This research aimed to detect the care giving practices related to pain presence in users of the Brazil’s Unified Health System - Sistema Único de Saúde. The data collection focused on interviews with 60 adults, in which 34 of these belonged to an outpatient department of a public hospital, and 26 of these patients belonged to the Basic Health Unit. This study used thematic analysis and qualitative approach. Hierarchy of care related values was observed in which women are found to be the main caregivers. The family network is activated in which the female gender is predominant in the home care giving. The continuity of the therapeutical itinerary occurs with the use of home remedies, family support and neighborhood. They also resort to God and self-medication. They seek for health service after homemade attempts. This itinerary can take some time in which the people live with the pain. The research reveals a complex net of feelings and meanings that interact with the socio-cultural environment. I can be concluded that it is important for the professionals to know care giving alternatives contextualized to the users.
Nursing Care; Nursing; Pain; Culture; Complementary Therapies