New Chronic Pain Management Solutions You Can Now Access

Pain is a big problem. More than 20 percent of American adults live with chronic pain. Seven percent say that their pain limits their work and social lives. 

Every person should know about pain management as it is possible to control severe pain through a number of regimens. 

What injections and medications can a person take? How can psychological therapy help with physical pain? What are non-traditional measures that chronic pain management doctors are looking into? 

With the answers to these questions, you can pursue new pain therapy today. Here is your quick guide. 

INJECTIONS

Injections are minimally invasive treatments. They provide medicines that can help soothe pain in a number of areas. Depending on the kind of pain you experience, you can receive several different types of injections. 

The epidural space is the space between two layers in the spinal cord. If one layer swells, a person can experience back and nerve pain. 

Epidural steroid injections deliver steroids into the epidural space. They can reduce inflammation and bring down swelling through time. 

Another solution may be Botox. Many people know about Botox for cosmetic purposes, but it can help with chronic pain relief as well.

Botox can block neurotransmitters, which carry pain signals into the brain. This prevents signals from reaching nerves in the head and neck, helping reduce migraines. 

Joints are where bones, muscles, and nerves meet. A lot of things can cause joint pain, including aging and medical conditions like multiple sclerosis. Joint injections can decrease inflammation and restore mobility while reducing pain. 

MEDICATIONS 

If you are afraid of needles, you can always take medications, pending allergies. Doctors are becoming more mindful of the addictive properties of pain relief pills so they are safer than ever.

Opioids are best for short-term pain and there are better options for chronic pain.

Ibuprofen is ideal for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. It is a non-steroid medication, blocking the body’s inflammatory response. 

Antidepressants are most commonly used for people who have depression. But it can help with chronic pain too. 

Some people with depression experience muscle pain or stiffness. They can take antidepressants for their emotional and physical symptoms.

People who don’t have depression can take pills for nerve damage and regional pain, namely in the face or pelvis. It takes some time to feel relief, so antidepressants are best for people who face long-term discomfort.

Anti-epileptic medications can also help. They are best for people who have nerve pain, including from diabetes and shingles. Talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of any medication you want to take. 

TALK THERAPY

The body and mind are closely connected. When the mind is focused on pain, it can make the pain feel worse. Chronic pain can cause anxiety, depression, and inability to pay attention. 

Talk therapy helps patients identify thoughts and feelings that are related to their physical pain. Patients track their thoughts through conversations, journaling, and other means.

Once they identify negative feelings that may trigger pain, they can embrace several solutions. The therapist can help them come up with chronic pain management strategies. These can be steps like taking a deep breath or stretching. 

If thoughts trigger physical pain, therapists can help their patients replace their ideas. When they feel a lack of confidence, they can focus on thoughts that build their self-esteem. 

Acceptance and commitment therapy helps patients focus on their personal values. They develop ways of carrying those values out.

If they believe in giving back to the community, they volunteer at soup kitchens and local libraries. By embracing positive actions, they make room for positive thoughts in their minds. 

Talk therapy can also include meditation, since looking inward or visualizing something in their mind’s eye can shift a person’s attention away from their pain. 

EXERCISE

Many people have heard of physical therapy, but few people know what it exactly is. Exercise therapy is a new and important regimen within physical therapy. It is a regimen of activities that improve mobility and reduce pain. 

The activities do not have to be labor-intensive. Walking helps the back, hips, and legs. It can strengthen the muscles and tendons, decreasing pain. 

You can use several tools to decrease discomfort while you are working out. Cold packs reduce blood flow to muscles and joints. This can reduce inflammation and swelling, allowing tendons to move. 

ACUPUNCTURE 

Acupuncture uses thin needles that therapists insert into the skin. It is a common treatment in traditional Chinese medicine, which leads some people to believe it is pseudoscientific.

But the National Institutes of Health asserts that “a number of studies suggest that acupuncture may help ease [chronic pain].” You can take acupuncture with other forms of therapy, including injections. 

Acupuncture works by stimulating nerves and connective tissue. The nerves detect the needles and send signals, so the brain delivers painkilling hormones. The hormones diminish the pain from the needles and any inflammation in the area. 

Acupuncture works best for osteoarthritis, knee pain, and headaches. It also may work for pain caused by cancer treatments.

FIND BOLD PAIN MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

You must know about pain management in order to deal with chronic discomfort.

• Injections can deliver steroids that reduce inflammation.
• Medications can soothe nerve signals and regional pain. Pills can include antidepressants, combating mental and physical pain all at once. 
• Talk therapy helps patients develop self-confidence. They can remove negative thoughts and replace them with positive habits. 
• Exercise therapy restores mobility and strengthens damaged areas, namely, muscles. 
• Acupuncture stimulates the body’s production of pain-reducing hormones. 

Find ambitious pain management doctors to deliver these new solutions. If you live in Arizona, contact Integrated Pain Consultants today so we can answer all your questions and discuss the best treatment plan for you.