By When we speak of chronic pain and what a major issue it is around the country and world, we tend to think of it in terms of adults. Yet according to the American Pain Society, children and adolescents experiencing chronic pain is a significant problem around the world. They estimate that 20 to 35 percent of the children and adolescents in the world are affected (1).
Helping children manage their chronic pain may be challenging for some people, depending on the age of the child. If they are young, they may lack the communication skills to express what they are feeling and where, as well as what therapy techniques are helping them. Yet addressing chronic pain in children and adolescents requires having a pain management plan, just as it does with adults who experience it.
The American Pain Society recommends taking a biopsychosocial model, where an interdisciplinary approach to pain management is used. They also recommend that the strongest evidence-based approach is psychological intervention, which includes parents teaching cognitive strategies, relaxation techniques, etc. (2). Recent research backs this up, with the December 2015 issue of the journal Pain Management reporting that chronic pain in childhood is significantly impactful and that current psychological treatments include behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, self-regulated training, and parent involvement (3).
As parents are considering various techniques and tools to help their child or adolescent with chronic pain, they may want to explore what acupuncture can do for them. A new study issued by Rush University Medical Center in Chicago reports that acupuncture may be safe and effective for helping to treat children and adolescents. They found that it can provide a positive impact on a child’s health, and their well-being. Each of the children involved in the study reported a significant reduction in problems following the acupuncture treatments, including in such areas of their life as emotional, social, and educational. Parents of the children also reported observing similar benefits in their children, following the acupuncture where each child received up to eight treatments (4).
The good news for those who have children and adolescents who suffer from chronic pain is that there is hope in helping them to effectively manage it. Helping them to find techniques to bring relief is a major component, and can be done when parents, doctors, and the kids themselves come together to create a plan that works for them.
Sources:
- American Pain Society. Position paper: Assessment and Management of Children with Chronic Pain. 1/4/12.
- American Pain Society. Position paper: Assessment and Management of Children with Chronic Pain. 1/4/12.
- Pain Management. 2015 Dec 17.
- PsychCentral. Acupuncture Found Effective for Chronic Pain in Kids. <http://psychcentral.com/news/2015/12/17/acupuncture-found-effective-for-chronic-pain-in-kids/96346.html>
