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It’s always useful to learn more effective practical pain management strategies. Read now.
Chronic pain is very complex and it can take a person years to find the pain relief methods that work for him/her. From hot/cold therapies to drug treatments to physical therapies and compounding, there are a variety of treatment options to try. Chronic pain can develop as a result of an injury or a medical condition. Chronic pain is defined as persistent pain that lasts more than three months.
Chronic pain can impact every area of your life whether it be social or mental. The article explores different options for pain management:
What is Pain Management?
Pain management refers to a variety of techniques to control and minimize pain that works well for different people. There are multiple ways to manage pain and not all of them involve taking medication.
Some of the most commonly used pain medications include:
Compounding Medications
Each patient is a unique individual and has unique medication needs. The location, intensity and duration of the pain varies from patient to patient. Most patients require multiple medications to manage pain which can be quite time-consuming and a huge hassle. Pharmaceutical compounding allows custom formulation that makes the entire treatment easier.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy is a safe and commonly used technique to minimize pain. Heat relaxes your muscles and dilates the blood vessels. Moreover, it also promotes healing post any kind of injury. On the other hand, cold therapy reduces blood flow and minimizes inflammation. It involves applying an ice pack to the skin. Cold therapy is most recommended to reduce pain post-surgery.
Massage
Think of massage as a manipulation of soft tissues. This technique isn’t as helpful on its own and is often combined with other treatment options. Individuals may benefit from the technique when it is used in combination with pain meds and physical therapy.
Benefits of massage include but are not limited to relaxation, improved flexibility, reduced inflammation, improved posture, better circulation, and minimized stiffness. Massages are most effective for treating lower back pain as compared to other types of pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy involves the use of physical techniques that strengthen and stretch your muscles and joints. When performed by a licensed physical therapist, it helps relieve pain throughout the body. Therapeutic exercises have long-term benefits for individuals dealing with chronic pain. Physical therapy typically involves a combination of massage, red light therapy, and exercise.
Acupuncture
There are multiple opinions about acupuncture. However, it can work wonders for some people while doing nothing for others. The procedure involves a practitioner applying thin needles to the precise points in your body. Acupuncture offers quick, short-term relief but doesn’t do much in the longer run. Pain relief, reduced inflammation, relaxation, and reduced muscle spasms are the top benefits of acupuncture.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Sometimes, the pain needs more than medicinal treatment. Psychological treatments for chronic pain include talking therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are sometimes essential to deal with the pain. CBT minimizes negative impacts on mental health caused by chronic pain. A study done in 2013 shows that CBT reduces pain immediately post a physical treatment when compared with using no strategies. However, there are no studies that show CBT can reduce pain on a long-term base and improve the overall quality of life.
Relaxation Techniques
Dealing with chronic pain can be very stressful. It makes a person feel out of control of their own body. Relaxation techniques can help patients with aches, muscles spasms, and muscle tension. Moreover, these techniques release endorphins that act as a natural pain killer for the body. Relaxation techniques also promote better sleep which helps with healing and pain management.
Deep breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, calm thinking techniques, and relaxing activities are some of the top techniques used for pain management.
Drug Therapy
Multiple medications are used to relieve pain. Each class works differently. Some pain killers might be more suitable for an individual than others.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also called NSAIDs are a group of medications that are designed to minimize inflammation and pain. They come in the form of different capsules, tablets, creams, and gels. One problem with NSAIDs is that these drugs can create problems with the stomach and cardiovascular system.
Opioids are designed to treat moderate-to-severe pain and are recommended to be used for shorter periods only. The reason is that they can get quite addictive. As per the guidelines of the CDC, opioids should only be used when the benefits outweigh the risks. They do work really well for people struggling with chronic pain.
Antidepressants
Certain antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, work wonders for pain relief. Amitriptyline is an antidepressant that helps manage pain at lower doses. It can work really well for people dealing with diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia. It can take 2–4 weeks for a person to feel the effects of the medication. Side effects of amitriptyline can include dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, and headaches.
Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers are meant to slow down the heart and stop hormones. They are typically used to treat migraines. Beta blockers when used in small doses improve chronic pain in females struggling with fibromyalgia and temporomandibular syndrome. It is important to always consult with your doctor prior to using Beta-Blocker or any kind of medication.
Practical Pain Management Conclusion
Chronic pain is one of the most stressful experiences of human life. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to manage it. Some of them are more effective than others. Oftentimes, a combination of multiple techniques is used to bring about the desired results.
It is important to always visit a healthcare professional prior to committing to any kind of pain management medications and techniques. We hope you found this article helpful! If you have any more questions, feel free to let us know in the comments section below.