Sometimes drugs are administered only when a patient requests them. The patient may suffer needlessly if he or she is unwilling to speak up, or if he or she feels that the pain medication should only be requested if the pain is extreme. The key to appropriate pain management lies in thoroughly assessing and monitoring the patient's pain. The hospice worker and the patient work together so that a record of the patient's pain can be maintained. This record should include pain rating, duration of pain, the drug used to alleviate the pain, side effects, and the duration of the drug's effect.
Physical agents offer effective, non-drug methods that can be used to control pain.
Physical agents are often used in conjunction with medication. Massage benefits the patient by increasing circulation, restoring homeostasis, and reducing pain via counter-irritation. One study showed that men with cancer who received ten minutes of massage experienced a significant decrease in pain.2 Massage also provides soothing effects that can help a patient relax both physically and mentally. Superficial heating and cooling of tissues can help decrease muscle spasm, pain, and resolve local infections. TENS can be used for pain relief associated with decreased mobility secondary to poor posturing.