How Pain Management and Care Helps Pain Patients

Living with pain is a condition that a lot of people dread. Unfortunately, due to various circumstances, you may find yourself with it. Regardless of the type of pain you experience, acute or chronic, you may require the help of a pain management specialist. Read on to find out more.

What is Pain Management?

Pain management is a method of relieving pain suffering and improving the quality of life of pain patients. While you may not be able to completely stop your pain, pain management can allow you to function and live through the occasional flares by relieving them.

Causes of Pain

Before you find a method to relieve your pain, you need to know what is causing it. If you only experience acute pain, it may be due to an injury or surgery aftermath. Although you will experience this kind of pain suddenly, it usually ends after some time.

However, it can either be mild (usually just a dull ache) or extreme (a sharp, searing stab-like pain), which is why you need to seek help immediately. But what happens if the pain persists even after endless treatment methods?

If you find it hard to relieve that pain (even if it is just a headache or a dull ache from an injury), you may be experiencing chronic pain. In most cases, certain medical conditions like arthritis and cancer can cause chronic pain. Also, back, head and neck aches are common causes of chronic pain.

What Pain Management Treatments Can You Try?

There are numerous strategies that you can turn to for relief. Whether you prefer medical treatments or non-medical ones, you can always get help. However, instead of limiting yourself to one type of treatment (say medical treatments alone), you can try your hand in both types. That way, you can be sure of a quicker relief.

Some of the more common treatments include:

Pain-relieving medication

In this case, your doctor can prescribe some medication you can take to relieve the pain. It ranges from the most potent painkillers to mild forms of the same, depending on your pain intensity.

Community support groups

It’s always good to know you are not alone and others support you. Plus, a recent study shows that you may experience more significant pain due to an inability to express, process your emotional awareness, or are emotionally stressed. Support groups can help you with that. Plus, you can also deal with the adverse psychological effects of pain.

Occupational therapy

Chronic pain can make you less capable of performing your day-to-day activities. However, occupational therapy can help you retain control of your life through its self-management approach. That way, you can address your goals.

Physical therapy

It is an effective treatment method, more so if your cause of pain is from medical conditions like arthritis or a fatal injury like a spinal injury. It includes,

• Exercise
• Hydrotherapy
• Massage
• Heat or cold packs

Mind and body techniques  

Pain is not just physical but mental as well. Mind and body therapies can help you deal with pain by changing your perception. These include age-old techniques but ones you can trust for relief without the adverse effects of medications or their unpleasantness. It includes techniques like,

• Acupuncture
• Yoga
• Tai chi
• Positive thinking
• mindfulness

Psychological therapies

As mentioned before, the pain goes beyond just the physical. Your mind, emotions, and perceptions can influence it as well (going as far as increasing or reducing its intensity). With these therapies, you can be able to relieve your pain and lead a more productive life. They include,

• Meditation
• Relaxation techniques
• Cognitive-behavioral therapies

Pain Management at North Lakes Pain

Pain should not be why you cannot enjoy the activities you once did or lead a productive life. With adequate pain management and care techniques, you can address your goals and relieve the pain. Feel free to contact North Lakes Pain to request an appointment or more information for pain management treatments.