Distraction teaches you to focus your attention on something other than pain. Using planned activities helps to manage the boredom that chronic pain and illness can cause. It may also cause you to relax and keep you from thinking about the pain.

	Types of Distraction: Playing cards or board games Watching TV Playing video games Taking a walk Doing crafts, painting Reading Listening to music Visiting with friends or family
Distraction may be used alone to manage mild pain or used with medicine to manage brief episodes of severe pain, such as pain related to procedures. Distraction is useful when you are waiting for pain medicine to start working. If the pain is mild, you may be able to distract yourself for hours. Distraction can be a powerful way of relieving even the most intense pain for awhile.

Any activity that occupies your attention can be used for distraction.




[Acupunture] [Distraction] [Music] [Main] [Index]


REFERENCES

Health Touch Online. (2007). Non-pharmacolocial pain management therapies for adults. Retrieved February 3, 2007, from http://www.healthtouch.com/bin/EContent_HT/cnoteShowLfts.aspfname=02345&title=NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL+PAIN+MANAGEMENT+THERAPIES+FOR+ADULTS+&cid=HTHLTH. National Institutes of Health: National Cancer Institute. (2003). Pain control: A guide for people with cancer and their families. Retrieved March 15, 2007, from http://www.cancer.gov/PDF/6cf290bc-826e-4de3-83d8-69219c99c0b9/paincontrol.pdf