Last Friday, January 29, 2010 - I gave a lecture on the Integrative Approach to Pain during the UP Grand Scientific Symposium. I was happy to see old friends, classmates, dorm mates. I was extra happy to discover that there are doctors who are interested to collaborate and truly be integrative in our approach to pain. Integrative meaning bringing together the safest and most effective modalities whether conventional and alternative or a combination.
The lecture presented our experiences in our clinic following the integrative approach to pain. What has worked for our patients, and which situations needed co-management with conventional pain specialists. We have almost 15 years of experience and this has made it possible for us to speak with conviction, and with so much freedom. I know this is what the doctors wanted to hear.
I included the 18 studies on pain using Anthroposophic Medicine evaluated for the HealthTechnology Assessment Report submitted to the Swiss Federal Government. These were well researched studies that showed statistically significant improvement in pain when using Anthroposophic Medicines. Conventional medicines were not necessary. The anthroposophic remedies were well tolerated with very minimal side effects.
The integrative appraoch allows us to develop a program for our patients following the 4-fold approach of Anthroposophic Medicine. Thus our pain management includes: Physical Body Nutrient Therapies and other remedies; Etheric Body Massages and other Energy Body Treatments; Artistic Therapies for the Emotional Forces and Biographical Counselling to address the Human Spirit which provides the inner strength to conquer the pain.
From our experience, acute and severe pain may need co management with conventional pain specialists. For example, we had to refer our patient with breast cancer in severe pain to an anesthesiologist for a nerve block.
But what i have observed is that the 4fold programs we develop for the patient broadens the possibilities for them and more important gives them the venue to take part in their own pain management. They discover what has brought about the pain, and how they can address it using their self-regulatory mechanisms.
The message i left was: if you or your loved one is in pain , unrelieved by any of the conventional modalities we have today— wouldnt you want to start thinking outside the box? and think integrative?