Alternative Pain Management for Cancer Patients: What to Consider

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Cancer patients struggle with pain which often gets in the way of a full recovery and complicates the treatment process. That’s because stress and anxiety caused by pain are thought to slow down recovery, prompting patients to speed up pain management by taking over-the-counter medication.

Then again, pain management drugs are not always beneficial. It may work in some but others often end up dependent on prescription drugs to overcome injury. Analgesics, for instance, have been tied to cases of multiple organ failure and kidney damage which further adds to discomfort. With this in mind, there’s a need for patients and their loved ones to consider alternative approaches to managing pain. Here are a few that could ease up the experience for patients:

1. Pharmacological Alternatives

There are many non-opioid-based options for pain medication on the market, offering patients a safer way to deal with chronic discomfort and stress that often follows chemotherapy sessions. Adjuvant analgesics are particularly useful in dealing with severe pain, especially in patients who may be too sensitive to opioids.

The only downside is that adjuvant analgesics are administered on a case-to-case basis and doctors are advised to monitor patient responses to small doses before administering more. Acetaminophen or Tylenol can also be a good non-opioid option but it may not be ideal if patients take other types of medication. The drug may also suppress fever which may indicate a side effect of chemotherapy so ask your doctor before buying over the counter. 

2. Physical Therapy

Along with medication, patients need to condition their bodies to respond well to chronic pain. Cancer treatment plans often come with physical therapy sessions aimed at reducing the effects of fatigue, improving the body’s immune system, and preventing cachexia or muscle atrophy. Doctors may encourage strength training exercises meant to enhance muscle mass and optimize muscle and bone function, allowing the body to manage pain more efficiently.

Strength training can also help improve balance, allowing patients to become more agile. In addition to that, a physical therapy program should include aerobic exercises for improving cardiovascular performance and endurance. A well-thought-out physical regimen can help cancer survivors recover lost stamina and, more importantly, break out from pain. 

3. Psychological Therapy

In recent years, pain management research has focused more intensely on the importance of safeguarding the mental health of cancer patients. Cancer care plans now include such activities as biofeedback and diaphragmatic breathing. Banking on cognitive behavior therapy, doctors who apply these methods aim to optimize patients’ fight or flight responses, allowing them to control how they respond to stressful and painful situations.

Fear and worry are known to amplify pain sensations, so being able to manage these emotions through such psychological coping mechanisms can help patients feel more at ease, allowing for better pain relief without the same risks that opioids carry.

4. Herbal Medication

Although this type of approach to pain management is still under scrutiny, there has been a growing body of research suggesting the positive effects that complementary therapy can bring to aid in cancer treatment and recovery. For instance, turmeric offers promising findings in its usefulness in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and, simultaneously, reducing inflammation. A more controversial strategy involves the use of cannabis-based products.

Over the years, there has been a rise in sales of THCp online with many noting its effectiveness in managing nausea that occurs after chemotherapy. Then again, patients must ask for advice and explore these herbal options with their doctors before proceeding because cannabis is still heavily regulated. 

5. Tech-aided Methods

With the use of machine learning becoming more widespread in the field of cancer care and research, patients are afforded new ways to use technology to manage pain. One study found that AI models can help analyze patient situations more effectively, allowing doctors to make well-informed decisions on what pain management strategies are more effective for each case. This would pave the way to prescribing the best possible non-opioid drugs with the most minimal side effects.

Endnote

Pain management has to be the most difficult part of living with cancer but it shouldn’t compromise a patient’s overall well-being. With these alternatives, they have a better chance of recovery and a better quality of life as they recover from their ordeal.