Why prescribe pain killers when a drug-free solution has better outcomes? Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) could offer a long term solution with increased patient benefits. To summarize the study, children who underwent ACT had better outcomes for pain management than those prescribed amiriptyline (a sedative used to treat chronic pain) and traditional therapy.

While prescribing medicine may be straight forward and traditional, for idiopathic symptoms, it may not always be the most beneficial or effective treatment for the patient. The question, “What is best for this patient,” should always come to mind before deciding on a treatment plan.

For further elaboration, read the original TIME article:

TIME — Talk Therapy for Kids’ Pain: Better than Pills?