Pain management in the geriatric population

Abstract

Pain is a highly prevalent and clinically important problem in the elderly. Unfortunately, due to difficulties in assessing pain in geriatric patients, the complexities of multiple comorbidities, and the high prevalence of polypharmacy, many practitioners are reluctant to treat pain aggressively in this unique patient population. Safe and effective treatment therefore, requires a working knowledge of the physiologic changes associated with aging, the challenges of accurately assessing pain, the unique effects of common therapeutic agents upon the elderly as well as the importance of adjunctive therapies. The following review is intended to provide the practitioner with practical knowledge for safer and more effective treatment of pain.

Some non-pharmacological treatment options include physical therapy, osteopathic manipulation, massage therapy, TENS units, acupuncture, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy.