Which nonpharmacological pain management technique can be effectively used for chronic pain?

A. High-dose glucocorticoids: These are potent anti-inflammatory pharmacological agents used to treat acute exacerbations of autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. They are not classified as nonpharmacological techniques and carry significant long-term risks like osteoporosis and hyperglycemia. Their use is strictly biochemical rather than behavioral or physical. B. Immediate surgical intervention: Surgery is an invasive medical procedure intended to correct anatomical defects or pathological lesions. It is the antithesis of nonpharmacological therapy and is often the last resort for chronic pain management. It involves significant physiological stress and potential postoperative complications. C. IV fluids: Intravenous hydration is a medical intervention used to correct electrolyte imbalances or maintain hemodynamic stability. It has no therapeutic role in the modulation of chronic nociceptive or neuropathic pain pathways. It is a physiological support measure rather than a pain management modality. D. Mindfulness meditation: This cognitive technique encourages non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, which modulates the emotional response to persistent pain. It can reduce the activation of the amygdala and improve the patient's functional coping mechanisms. It is a validated evidence-based nonpharmacological approach for chronic pain.