Approximately 11.2 percent of Americans suffer from chronic pain. This type of pain can make it hard to go about your daily life. While some people try to deal with this pain using medication alone, a more multidisciplinary approach can lead to better results. Visiting a pain center is a good first step to coming up with a personalized, multidisciplinary plan to help you limit the amount of pain you need to deal with on a daily basis.
Medications
One of the first treatments people think of when considering pain management methods is medication. People suffering from chronic pain may get some relief from over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin, or they may need prescription medications like steroids, corticosteroids, antidepressants or anti-seizure medications. Opioid pain medications aren't typically prescribed for chronic pain because of the potential long-term consequences of using these medications, although in some situations they may be helpful. These medications don't do anything to help with the cause of the pain, so they're often used in combination with other types of treatments.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can help develop an exercise plan that will help to improve your tolerance for certain types of movements and decrease overall pain levels. This type of therapy may include other pain treatments as well, such as massage, ultrasound, hot and cold therapy or even whirlpool therapy.
Psychological Therapy
Sometimes counseling can help people better deal with emotional issues brought on by the constant pain they are under. Mental health professionals may also perform cognitive behavioral therapy to help people better deal with their pain or teach people biofeedback, meditation, visual imagery and relaxation techniques. These techniques can help to reduce both pain and stress levels.
Injections
Some people may need injections to help block pain and limit swelling and irritation that may be contributing to pain. In some cases, injections called nerve blocks are used to block off the pain in a certain area of the body. Injections only provide temporary relief, usually lasting between 4 weeks and 1 year, depending on the exact nature of the problem and the type of injection.
Radiofrequency Ablation
This treatment involves using a needle to zap a nerve so it stops sending pain signals. The results typically last somewhere between 8 months and 1 year.
TENS
This is a kind of electrical stimulation that can sometimes help with pain management. The mild electrical current can cause a tickling sensation and mild muscle contractions, and this may help to minimize pain at least for a short time.
Surgery
Surgery is usually considered only if other pain management techniques don't work and if there is a clear problem that is causing the pain that may be correctable through surgery.
Contact a company like Regional Pain Care to learn more.
Share27 January 2017
Seniors are like any other specialized group of people. They need services specific to their needs. Everything from nutrition to housekeeping to travel is different for seniors, and the services they receive should reflect that. I am a mental health care provider, and I work exclusively with people over the age of 65. My goal is to help educate the general population about the special needs of seniors and to inspire people to make their homes, businesses and lives more acceptable to the older generations. Seniors deserve our care and attention, and I hope that I can show others how to provide it.