Do you suffer from pain? For those of us who suffer pain on a regular basis, we know how challenging it can be to manage. So, what is the best way for chronic pain management? We all seem to have our own opinions and advice, but what’s the right course of action?
Unbearable pain can take a toll on your life. You may find yourself avoiding social situations or giving up hobbies because it makes it hard to concentrate, hard to talk, and even harder to enjoy yourself. But don’t worry! There are many things that you can do to manage your pain.
What is Pain Management?
Pain management is the process by which pain is reduced or alleviated. The goal of pain management is to improve the quality of life for people who suffer from chronic or debilitating conditions.
It is better and more convenient to find a pain care clinic in your vicinity. By doing so, you will be able to get the care that you need quickly and efficiently. You’ll find that the individuals in these clinics are uniquely trained to help you get your life back on track. Hence, there is no reason why you ever need to suffer in silence!
Here are the six fundamental rules that will help you manage your pain:
1. Identify Your Pain Triggers
People who suffer from chronic conditions often have specific things that trigger their pain. Common pain triggers include bright lights, loud noises, and strong smells. Everyone’s a little different regarding their own triggers, so it’s best to spend time thinking about what yours might be. Once you know what triggers the pain you feel, you can devise a plan to avoid them or minimize the impact they have on your every-day life.
2. Avoid Certain Things at All Costs
If there are specific things in life that bring you immediate relief (such as drugs), it’s easy to become dependent on them – so much that you forget how they impact your life. Narcotics, such as painkillers, for example, often cause patients to feel drowsy and out of it when taking them. When taken too often or in large doses, these types of drugs can also do permanent damage to your organs. The main takeaway is that painkillers should be used sparingly and under doctor’s orders only. You should also ensure that you take the medicines prescribed by your doctor and follow his/her instructions to a T (no cutting pills in half or doubling up on doses).
3. Make Changes in Your Daily Routine
The best way to manage chronic pain is through regular exercise. Did you know that starting an exercise program can be just as beneficial as starting an antidepressant? It’s true! People who exercise regularly (even if only for 20 minutes at a time) find that they can manage their pain better than before. Exercise has also been known to help people sleep better, which is crucial for the health of those who are suffering from chronic pain.
4. Develop Healthy Coping Strategies
When you suffer from mental distress caused by physical pain, it can be easy to give up and close yourself off from society. However, learning how to cope with the negative thoughts and emotions associated with your condition will not only make life easier – but less painful as well! Some helpful coping mechanisms include deep breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga.
5. Communicate Your Needs
No one knows how you feel like you do, so you must speak up if things seem too difficult or painful (such as in the event of a flare-up). If someone asks how you are doing and you say “fine,” they might assume that everything is okay, when in reality it is not. By communicating with friends and loved ones about your condition, they can help support your efforts towards managing your pain.
6. Live Life to the Fullest!
Imagine a life in which every day revolved around managing your pain in order to get through another 24 hours. This can be a very frustrating way to live – and it’s certainly not the life you should have. Chronic pain can make going through your daily activities difficult, but don’t let it stand in your way of living a full and happy life!
One best way to deal with your pain is to surround yourself with positive people, avoid negative thinking, and seek help from a pain specialist. A support system of family and friends is essential, but so is a support system of healthcare professionals – so don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Overall, don’t forget to seek help if the pain gets too difficult to manage. While self-administered pain management strategies are critical, it might be the case that your pain is more severe and difficult to handle than you think. In such instances, you can find pain management doctors who will be able to review your pain and conditions and prescribe the correct treatment for you.
The Different Types of Pain Treatment
Whatever pain treatment you are looking for, you can find it at an accredited and reputable pain management clinic in your area. Some centers specialize in back pain treatment, leg pain treatment, neck pain treatment, and many more!
You should choose the center which has an experienced doctor who has treated many patients successfully before. You can read online reviews or ask around to ensure that the facility you have in mind is indeed one that you can go to with confidence.
Here are the types of pain management treatment you can partake in:
1. Medication
This is one of the most common types of pain management treatments. A pain specialist will prescribe you medication and possibly other supplements to reduce the pain that you are experiencing. Only doctors can offer you prescription drugs and ensure that you take the proper dosage for your condition.
It is also important to note that treatment without medication is possible. For instance, you can utilize off-the-counter topical pain relief cream. Yes! Topical pain cream is one of the best and most effective home remedies to cure minor discomforts, such as back pain, leg pain, headaches, and much more!
