This book provides an overview of pain mechanisms as currently understood, and details a variety of approaches to pain management used across a wide range of complementary disciplines. A final chapter integrates these body-based and mind-body approaches, and helps the clinician offer the most effective care for the patient.

The first part of the book discusses pain symptoms and the ways in which pain is experienced by individual patients. This section deals with the anatomy and pathology of pain, and describes present views of what causes pain to occur and persist. Integrative care concepts are presented, emphasizing multi-disciplinary approaches to addressing pain.

In the second part, expert contributors describe therapeutic approaches to addressing pain conditions and implementing self-care management options, specific to the various disciplines. When available, research supporting the evidence for these interventions is incorporated.

In the last chapter, the editors model various care pathways based on these approaches to assist healthcare practitioners in deciding how to effectively co-manage pain, including guidance on when and where to refer.

Foreword… Preface… Contributors… Introduction… Glossary

Overview of integrative healthcare and pain Bonnie B. O’Conner

Anatomy and neurobiology of pain Ruth Werner and Geoffrey M. Bove

Pain theory and models for treatment Bronwyn Lennox Thompson

Massage therapy: general Susan Davis

Massage therapy: lymphatic techniques Lisa Santoro

Massage therapy: scars and pain Nancy Keeney-Smith

Structural bodywork and facial balancing Lauren Christman and Richard Polishuk

Osteopathic techniques Matthew Stewart

Functional taping John Balletto

Traditional Chinese medicine bodywork: Tui Na Benjamin Apichai

Interactive movement practices: The Feldenkrais Method^®  Nancy Haller and Patricia Buchanan

Interactive movement practices: Trager Jack Blackburn

Yoga therapy Neil Pearson

Tai Chi/Qi Gong Chenchen Wang and Ramel Rones

Mindfulness-based interventions Carolyn McManus

Body awareness and pain Cynthia J. Price and Wolf Mehling

Pathways to integrative clinical care Marissa Brooks and Diana L. Thompson

Additional information

Author biography

Diana THOMPSON a licensed massage therapist for 30 years, has a private practice in Seattle, USA, treating acute and chronic soft tissue disorders, specializing in post-operative care. She is author of Hands Heal: Communication, Documentation and Insurance Billing for Manual Therapists“, now in its fourth edition. She was also the author from 2010-2013 of a regular column in Massage and Bodywork Magazine, titled “Somatic Research”. Diana lectures internationally at massage, acupuncture, midwifery, chiropractic, physician and physical therapy conferences and is a consultant for massage therapy research with The Research Institute at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle. She is a past president of the Massage Therapy Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by supporting scientific research, education, and community service.

Marissa BROOKS is a past Director of Health Improvement Programs for the Health Benefits Trust where she oversaw the administration and development of health care benefits for 14,000 Home Care Aides in Washington State. She developed programs to help HCAs improve their health and reduce their cost of health care. Recently retired from 18 years in clinical massage practice, Marissa is able to contribute to the field of integrative health in other ways. She now focuses on improving population health and access to massage and other complementary care disciplines. Her volunteer work includes working as a research reviewer for the Massage Therapy Foundation, best practice work and acting as Chair of the WA State Massage Board for the Washington State Department of Health. In 2013 Marissa received a Service to the Profession Special Award from the AMTA-WA for her work summarizing massage research as an Essential Health Benefit – a part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Prior to the Health Benefits Trust, Marissa worked in clinical research, best practice guideline development, scientific review committees, as chair of the state massage board, and on a public health research panel. She also managed a public health research program investigating the translational process, cost effectiveness and return on investment of Community Health Worker home visits for chronic health conditions. Her varied health care experience and expertise have allowed Marissa to deploy allopathic, complementary and alternative healthcare approaches to create an integrated approach to supporting the individual, the care system and the target population hence improving health and quality of life.