Rehabilitative measures for treatment of pain and inflammation

[Raeanne Dimick]

Treatment of pain and inflammation aims to facilitate movement and improve coordination of muscles and joints. Nondrug treatments include therapeutic exercise, heat, cold, electrical stimulation, cervical traction, massage, and acupuncture. These treatments are used for many disorders of muscles, tendons, and ligaments (see Table: Indications for Nondrug Pain Treatments). Prescribers should include the following:

Diagnosis
Type of treatment (eg, ultrasound, hot pack)
Location of application (eg, right shoulder, low back)
Frequency (eg, once/day, every other day)
Duration (eg, 10 days, 1 wk)

(See also Overview of Rehabilitation and Pain.)