Take Back Control over the pain : A literature review on Patients' Experiences of Treatment with Non-Pharmacological Alternatives for Chronic Pain within Healthcare

Background: Chronic pain affects 20% of the global population and is defined as a sensory and emotional experience of pain lasting more than three months. It can result from conditions such as lower back pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and musculoskeletal disorders, impacting both physical function and mental health. Pain-relieving medications are often the first choice of treatment, but long-term use carries the risk of side effects. Non-pharmacological treatments offer an alternative that can reduce dependence on medications, enhance functional ability, and improve quality of life. Aim: The purpose of this study was to highlight the experience of nonpharmacological treatment options within healthcare for patients with chronic pain. Method: The method used in this study was a literature review. Both qualitative and quantitative articles were included. The databases used for the search were PubMed and CINAHL, with the majority of the articles found in CINAHL. The searches resulted in 10 scientific articles, which were quality assessed and compiled. Results: The results led to three main themes and seven subthemes. The first theme, “Patient Experiences of Non-Pharmacological Treatments, ”highlighted how patients engaged with the different treatments, how they experienced the effects, and how they interpreted the results. This theme also emphasized the various types of treatments. The second theme, “Loneliness in the Invisible Suffering,” explored into how patients experienced their lives and daily routines before and during the treatments, with a strong focus on a sense of loneliness that could not be healed, although this might have changed with treatment. Finally, the third theme, “To find strength beyond chronic pain” reflected the patients' positive influence from the treatments they received, which helped them experience reduced suffering and view life from a more positive perspective. Conclusion: The experience of the different treatment options varied for different individuals. Some described that the nonpharmacological treatments provided temporary pain relief, and the effect improved as the frequency of treatments increased. Living with chronic pain causes stress, as it can increase difficulties in daily life, and it has also been shown that stress exacerbates the experience of pain. Therefore, a changed mindset and acceptance of pain contributed to better pain management. By participating in the treatment, individuals were given a chance to take control of their pain with their own hands.