Pain can either be chronic or acute. Acute pain lasts for a maximum of six months resulting from sudden events like infections, cuts, or burns, while chronic pain lasts over a long period and results from diseases or conditions. Pain management is a method used to control or reduce chronic pain. Some conditions that may require Expert Pain management are arthritis, bursitis, osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, or neuropathy. Managing symptoms of these conditions can help you have an entire life. Various treatments and techniques can help manage pain, and here are some.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Heat therapy helps to relax muscles and stretch blood vessels. It promotes the healing process after an injury. You can use a warm wet towel over the painful area. Cold therapy lowers blood flow and reduces inflammation causing your pain. You can apply cold by using an ice pack wrapped in a piece of cloth over your skin.
Massage
Massage involves the manipulation of soft tissue. It works best when combined with physical therapies and pain medication. Massage will help reduce chronic pain by relation, reducing swelling, improving flexibility, circulation improvement, and reducing stiffness. It benefits other types of pain.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a method where a specialist applies thin needles to specific body parts. This technique relieves the pain in the lower back, neck, and knee for a short time. The benefits of acupuncture include reducing inflammation, relieving pain, boosting relaxation, and reducing muscle spasms. The process is safe and effective when used by specialists using sterile needles.
Relation Techniques
Pain causes discomfort. Relaxation reduces your muscle tension, muscle spasms, and pain. It also promotes the release of endorphins which act as your body’s natural painkillers. Relaxation methods used include deep breathing, thinking calmly, and calming activities like taking a warm bath or reading a book. You can reduce stress through relaxation promoting better sleep.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs are medications that reduce swelling and pain. They come in various forms like tablets, skin creams, or gels. Some people react to these drugs, so you should talk to your doctor before taking them.
Opioids
Opioids may be used to treat moderate to severe pain. You can only use them for short periods because they can be addictive. You should only use opioids if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants help relieve pain, such as amitriptyline. People with diabetes and fibromyalgia use amitriptyline at lower doses to reduce pain. You can take two to four weeks to feel the effects of this drug. Dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, and headaches are some of the side effects of amitriptyline. It would help if you talked to your specialist about the side effects to help you manage them.
Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers are used to stop hormones like adrenaline from working and reduce the heart rate. You may use them to treat migraines. Low doses of beta-blockers can impermanently reduce chronic pain in women with fibromyalgia. Always consult your doctor before using them as they are unsuitable for everyone.
Pain management reduces the effects of disease symptoms helping you have a whole life in a condition. Call Expert Pain to schedule an appointment to learn more about pain management.
