Here’s A Guide To Pain Management

Medical Pain Management Sources

Aspirin, Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen are the most common pain relievers that you’re probably used to. You go to your local grocery store, pick up a bottle of Aleve or Tylenol, and you hope to rid yourself of the pain of a headache or even a mild aching back.

Prescription medications are the next step up. This is when a simple over the counter pill won’t help dull the edge of the pain you’re feeling. But the problem with these is, you usually eel drowsy and if you work and have to drive, it can cause problems by interfering with your daily routine.

Nerve blocking can be used as a solution because it’s not as invasive and risky as surgery is. This is when the doctor injects a medication directly into a spot where your nerves are causing pain to your body. It numbs the nerves so that you don’t have to feel pain in that area anymore.

Surgery is an option depending on what your type of pain is. If it’s a chronic condition and pain relievers that basically keep you sedated or drowsy aren’t an option, then you might want to consider this path.

Surgical treatment varies. Sometimes, a doctor can snip something (as in the case with a discectomy where a portion of a herniated disc is removed) and your pain is gone for good.

Other times, you may have to have something inserted into your body to help you manage pain. For example, back and neck pain might be managed with a pain pump or stimulator.

A pain pump delivers medication right to the source so that you don’t have to run to the doctor whenever you’re hurting. An electrical stimulator delivers electric impulses that help get rid of or minimize your pain.

Physical therapy can range from simple ice or heat packs to more individualized treatment where you’re working one on one with a specialist to help you regain normalcy in your life.

The trainer might have you do a variety of stretches, help you gain strength in certain areas of your body, and work with you to assist in making you more flexible.

Exercise is something your doctor might actually prescribe when you’re in pain. Again, back pain is a good example of this. There are stretches you can do on the floor to strengthen and stretch muscles without the need of a trainer.

Chiropractic therapy is perfect for those who are in pain due to a misalignment of your bones and muscles. This is a natural, non-medicated option for those seeking pain relief.

Psychiatric counseling is another thing your doctor might recommend. When you do suffer from an on-going pain issue, it can result in depression and anxiety – and that, in turn, adds to the severity of the pain.

It’s a vicious circle. Having a psychiatrist to unload your emotional stress to can help alleviate your pain to some degree, and help you to better manage it using other therapies.

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