Breathing management: a simple stress and pain reduction strategy for use on a pediatric service.

A review of the pediatric literature on pain and stress reducing strategies is followed by a description of a breathing management and relaxation technique. Its use as a pain coping method is illustrated by two cases on a pediatric service. The positive responses of stress affected patients suggests that this approach can be effective in reducing feelings of panic and anxiety as a reaction to pain and the anticipation of pain.