Although medication often plays an important role in relieving pain related to cancer or cancer treatments, several additional self-care and support options are available. Using a combination of methods is often the most successful approach to pain management. This article describes medication-free ways of relieving pain. For an overview of treating cancer pain, read part I.

Self-care and support methods

The methods described below have helped many people with cancer achieve better pain management. In addition to the potential for pain relief, these methods may help reduce negative feelings such as stress, depression, anxiety, and loss of control, and help you cope better with cancer.

Some of these methods you can do on your own, while others require that you work with a specialist, preferably one who is licensed (up to date on training requirements in a specific field of work). Talk with your doctor or other member of the health care team before you try a method that’s new to you.

Acupuncture. This ancient form of Chinese medicine, which involves inserting special needles into specific areas of the body, has been shown to relieve pain in some clinical trials. Make sure to see an experienced and reputable practitioner who only uses sterile needles.

Biofeedback. This method teaches people to use their minds to control body responses, such as pain or heart rate. Electrodes (painless electrical sensors) are attached to your skin to measure your body’s processes, which are monitored by a trained biofeedback therapist.

Breathing exercises/meditation. Gentle breathing exercises can enhance relaxation, reduce tension, and decrease pain. They can be done while sitting up in a chair, arms relaxed gently at the sides, or while lying down in a reclining chair or bed. Try breathing in through the nostrils, slowly counting one, two, three, then breathing out through the mouth, counting one, two, three. Continue for five minutes initially, gradually working up to 20 minutes. You can also try meditation exercises, such as softly repeating a calming word or imagining breathing heat or relaxation in and out of areas of pain in your body.

Counseling and support groups. Talking with a trained counselor or attending a cancer support group gives you the opportunity to hear about pain management techniques that have worked for others and may help you identify what might work for you. Discussing concerns and getting support may also help relieve some of the physical and emotional tension that can make pain worse.

Distraction. Activities such as taking a warm bath, reading a book, watching television or a movie, drawing, doing needlework, listening to music, or taking a short walk outdoors can distract the mind from pain.

Heat and cold. Applying hot or cold compresses, heating pads, or ice packs to aching, sore, or painful areas of the body may help diminish discomfort. Discuss this approach with your doctor and follow any special instructions, particularly during or after radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Start with short applications of five to 10 minutes at moderate temperatures. Do not apply heat or cold directly on bare or injured skin, areas that are numb, or to areas that have received recent radiation therapy. Wrap ice packs and compresses in a towel to protect skin and use heating pads over clothing, a sheet, or a towel. Experiment with temperatures to find a method that provides relief comfortably. A warm bath is another way to get heat evenly applied to a large area at once.

Imagery and visualization. Many imagery techniques are useful for pain and discomfort associated with treatment. For example, the "magic glove" is a technique in which you imagine putting on a glove before getting a needle stick, and visualize that the glove protects your hand from the sensation of pain. Or, you may benefit from simple visualization exercises in which you imagine a peaceful scene or a favorite memory or create a mental picture of a healing light that takes pain up and away. A trained therapist can teach you different exercises that you can do at home.

Massage. A qualified massage therapist who has experience working with people with cancer can provide gentle therapeutic massage to alleviate tension, discomfort, and pain. Simple massage techniques, including gentle, smooth, circular rubbing of the feet, hands, or back, can be done at home by a caregiver. You can also massage yourself by applying light, even pressure to your hands, arms, neck, and forehead.

Nutritional support. Cancer and cancer treatments can cause side effects, such as mouth sores or nausea (the urge to vomit, or throw up), that make it difficult to maintain proper nutrition. Improper nutrition can lead to pain or discomfort or make it worse. A dietitian (a food and nutrition professional) or your doctor may recommend you take certain nutritional supplements or change your diet to address those side effects.

Physical therapy or occupational therapy. The role of a physical therapist is to evaluate nerve, muscle, and fitness problems that make it difficult for a person to function well on a daily basis. A physical therapist can teach you how to use devices, such as prostheses (artificial devices that replace missing body parts), splints, or braces, to help ease pain. An occupational therapist helps people prevent and live with illness, injury, and disability. For example, an occupational therapist may help someone avoid painful lymphedema (a painful buildup of fluid) after cancer surgery.

Tracking pain reduction

Tracking the results of your pain management techniques can help you determine which ones work best for you. One idea is to create a simple chart. List the days of the week across the top. Down the left-hand side, create categories such as time of day, pain management techniques, activity level, and mood. You may want to include a pain rating category where you can enter a pain rating of zero to 10, with 10 being the greatest amount of pain.

By entering information regularly and reviewing the chart, you will be able to see which situations and techniques are helping you on the road toward being pain-free. If you would prefer to use a pre-made chart, search the Internet using terms such as “pain management chart” and “pain tracking chart.”

More Information

Managing Side Effects: Pain

Complementary Medicine: Information for Patients

Questions to Ask When Considering Complementary or Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Last Updated: December 08, 2011