, and placebo of sham laser therapy for the treatment of sub acute low-back pain. The subjects for each group were given six treatments within a month. After a month of study, most of the subjects in the comprehensive massage therapy group reported that their sub acute low back pain is completely gone, while majority of the subjects from the other treatment groups reported that they still have pain. Thus, it was concluded that massage therapy is an effective remedy for patients with sub acute low back pain. INTRODUCTION The introduction clearly states its objective which is to compare the effects of comprehensive massage therapy, soft-tissue manipulation, remedial exercise with posture education, and a placebo of sham laser therapy for treating sub acute low back pain. The researcher states that this study is relevant as many people experience low back pain but no studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of massage therapy as its treatment. METHODS AND PROCEDURES The article clearly stated how the subjects were recruited and the criteria they used in selecting their subjects. They recruited their subjects through email, flyers, and advertisements. They screened the...
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...Relaxation Therapy on the Post-Operative Pain Introduction The use of music in the accomplishment of therapeutic aims; the restoration, maintenance, and improvement of mental and physical health is defined as music therapy. Music therapy decrease the perception of pain by temporarily occupying the ‘gates of pain’ located on spinal cord. Music can soothe us out; slow us down and save us from the ravages of tension. According to the study conducted by Jeena Jose (2000), the postop scores of pain were significantly less in the patients who underwent music therapy. Music is an inexpensive therapy which diverts the mind. Postoperative pain is intensely uncomfortable and can exacerbate the stress response, interfere...
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...published articles, 279 were eliminated after screening of titles and abstracts. After reading the full-text articles, 15 studies were eligible to be included in the review. The studies involving aquatic therapy versus manual therapy had related outcomes. The settings of the therapy provided varied from heated pools to land-based exercises. The number of participants, the type of population, and the intervention also were diverse. The one thing that came out with similar results was the primary outcome of the studies. What was studied was how aquatic therapy compared to manual therapy affected the quality of life in elderly patients with muscle and joint pain. A summary of studies is presented in Table 1. [Insert Table 1] Aquatic Therapy A study conducted by by Gill, McBurney, &...
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...Icon Medical Centers in Hollywood, Florida provides physical therapy services to residents in South Florida. Individuals who have been injured in automobile accidents, while at work or due to a slip and fall, can benefit greatly from physical therapy sessions at the Icon Medical Centers located in Hollywood. The Goal of Physical Therapy at Icon Medical Centers in Hollywood One of the main goals of the physical therapy programs we create for our patients is to reduce the swelling and pain associated with his or her injury, or illness. Our physical therapy staff uses traditional methods, as well as the most innovative technological advancements to help patients recover from their injuries. Our physical therapy techniques are also ideal for...
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...Dry Needling Physical Therapy Muscle pain and inflammation is sometimes so severe and disabling, that people seek physical therapy to relieve their symptoms. Instead of just taking medicines all the time, some people opt to use dry needling physical therapy, which is performed by trained physical therapists to relieve muscle contraction knots. Learn more about this technique, which you might consider including in your treatment plan. Part 1: How Does Dry Needling Work? Muscle injury can result from acute trauma or repetitive use, resulting in inflammation and pain. With time, the injured muscle can become tense and contracted to keep itself protected from further damage. This inflammation and contracture can inhibit circulation, which may limit the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to the injured tissue and at the same time, limit the removal of waste products from the affected site. The site becomes hypoxic (poor in oxygen) and this stimulates the body to produce scar tissue (fibrosis). This process results in the muscles’ reduced ability to function properly and can also cause irritation of surrounding nerves. The painful site with contracted muscle fibers become a myofascial trigger...
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...Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome of widespread pain associated with sleep disturbance, fatigue, depression, headache, abdominal pain, and poor concentration (Clauw). The American College of Rheumatology updated the diagnostic criteria for FM in 2010 to include these accompanying symptoms in addition to widespread pain (Wolfe). FM is associated with significant personal and socioeconomic costs, including limitations in work ability and high health care utilization (Palstam, Wolfe, Berger, White). The prevalence of FM among the general population in the United States is estimated to be between 1.1% and 6.4% (Vincent). FM is more common in both civilian and veteran women than men (Marques, Higgins). The prevalence of FM among veterans of Operation...
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...Massage Therapy for Chronic Neck and Back Pain Imagine living a life where pain is the first thing that comes to mind when waking up in the morning. The priority of getting out of bed is maneuvering the body in a way that will not cause more pain than what is already present. Walking to the bathroom just to take medication is excruciating. Disappointment is shown from children and grandchildren who do not understand that playing with them can cause more agony. The bills cannot be paid because of taking a couple days off due to not being able to move from the debilitating discomfort. After a while, feelings of depression and worthlessness combined with the pain are overwhelming. Many people throughout the world suffer from chronic pain that can range from just noticeable to completely debilitating. Chronic pain can be caused by variety of problems such as auto-immune disorders and...
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...Running head: EFFECTS OF MUSIC THERAPY Effects of Music Therapy in Preoperative, Intraoperative and Postoperative Care Virginia A. Ostrowsky Nova Southeastern University 1 EFFECTS OF MUSIC THERAPY 2 Effects of Music Therapy in Preoperative, Intraoperative and Postoperative Care Music Therapy has been used as a way of healing without medication for centuries. In the 1800’s traveling music groups played for injured veterans returning from war. Doctors and nurses noticed the positive effect music had on their healing process. In the 1900’s music was used along with anesthesia to calm patients during surgery (Nilsson, 2008). Today, music therapy is used in the clinical setting in many areas, especially in hospitals “to reduce patient pain, anxiety and stress”, in preoperative, perioperative and postoperative settings (Nilsson, 2008, p. 780). Furthermore, it can create a positive mental attitude and a sense of well being to promote emotional as well as physical healing (Economidou, Klimi, Vivilaki & Lykeridou, 2012). Music Therapy Music therapy is an area of health care that uses music as a therapeutic way to encourage healing of the mind and body. Listening to music stimulates all areas of the brain (Nilsson, 2008). It affects our emotions and can arouse feelings immediately. Thaut (1990) notes the body has a neurophysiological response by encouraging relaxation through the autonomic and central nervous system...
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