The ACMZONE Journal

Alternative and complementary therapies are effective in reducing pain for hospitalized patients, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Patient Safety.

The study was sponsored by the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and clearly shows inpatient integrative medicine can have a significant impact on pain without the use of opioid medication, which can trigger unintended side effects.

Dr. Greg Plotnikoff, director of the institute and study co-author said, “We’re looking at non-drug ways of achieving good pain control and were demonstrating great response.”

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Breast cancer patients often complement their medical treatment with alternative and complementary therapies. Biological-based therapies such as diet supplements and vitamins are the most popular followed by a variety of mind-body therapies, according to a Michigan State University researcher working to create a decision support program for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and those recovering from surgery.

Use of alternative therapies may be a quality of life issue for breast cancer patients. “Quality of life is a research priority for the National Institutes of Health as it pertains to breast cancer,” Wyatt said. “Patients link symptoms to quality of life; if you have to live with breast cancer, then let’s have the highest quality of life we can during the process and make it as humane as possible.”

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