Preoperative Patient Education Utilizing Adjunctive Nonpharmacological Pain Management Interventions

Abstract

Analgesics are not always effective in eliminating post-operative pain. Utilization of nonpharmacological interventions may assist in the alleviation of pain. Nurse Practitioners have an opportunity to assess the knowledge of their patients regarding the utilization of alternative therapies for pain management at preoperative visits. The education of patients preoperatively for adjunctive pain management interventions may include massage therapy, chiropractic therapy, ice therapy, music therapy, and guided imagery. Effective strategies for education might incorporate the use of printed materials or pamphlets about pain management. This paper seeks to describe the research for adjunctive or alternative therapies easily accessible to patients and to provide an educational tool that providers may use in the preoperative education of these patients.