Patient Guide 
Key Information for Your Stay
Pain Relief Options

Pain Relief Options

Going Beyond Medicine

Managing your pain is an important part of healing. When you’re in the hospital, your doctor may prescribe medicine to help you feel better. Tell your doctor or nurse if you’ve had a reaction to pain medicine in the past, you don’t want more pain medicine, or you don’t want any at all. They can work with you to find other ways to make you more comfortable.

Hospitals offer different ways to treat pain besides medicines. Options may include: 

  • massage therapy 
  • physical therapy 
  • electrical nerve stimulation 
  • acupuncture 
  • relaxation therapy 
  • music therapy 
  • heat and cold therapy

Talk to your care team about what options are available and safe for you. And work with your doctor to make a plan to manage your pain after your hospital stay. 

You can also try these tips on your own to help relax your body and relieve pain:

  • Dim or turn off the lights to help create a relaxing space. 
  • Practice meditation—on your own, with a video or through a mindfulness smartphone app. 
  • Use exercises like deep breathing and guided imagery. 
  • Play calming music, like piano or nature sounds. Look for music channels on your TV. 
  • Take your mind off pain by watching a movie, reading or playing a game.

Deep Breathing Exercise

  1. Get in a comfortable position. Starting from your head to your toes, relax each muscle.
  2. Close your eyes and think of a peaceful scene. 
  3. Put your hands on your belly. Breathe in slowly while counting to a number, like 3 or 5. Feel your belly expand. 
  4. Breathe out slowly at the same speed. Feel your muscles relax even more with each breath out.


Continue for up to 10 minutes. If you start to feel out of breath, return to your normal breathing.

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