"Even simple
breathing and relax-
ation techniques can
really make a dent at
decreasing the inten-
sity of pain and the
perception of pain,"
says Dr.
Maheshwari, clinical
assistant professor
of anesthesiology at
Case Western
Reserve University
School of Medicine,
also in Cleveland.
To get the best use of integrated therapies, give patients educational
material on meditation and breathing techniques 7 to 10 days before
their procedure so they can familiarize themselves with them, says Dr.
Maheshwari. He even uses guided imagery intraoperatively to distract
anxious or pediatric patients through procedures such as a block.
"I'll start by asking the patient to take a mental walk through their
house. I take them room by room, asking them to count the number of
doors and windows and to imagine looking at the furniture. Next thing
you know, the procedure is done," he says. "The patient is usually
meaningfully calmer and even surprised that the procedure went so
quickly."
The use of integrated therapy continues to provide benefits in the
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center recovery room, where
patients can use their phone to gain access to guided imagery messages
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 8 7
• A NEEDFUL KNEAD Massage can help patients through post-op issues like consti-
pation and insomnia.
Briana
Pruitt/UH
Connor
Integrative
Health
Network
