Complementary and alternative approaches for chronic pain

Chronic pain in children and adolescents can be diffi cult to treat. Many parents and children are turning to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to gain relief for conditions as varied as migraines, juvenile arthritis, sickle cell disease, and functional abdominal pain (FAP). This chapter highlights some of the more wellknown, safe, and effi cacious CAM treatments for children and adolescents, including acupuncture, hypnotherapy, biofeedback, yoga, massage, and meditation. A review of the literature is presented, as well as guidelines for parents and clinicians who are interested in pursuing CAM for pain relief in young people.