Our philosophy & tips to help manage pain

As recently as 20 years ago, many physicians thought children did not even feel pain, and there were no pediatric pain management programs. Read more.

We know having a hospitalized child affects the entire family. We also understand how important family is to a child on a journey toward healing.

While we can't eliminate all the pain and anxiety that comes with medical treatment, we do work tirelessly to increase your child's comfort, and your peace of mind.

Using a consistent organizational approach and specially trained professionals who are responsive and sensitive, we partner with you and your child every step of the way. So while unique techniques and approaches may vary, our goals are always the same:

• Increase comfort to the highest possible level.
• Work with the child's entire family to develop an individual, multi-dimensional approach to pain management.

About children and pain, we believe...

• Infants and children of all ages can feel pain.
• Children don't always tell people when they feel pain.
• Children need to know the truth about painful procedures.
• Most pain due to medical procedures can be reduced by using medications, distraction, holding, and comforting.
• Some signs of pain in infants and children include crying, irritability, fast heart beat, fast breathing, and holding the painful site.
• Pain that is not treated may get in the way of physical and emotional healing.

We also believe children and their families have the right to...

• Cry, laugh, or even be mad if it helps make them feel better.

• Tell us when and where something hurts.
• Expect we will look for the signs of pain -- crying, irritability, sleeping more than usual, a fast heartbeat, breathing fast, and holding the painful spot.
• Expect an explanation of what is happening in a way that kids of any age can understand. We will make sure to answer your questions.
• Watch a movie, listen to music, play games, or read a book.
• Stay together during tough moments.
• Expect us to work quickly to get pain under control.

For more distraction techniques, download the complete guide Supporting Patients Through Procedural Hurts: "Tricks" for Managing Pain.

Examples of how we work with families include:

• Child life specialists often teach children coping techniques so they can calm themselves during procedures. For example, children can take slow, deep breaths, count or sing their favorite song.
• Offering tips and tricks to help your child manage pain. For example, parents can:
  • Stay near your child's face to comfort and redirect their attention toward you.
  • Help your child choose a comfortable position, and feel free to ask your healthcare team for suggestions.
  • Hold your child's hand.
  • Encourage your child to hold your hand, squeeze your hand and look at you.
  • Ask your child to think about a favorite thing, place or person.
  • Tell funny stories or jokes and sing songs.
• As one of the nation's leaders in innovative pain medicine evaluation, our Chronic Pain Treatment Program helps both hospitalized and outpatient children.

Content last reviewed: July 2011