Director of Pain Management Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine San Diego, California
Chronic pain is a pervasive health issue affecting millions globally, leading to significant physical, emotional, and economic burdens. Traditional pharmacological treatments often provide limited relief and may be accompanied by adverse effects, prompting both patients and healthcare providers to seek alternative or complementary approaches. Integrative pain therapies, which combine conventional medical treatments with evidence-based complementary practices, have gained attention for their potential to enhance pain management outcomes. This presentation aims to provide an updated overview of integrative pain therapies, focusing on the latest evidence supporting their efficacy and practical strategies for incorporation into clinical practice.
Learning Objectives:
Identify and describe the most common integrative practitioner-based therapies utilized in pain management, including dietary interventions, acupuncture, tai chi, yoga, mindfulness meditation, and chiropractic care
Evaluate the current scientific evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of these integrative therapies for common chronic pain conditions including low back pain, headache, cancer related pain, arthritis and fibromyalgia
Develop practical strategies to incorporate evidence-based integrative therapies into multidisciplinary pain management plans, considering patient preferences, cultural contexts, and potential barriers to implementation.
