PAIN: HOW TO HELP?
Massage
Qualified masseurs are often found these days working with the pain unit. Massage can range from the typical European style of massage to the Oriental-style Shiatsu therapy now popular with patients attending pain units. The main difference from conventional massage is that Shiatsu uses the points and principles of acupuncture.
Recently, with the epidemic of repetitive strain injury in Australia, massage has been found to be extremely effective with many patients.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy, as mentioned in the chapter on pain clinics, is useful both to provide patients with assistance in the necessary activities of daily living. This may be done by assistance in the provision of aids such as tap turners, special chairs or rails which can be used by some patients in the home to increase mobility.
The occupational therapist can also help reassess capacity for work, make visits to work sites to assess suitability and to make ergonomic assessments.
Social workers
Social workers play an important role in helping to direct attention to necessary welfare arrangements and accommodation.
Because of the far-reaching problems associated with chronic pain, it is sometimes advisable for the social worker to make direct contact with the family of the pain patient, the employer or even friends.
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