Current views on non-invasive methods in pain relief

Selected Nonpharmacological Therapies for Chronic Pain: The Therapeutic Use of the Placebo Effect

“…Melzack and Wall (1982) regarded pain as having many varied, complex experiences and causes and qualities that are affective as well as sensory. Mehta (1986) observed that the intellectual, social, temperamental, economic, and perceptual dimensions of pain are as critical as the precipitating disease in causing suffering. Pain is a complex, multidimensional experience of hurt that can affect and be affected by all aspects of a person.…”

“…Conventional medical and surgical interventions, which lie outside the scope of practice of most nurse practitioners, have a limited role for patients with chronic pain. Drug therapy often does not provide satisfactory relief (Fields, 1987;Mayer, 1985;Mehta, 1986;Upton, 1988), and drug tolerance and dependence, mental clouding, and systemic problems can arise with long-term use of analgesics (Mehta, 1986). Peripheral nerve blocks, rhizotomy, and cordotomy, which have uncertain outcomes, may lead to further complications (Mehta, 1986).…”

“…Drug therapy often does not provide satisfactory relief (Fields, 1987;Mayer, 1985;Mehta, 1986;Upton, 1988), and drug tolerance and dependence, mental clouding, and systemic problems can arise with long-term use of analgesics (Mehta, 1986). Peripheral nerve blocks, rhizotomy, and cordotomy, which have uncertain outcomes, may lead to further complications (Mehta, 1986). These medical/surgical techniques are best used in conjunction with complementary nursing treatments for people in chronic pain.…”

“…A multidisciplinary approach is appropriate for chronic pain management (Hoover, 1986;Mehta, 1986;Simon, 1989;Upton, 1988). For instance, an effective program may draw from such diverse disciplines as medicine, exercise therapy, nutrition, imagery, and psychotherapy (Hoover, 1986;Simon, 1989).…”

Nachweis der analgetischen TNS-Wirkung mit Hilfe des experimentellen Hitzeschmerzes

“…Als Schmerzbehandlung mit geringen Nebenwirkungen und wenigen Kontraindikationen hat die transkutane Nervstimulation (TNS) in den letzten Jahren zunehmendes Interesse gefunden. Der überwiegende Teil der Indikationen bezieht sich auf das neurologische Fachgebiet, so beispielsweise auf Neuralgien, Dysästhesien und Neuropathieschmerzen sowie chronifizierte Schmerzzustände verschiedener Genese (Grabow und Lerner 1977, Bates und Nathan 1980, Mehta 1981, Doe" et al 1981. Die zunehmende Verbreitung dieses ':'herapieverfahrens steht in einer gewissen Diskrepanz sowohl zu den Kenntnissen zugrundeliegender Wirkmechanismen wie auch zur geringen Anzahl an Schmerzveränderungsmessungen.…”