2. Injections
Most doctors will utilize injection treatments when oral or topical medication is no longer effective in treating a patient’s pain. Treatments involving injection concern administering medicine directly into the source of the problem to reduce the pressure on nerves, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc. However, if not done correctly, it might cause further injury! So, ensure that you go to an accredited professional for a procedure like this one.
3. Surgery
If your injury or illness cannot be treated effectively with medication or injections, surgery may be necessary to improve function and decrease the source of pain. Not all types of pain management surgery are considered to be major surgery. Some surgeries, such as joint replacement, can even be done on an outpatient basis, where patients return home shortly after the procedure is completed.
4. Physical Therapy
One alternative method in treating pain which is usually prescribed in unison with medication is physical therapy. Physical therapy is designed to help restore movement in joints, muscles, and other tissues in the body. Therapists may use ice or heat to reduce pain and swelling, and they will teach you about exercises you can participate in at home to improve your strength, coordination, and flexibility.
5. Spinal Cord Stimulation
Some patients’ conditions benefit from spinal cord stimulation (SCS). This type of therapy is similar to the operational outcomes of a cardiac pacemaker and is often used to treat chronic pelvic and abdominal pain in women. SCS is also regularly used to treat certain types of back pain. In treatment involving SCS, a small device that delivers electrical impulses along the spinal cord is implanted into a patient’s body to block pain signals from traveling to his or her brain.
6. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
TENS is another type of non-drug therapy which is often used to alleviate pain. The TENS system applies low-voltage electrical pulses via electrodes which are placed on the patient’s the skin. The stimulation causes the body to block pain messages from traveling through the spinal cord and to the brain. While it doesn’t work for everyone, for some people, this TENS therapy offers substantial benefits.
7. Psychological Therapy
To improve your condition, you can also take support from psychological therapy. The therapist will guide you in stress-management skills and coping strategies to help you deal with the pain every day. It is beneficial for people who are suffering from chronic back pain or other long-term conditions.
8. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of therapy which can be administered by a psychologist or psychiatrist. During cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, you will learn to identify and manage problematic emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that may exacerbate the pain that you feel. For instance, if a negative mood worsens your arthritis symptoms, you might work with your psychiatrist or psychologist to develop strategies for managing stress and improving your outlook on life.
9. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another alternative method of pain management treatment that mainly uses needles inserted in designated points around the body to help control pain and correct body imbalances.
10. Massage Therapy
Massage is not just for relaxation but can also reduce muscle tension and knots that contribute to pain! It’s good when used along with other therapies such as chiropractic or osteopathic manipulations.
11. Yoga
It is not just for relaxation, but it can also stretch and strengthen muscles, promoting better posture to reduce pain! It’s good when used along with other therapies such as chiropractic or osteopathic manipulations.
12. Mindfulness Meditation
Chronic pain may leave you feeling powerless over your own mind and body, but mindfulness meditation can help change this state of mind by teaching you how to take charge of your thoughts and sensations – even if they’re negative! Research shows that the simple practice of meditation can be very effective in reducing one’s experience of pain, as well as one’s levels of depression and anxiety.
13. Exercise
Obviously, the best preventative measure to take in avoiding pain is to avoid getting injured or sick in the first place, but this isn’t always possible. This being said, if you do become injured, don’t just sit around and wait for your body to heal on its own- take it upon yourself to be proactive and get moving! Research shows that exercise can minimize chronic pain by triggering the release of endorphins, which are your brain’s built-in natural painkillers. Additionally, physical activity can change the way your brain responds to painful sensations over time.
As mentioned above, there are numerous types of treatments which you could partake in to manage your pain. It is important to remember that no method is superior to others – what works for a person depends on his or her unique circumstances! Be sure to discuss your options with your doctor to find what would work best for you. However, if you aren’t satisfied with the results of your treatment(s), see your doctor for another option – don’t be shy! Remember that there’s no harm in trying something new when it comes to curing pain.
Conclusion
Different types of pain management treatment work for different individuals. Only you and your doctor can determine what treatment options will work best for you. Although it’s not easy to alleviate chronic pain, always remember that relief is possible – even if it requires trying different therapies until you find one that works!
Don’t let pain control your life! You have the power to improve your physical and mental well-being by finding the proper treatment for you. Ensure that you seek help from a medical expert who will take the time to listen to you and, consider your needs and preferences, and provide you with an individualized care plan.
