29/08/2025
**Innovative Approaches to Managing Pain*
Managing pain is not just about swallowing tablets. It is about using different methods (old and new) to make life easier for people living with pain.
Let’s break it down into 5 main approaches.
*A. Medicines that Relieve Pain*
This is the most common approach people know.
Simple painkillers: Like paracetamol or ibuprofen. These are often used for headaches, malaria pains, or menstrual cramps.
Stronger medicines: For people with sickle cell crises, cancer pain, or after big surgeries, doctors sometimes prescribe medicines like tramadol and morphine.
For Example: In Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), patients with severe cancer pain are given liquid morphine. This helps them sleep, eat, and spend time with family instead of rolling in pain.
But medicines alone are not enough. Let’s see other innovative ways.
*B. Talking Therapy (Counselling and Support Groups)*
Pain is not only in the body. It also affects the mind.
Sometimes, when you talk about your pain, it feels lighter.
Support groups help too. For example, people with sickle cell disease meet together, share stories, and encourage each other.
For Example: In Enugu, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital runs a sickle cell club where children and parents learn coping skills and share experiences. Just hearing “you are not alone” reduces the suffering.
*Use of Non-drug Options and Safe Cultural Practices*
In Nigeria, people often use local remedies like hot water massage, herbs, or prayer. Some are helpful, but some can be harmful.
For example, rubbing warm shea butter on painful joints can soothe muscles.
Please note this important information: drinking strong concoctions ( like agbo) without knowing the content can damage the liver or kidneys.
Doctors are still studying which traditional remedies are truly safe so they can be combined with hospital treatments. Until they confirm whether they are really good and safe or not, do not drink them.
*D. Technology and Pain Management*
Technology is slowly changing how Nigerians manage pain.
Telemedicine: In rural areas where there are no specialists, people can now consult doctors via phone or video calls.
Mobile Apps: Some apps help patients track pain levels and remind them when to take medicines.
Radio/WhatsApp groups: Health workers use radio programs and WhatsApp to teach people about pain relief. Just like this group.
Example: During COVID-19, many cancer patients in Abuja and all over Nigeria could not visit the hospital. Doctors followed them up on phone, asking: “How is your pain today? Have you taken your medicines?” This prevented unnecessary suffering.
*E. Lifestyle and Home-Based Approaches*
Sometimes, simple changes make a big difference.
Exercise: Walking or stretching helps people with arthritis or back pain.
Healthy diet: Eating vegetables, fruits, and less fatty food reduces body inflammation.
Rest and sleep: Proper rest helps the body heal.
Faith and prayer: For many Nigerians, prayer provides comfort and strength, reducing how much pain is felt.
For Example: A woman in Kano with chronic back pain was advised to do gentle morning stretches instead of just lying down. Within months, she was moving better and needing fewer drugs.
*F. Community and Family Involvement*
In Nigeria, family is everything.
When family members understand pain, they can help, by reminding patients to take medicines, helping them with doing chores, or simply giving emotional support.
Communities too can provide support. Churches, mosques, and local groups often check on sick members.
For Example: In Anambra, a local church group visits members with chronic illnesses every week, helping them with food and prayer. That support reduces the “silent scream” of pain.
Managing pain is not just about swallowing tablets. It is about using different methods (old and new) to make life easier for people living with pain.
Let’s break it down into 5 main approaches.
*A. Medicines that Relieve Pain*
This is the most common approach people know.
Simple painkillers: Like paracetamol or ibuprofen. These are often used for headaches, malaria pains, or menstrual cramps.
Stronger medicines: For people with sickle cell crises, cancer pain, or after big surgeries, doctors sometimes prescribe medicines like tramadol and morphine.
For Example: In Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), patients with severe cancer pain are given liquid morphine. This helps them sleep, eat, and spend time with family instead of rolling in pain.
But medicines alone are not enough. Let’s see other innovative ways.
*B. Talking Therapy (Counselling and Support Groups)*
Pain is not only in the body. It also affects the mind.
Sometimes, when you talk about your pain, it feels lighter.
Support groups help too. For example, people with sickle cell disease meet together, share stories, and encourage each other.
For Example: In Enugu, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital runs a sickle cell club where children and parents learn coping skills and share experiences. Just hearing “you are not alone” reduces the suffering.
*Use of Non-drug Options and Safe Cultural Practices*
In Nigeria, people often use local remedies like hot water massage, herbs, or prayer. Some are helpful, but some can be harmful.
For example, rubbing warm shea butter on painful joints can soothe muscles.
Please note this important information: drinking strong concoctions ( like agbo) without knowing the content can damage the liver or kidneys.
Doctors are still studying which traditional remedies are truly safe so they can be combined with hospital treatments. Until they confirm whether they are really good and safe or not, do not drink them.
*D. Technology and Pain Management*
Technology is slowly changing how Nigerians manage pain.
Telemedicine: In rural areas where there are no specialists, people can now consult doctors via phone or video calls.
Mobile Apps: Some apps help patients track pain levels and remind them when to take medicines.
Radio/WhatsApp groups: Health workers use radio programs and WhatsApp to teach people about pain relief. Just like this group.
Example: During COVID-19, many cancer patients in Abuja and all over Nigeria could not visit the hospital. Doctors followed them up on phone, asking: “How is your pain today? Have you taken your medicines?” This prevented unnecessary suffering.
*E. Lifestyle and Home-Based Approaches*
Sometimes, simple changes make a big difference.
Exercise: Walking or stretching helps people with arthritis or back pain.
Healthy diet: Eating vegetables, fruits, and less fatty food reduces body inflammation.
Rest and sleep: Proper rest helps the body heal.
Faith and prayer: For many Nigerians, prayer provides comfort and strength, reducing how much pain is felt.
For Example: A woman in Kano with chronic back pain was advised to do gentle morning stretches instead of just lying down. Within months, she was moving better and needing fewer drugs.
*F. Community and Family Involvement*
In Nigeria, family is everything.
When family members understand pain, they can help, by reminding patients to take medicines, helping them with doing chores, or simply giving emotional support.
Communities too can provide support. Churches, mosques, and local groups often check on sick members.
For Example: In Anambra, a local church group visits members with chronic illnesses every week, helping them with food and prayer. That support reduces the “silent scream” of pain.
