Integrated pain management: using omega 3 fatty acids in a naturopathic model

Pain management for patients with chronic pain is a difficult task for most physicians. Many pain centers are beginning to use an integrative approach to pain management by including naturopathic physicians on the patient's team. The foundation of naturopathic care is the therapeutic order of treatment. Initially, those factors that determine the foundation of health are addressed, such as diet, sleep, emotional wellness, and exercise. A naturopathic physician will then tailor treatment to the level of disease starting with less invasive treatments or those with lesser risk of toxicity, such as botanical medicine, clinical nutrients, and homeopathy. The next step on the therapeutic order is to correct structural integrity through acupuncture and manual therapies. Finally, natural and synthetic are applied to address hormonal, immunologic aspects of pain or for symptomatic relief. The highest force interventions include medications with greater risk of toxicity and surgical interventions.