Complementary medicine in chronic pain treatment

This chapter looks at therapies that are considered "alternative" to conventional medical approaches. A definition of "complementary and alternative" medicine is considered in the context of the complex and clinically challenging field of pain medicine. A rationale for studying unorthodox treatments of chronic pain is presented. The challenges of an evidence-based approach to incorporating complementary therapies are explored, and a brief survey of several commonly available complementary medicine therapies is provided.