Nonpharrnacologic Interventions for the Management of Chronic Pain in Older Women

Abstract

Chronic pain can induce tremendous suffering, seriously affect.the quality of life, and impair optimal daily functioning in older adults. Advances in the conceptualization and treatment of pain support the use of a multirnodal approach to pain management incorporating both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for the most effective management of chronic pain. Nonpharmacologic interventions, used concomitantly with pharmacologic approaches, typically result in more effective pain control, less reliance on medications, fewer side effects, less clinical impairment and an increased sense of personal control over pain.