Pain
Non-Pharmacological Treatment

Surgery
Surgery may be used to remove a tumor that is pressing on other organs and/or nerves causing pain.

Radiation
Radiation Therapy may be used to help shrink tumor, thus relieving pain.

Nerve Blocks
A nerve block is procedure used to inject a local anesthetic, which may be combined with a steroid around a nerve or into the spine. The nerve will no longer be able to relay pain so the pain may be temporarily relieved. Longer pain relief may be achieved when phenol or alcohol are added to the injection. Muscle paralysis or loss of all feeling in the affected area may be caused by a nerve block. ⁷

Complementary and Alternative Treatments
This is a growing area in the cancer patient population. In 2001 it was estimated that 85% of oncology patients participate in the use of complementary and/or alternative treatments. It was also reported that 65% of oncology patients do not share this information with their healthcare team. ¹⁰ It is very important to share this information with your healthcare team, as some treatments can have an unfavorable effects on other treatments.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the use of fine needles being placed just under the skin to relieve pain and open energy flow. A licensed practitioner performs this.

Biofeedback
Biofeedback is often used along with other pain relief measures. The method requires help from a licensed technician. The patient is taught to relax their muscles by using the biofeedback machine. The machine relays information both in a visual format and also in one that you can hear, as the muscles become relaxed or tense. This method when practiced can help the patient feel in control of their pain. ⁴

Humor
Humor, as defined by Webster, is a comical or amusing quality.¹¹ Humor can sometimes be used to distract the patient. This tool may be helpful during a critical time, such as waiting for pain medicines to take effect.