Some practical treatment methods of dealing with pain disabilities in rural Ghana.

Background and aims The investigation was conducted among six practitioners and twenty-two patients in rural Ghana, where both practitioners and patients, were asked to unveil effective methods of treating pain and pain disabilities. Methods The investigation utilised strictly observational methods in acquiring data from two communities. Both patients and practitioners were later interviewed in a manner that elicited certain information needed to provide accurate understanding concerning these treatments methods they give to patients. These participant observations yielded important data, which enlightened us on appropriate techniques that serve the need and expectations of rural dwellers in their management and coping with pain disabilities. Results Careful treatment methods include the use of various herbal medicinal plants in order to supplement the official drugs administered by doctors. Those methods consist of incisions, oral, nasal drops, anal insertions, bandaging with use of strong pepper and ginger, and rubbing of medicines in a lotion form on the pain affected skin or areas. Treatments serve as "first aid" where pain disabilities are treated to many troubled patients with anxiety, confusion, and shock. Doctors in highly equipped hospitals are aware of these pain treatments in the less populated regions, but they are at variance as to whether patients receive maximum help. Conclusion In regard to pain treatments, earlier treatments received from centres where non-scientific practitioners operate, do not reveal harm done to patients; they do provide support and serve as "First aid" upon which biomedical practitioners perform their own specialist treatments.