
<b>For management of chronic pain in cancer patients</b> there are pain clinics that have teams of people, usually containing at least a psychologist and an anesthesiologist.   There are also doctors who are skilled in managing pain, and limit their practice to it.

Pain clinics generally use a combination of:

<b>1. Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs [NSAIDs]</b> 
These are called antiinflammatories -- they can be ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, or others.  They can be given as pills with meals, IM injection, or as suppositories.   

<b>2. Antidepressants</b> 
Antidepressants raise the pain threshold, and are given for that reason in people with chronic pain, and not necessarily because a person may be clinically depressed.

<b>3. Psychological Techniques</b> 
Specific psychological techniques for pain management, as well as relaxation exercises, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, visualization, massage, and possibly other modalities, are useful for addtional control over pain.

<b>4. Opiates</b>  
Opiates are given as a stable dose, with additional doses as a backup for breakthrough pain.  Opiates are usually given by mouth, injection, and/or patch.

<b>5. Bisphosphonates and/or Radiotherapy for Bone Pain</b>
For cancer patients, bone pain is perhaps the most tedious pain to manage.  In addition to the above combinations, &&url and/or &&url can be used to help control bone pain.
