Factors that relieve pain

Pain can be relieved by social, psychological or biomedical factors—for example, applying a heat pack (biomedical), interacting with family or friends (social) or practicing relaxation techniques (psychological). Positive strategies that the patient has developed to manage their pain can be integrated into their pain management plan. See c_agg7-c02-s1.html#agg7-c02-s1__tagg7-c02-tbl2 for questions to ask about relieving factors. Negative strategies that the patient has developed to relieve pain (eg unsanctioned dose increases, physical activity avoidance) must also be addressed.