NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL (COMFORT) MEASURES FOR PAIN AND DISTRESS IN CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND YOUNG ADULTS.

Painful experiences are almost always accompanied by significant amounts of anxiety and distress by both the individual experiencing the pain and those who care for him/her. Although pharmacologic agents (medicines) should be used as a primary tool to manage pain, they do not necessarily treat anxiety and distress. Strategies patients and their caregivers can use to decrease distress from pain include preparing both child or teen and parent for painful procedures, manipulating the environment to decrease annoying stimuli, using distraction techniques, and principles of relaxation. Caregivers can also be taught additional comfort measures that are age appropriate, such as positioning, use of heat/cold, and physical activity. These measures are most effective when used in combination with pain medication and used to prevent or reduce pain before it becomes moderate or severe.

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