“Complementary” and "alternative” are terms that are both used to describe therapies that are not within conventional western pain relieving methods. The term “complementary therapy” is used when the therapy is
added to western pain relieving methods. “Alternative therapy” is the term used when the therapy is used
instead of conventional western pain relieving strategies.
Complementary therapies
Complementary pain therapies can serve as a helpful addition to western evidence-based pain relief methods. They are meant to work together to provide better pain relief than using conventional western techniques alone. Modern medicine has become much more open to complementary therapies in the last few decades. Health care professionals recognize that complementary therapies can be useful, despite the fact that many have not been evaluated through research. Provided that the therapy does no harm and does not interfere with other treatments, most medical professionals do not advise against them. If you pursue a complementary pain therapy for your child, you should discuss it with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or the pain management team.
Alternative therapies
Alternative therapies are an alternative to western medicine. Some practitioners of alternative therapies will recommend against using western evidence-based medicine. You should always discuss alternative therapies with your health care professional to ensure you understand the potential risks involved in stopping current treatment.
Many alternative therapies are only marginally regulated, if at all, by federal drug and medical regulation agencies and so the buyer should beware of the possible risks of these therapies. Even if there are scientific studies showing pain relief from alternative or complementary therapies, few use children as study participants. Often, there is no knowledge of whether an alternate therapy is safe for children, even if it has been shown to be safe or effective for adults.
Types of treatment
Many complementary pain therapies focus on mind-body connections beyond those accepted by traditional western medicine. By improving the psychological and emotional state, complementary therapies may be extremely helpful in the management of pain. More familiar psychological and behavioural pain therapies, such as hypnosis and biofeedback, also reflect the mind-body connection.
Though many complementary therapies have not been proven, medical researchers do know that a positive attitude can improve patient outcomes. If a complementary therapy appears to work for your child, and those providing his care are in agreement, parents should feel free to use it.
Some complementary strategies, such as music therapy, are practised in some hospitals while others are not. As with all health care, parents should become as informed as possible about any treatment that their child is receiving. Many complementary therapies are currently being studied to find out how effective they are. If you find scientific literature about a particular therapy, please discuss it with a health care professional or a pain management team member.
Humour, art, play, and music therapy
Humour, art, and play are used to modify mood and distract your child from pain. They are the techniques most familiar to children. These strategies can also be used to desensitize and distract a child from painful procedures. Some play materials such as bubbles, I Spy books, and toys with lights and music can keep children focused during procedures and decrease anxiety.
Pain relief or 'comfort kits' are often available in the hospital or they may be purchased outside the hospital. Using these supplies, these techniques can also educate a child about his pain and planned treatments he must undergo. For example, a child can play with medical props such as bandages and stethoscopes, which may make them less scary and help him understand what is going on around him and why. The use of creative arts and crafts can modify pain and mood, and can be used as a means to express feelings and concerns about pain.
Herbal therapies
Herbs have been used to treat illness for thousands of years, often successfully. Plants, like animals, are made up of many chemicals and these chemicals can have powerful effects on our bodies. Many of the mainstream medications that we use every day were first discovered in plants, even if they are synthetically or man-made today. Two common pain relievers that were first derived from plants are ASA ( Aspirin), which came from the bark of the willow tree, and morphine, which was originally derived from poppy plants.
However, it is important to remember that just because an herbal remedy is “natural” doesn’t mean that it is harmless. Some herbal therapies need to be as carefully controlled as a synthetic medication. Because many herbs contain chemicals that have a powerful effect on the body, it is also very important to check with your doctor or pharmacist whether they could react with other medications you are taking. Like some synthetic medications, some herbs should not be used by children or pregnant or nursing women. Always get professional advice from a health care professional, preferably your doctor, before giving your child herbal remedies.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is based on the idea that the molecules that create smells can have an effect on health. There are many different aromas that may have some positive effect on the body, it has been suggested that lavender has a sedating effect. Some medical studies show aromatherapy to be a useful addition to other therapies in reducing pain.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment now performed throughout the western world. It involves inserting very tiny needles into the body at specific points and has been used to treat many medical conditions, including pain. Traditional acupuncture is based on the theory that energy flows through invisible channels within the body. Regulating the flow of this energy by inserting and manipulating tiny needles at over 400 possible specific acupuncture points is believed to restore the balance and flow of this energy, relieving pain.
Modern acupuncture is based on direct needling of trigger points in combination with traditional acupuncture points. Acupuncture may work by stimulating the release of endorphins, which are natural morphine-like chemicals produced by the body.
Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia (also known as chronic widespread pain), musculoskeletal pain, post-operative pain, and nausea. There are many reports that acupuncture can be effective in treating other painful conditions, though more studies are needed to confirm it's effectiveness or safety, especially in children.
Acupuncture should always be performed by a certified practitioner. Some children may feel immediate pain relief, others may require several sessions. Individuals with chronic conditions tend to require more sessions for acupuncture to be effective.
Prayer
Prayer is seen as a beneficial coping mechanism producing positive outcomes. If praying produces a feeling of well-being and encourages hope in your child, this may help relieve pain. Studies are underway to determine if praying for others, for example a parent praying for his child, has a similar effect.
Massage, touch and, holding
Massage and touch are useful therapies for decreasing anxiety and increasing a sense of well-being. Both have been shown to improve the well-being and development of children. Often, the simple act of touching the child during a painful procedure can lessen both fear and pain—especially in younger children.
Healing touch, also known as the laying on of hands, is a process where a parent or health professional lightly touches a child in pain and focuses their thoughts on healing and well-being for the child. Some studies have found healing touch to be effective in reducing pain from tension headaches and following surgery.
In a therapeutic touch session your child would lie quietly, and a healer would put herself in a meditative state where she would be focused on her intent to help or heal your child. The healer’s hands are held just above your child’s body in order to detect the life energy and detect any blockages or distressed areas. The healer then attempts to direct the energy in the child. There is some evidence that this therapy relieves the pain of fibromyalgia in adults and may help to improve the sense of well-being in children, though how these therapies actually produce positive effects is unknown.
For very young babies, holding the baby in a “tucked position” (the parent or health care professional’s hands supporting the baby under their bottom and across their shoulders), has been shown to decrease pain from procedures such as heel sticks. There is also evidence that babies are comforted and have less pain when held in skin-to-skin contact (sometimes called Kangaroo Care) with their mother or father.
Sources and consultation: complimentary and alternative treatment
Again, when considering complementary and alternative therapies for pain management it is important to consutlt with your health care team. There may be professionals within your team who can provide these services, such as Child Life Specialists, Social Workers, Chaplains, Therapeutic Clowns, and Music Therapists