UVM Integrative Lecture Series: “Non-Pharmacological Management of Pain”
Lecture Type: Online Video (Link Here)
Time: 63 minutes 57 seconds
Date: January 26, 2015
Speakers: Benjamin Kliger, M.D., M.P.H.
Topic: Treating Chronic Pain with Integrative Medicine
Introduction
Dr. Benjamin Kliger presents on managing chronic pain utilizing integrative medicine for the University of Vermont Laura Mann Integrative Health Care Lecture Series. Dr. Kliger is the Vice Chair for the Department of Integrative Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center, formerly named the Continuum Center for Health and Healing. In his family medicine practice, he also practices acupuncture, botanical medicine, and hypnotherapy alongside conventional therapies.
You can view the lecture directly by clicking the link here.
You can download the PowerPoint presentation for this lecture by clicking the link here.
Practicing Integrative Medicine
Dr. Kliger explains the integrative medicine approach to treating patients. First of all, evidence informs what therapeutic approaches will be effective. Second, patient participation is essential in choosing integrative therapies to determine individual preferences, access, and motivation, which all impact whether a patient will commit and therefore have a medical benefit from continued use.
According to research from Barnes et. al (2007) cited by Dr. Kliger, chronic pain is one of the most frequently used conditions that utilizes complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). At the time of this study, this was largely from patients seeking these therapies on their own and therefore outside of conventional treatment. Some common reasons patients with chronic pain pursue CAM are side effects of conventional medicine, seeking options, and persistent pain despite traditional treatment.
At the time of this lecture, there was growing evidence of many integrative medicine treatments. Dr. Kliger reviewed many of the modalities he uses and how they may benefit patients.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – growing evidence that CBT helps stop negative thoughts around the pain experience and helps to change behavior.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) – breathing and relaxation practices, as well as mindset, help to increase pain acceptance and therefore decreases suffering.
- Tai Chi – a mind-body movement therapy coordinated with breathing that has shown continued benefit beyond the training and treatment period for individuals with Fibromyalgia.
- Acupuncture – has shown to be useful in treating multiple pain conditions, with continued growing evidence to support it.
Concluding Thoughts
Dr. Kliger presents the research backing various mind-body therapies used to manage chronic pain and how they may improve clinical outcomes. Watch the lecture to learn more about the research backing integrative medicine, as well as the suggested mechanisms of physiological action proposed at the time.
Check out the lecture video here.
Download the PowerPoint presentation here.
Visit the UVM Integrative Lecture Series home page here.
Citation
Kliger, B. (2015, January 26). [Lecture Recording]. University of Vermont Laura Mann Integrative Health Care Lecture Series. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSgQdmf0WJw
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