INTG-01 - Stress, Anxiety, and Insomnia, Oh My! Integrative Medical Approaches for These Co-Morbid Pain Drivers

The relationship between pain and depression is well known, however less well-known, but well-established, is the bidirectional relationship of pain with stress, anxiety and insomnia. Approximately 50% of patients with chronic pain have insomnia, and up to 50% with insomnia have chronic pain. Anxiety and stress can exacerbate and perpetuate pain, and may actually lower pain thresholds increasing treatment difficulty.

This presentation will critically evaluate the evidence for safety, efficacy and applicability of various nonpharmacologic approaches to stress, anxiety and insomnia. Treatment of stress, anxiety and insomnia often involves medications with significant side effects which can interfere with quality of life, other medication or interventions for pain management. It will demonstrate evidence-based options to reduce, or even eliminate, the need for medications in the treatment of stress, anxiety and insomnia. The presentation will help the participant to formulate effective implementation plans for utilizing appropriate Integrative Medical interventions with evidence-based non-pharmacologic interventions for the treatment of stress, anxiety and insomnia associated with pain.