Many ailments in your body are often accompanied by various aspects of pain depending on the area affected by the condition. However, some situations may be terminal, making the pain something you have to live with for the rest of your life. This pain needs to be managed to improve the quality of life while enabling you to perform your daily activities with minimal discomfort. Dr. Mahan Ostadian is a renowned pain management specialist with vast experience in dealing with chronic pain. More about what pain management involves is discussed further below.
What is Pain Management?
Chronic pain can be complicated, making it take time to identify the best techniques for pain relief depending on the issue. This pain can result from a medical problem or injury. It is classified as chronic if it goes on for more than three months or longer than the expected healing time for the injury or condition.
Chronic pain management is necessary as chronic pain can influence most areas of your life, including your social life, work, mental health, and sleep.
Pain management involves methods that decrease and control the level of pain you undergo over the long term. Several methods of pain management include:
Hot and Cold Therapy
This typically safe procedure alleviates pain as heat helps relax muscles and contract blood vessels. It can also encourage healing following an injury. On the other hand, cold therapy decreases blood flow and inflammation that causes pain. This involves applying an ice pack in a towel to your skin.
Acupuncture
This procedure involves inserting needles into your skin at specific points in your body. This can provide short-term pain relief to the neck, lower back, and knee. Its advantages include:
· Decreases inflammation
· Pain relief
· Decreased muscle spasms
· Relaxation
Physical Therapy
This includes physical methods done to stretch and strengthen joints and muscles. This relieves pain all over the body as unique techniques are used for individual body parts. These techniques offer long-term relief and may involve exercise plans, massage, and red light therapy.
Drug Therapy
This involves the use of various medications for pain relief. Each drug type works differently and is suitable for various problems or specific people. These include:
· Opioids are used to manage mild to severe pain and for a short time as they are habit-forming. They can only be used if the advantages outweigh the risks.
· Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to inhibit pain and swelling. They can, however, cause cardiovascular or stomach problems in certain people.
· Beta-blockers slow down your heart and inhibit hormones like adrenaline from functioning. They can manage migraines and decrease chronic pain in women with temporomandibular syndrome or fibromyalgia.
· Antidepressants assist in pain relief like amitriptyline used in low doses for diabetic neuropathy. Results typically appear between two and four weeks after medication.
Pain management methods do not aim to eliminate chronic pain but reduce it or improve how you cope with it. Your physician will advise you on the most suitable technique for you. For any questions about pain management, contact our website, or call our offices in Austin, TX.
