Complementary Approaches to Pain for Children

Abstract

Pain, an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience, affects children often and is one of the most common reasons to seek care. Pain in the pediatric patient population often goes unrecognized and is not assessed appropriately and adequately, leading to mismanagement and increased use of pharmacological methods to relieve pain. Pediatric surgical nurses must understand the numerous influential factors and assessment strategies in order to contribute to pain management, ensuring the appropriate pain assessment tool is used based on the child's age, cognitive development, culture, and beliefs. Complementary approaches should be included, when possible, to aid in eliminating or controlling pain in children. Alternative options, such as distraction, skin-to-skin contact, guided imagery, and hypnosis, are effective in reducing or eliminating pediatric pain. They can be used alone or in conjunction with traditional treatment plans, even in the perioperative period. Pediatric nurses can benefit from learning, understanding, and using the complementary approaches outlined for pain management in this vulnerable population.