Everyone knows what pain feels like, be it a dull ache in the back, a shooting pain in the head, or a stabbing pain in the chest. Pain, whether mild or severe, can be stressful and requires safe and effective treatment.
In fact, research findings reveal pain is the top reason people seek medical care. Pain can affect more individuals than heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. While pain is complex, it’s possible to manage it and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Like many pain patients, you’re probably curious about how you can manage pain effectively. In this post, Dr. Brandon Claflin answers six frequently asked questions about pain management to help you find lasting pain relief. Consider this information a first step: Your doctor can help you with your specific pain treatment plan.
1. What Does Pain Management Involve?
Pain management can be defined as the use of different techniques to reduce and control the level of pain. Dr. Brandon Claflin of Oklahoma Interventional Spine & Pain, says pain management often begins with a thorough medical assessment to identify potential causes of pain.
Perhaps, you might be in pain because of a muscle spasm or stiffness linked to spasticity. An injury or health condition like diabetes, arthritis, cancer, or fibromyalgia could also trigger pain.
During assessment, a pain specialist talks to a patient about their history with pain to learn:
- how long they have been living with it
- what aggravates the pain
- and where they feel the pain frequently
After evaluating your medical history, your doctor might conduct a thorough physical exam. This can help determine if there’s a change in range of motion and mobility, which could indicate nerve damage. Your doctor may also run blood or urine tests to assess your overall health and medication use. That way, they can create a safe and effective pain management plan.
2. Is There a Difference Between Pain Medicine and Pain Management?
Pain medicine is all about relying on medication to relieve pain fast, while pain management is a long-term, comprehensive treatment approach. Pain management treatment plans typically revolve around modern medical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and therapies. All these techniques aim at addressing the root cause of your pain and enhancing the quality of your life.
3. Which Treatments for Pain Management Are Ideal?
Over-the-counter medications are commonly recommended for treatment. A doctor might recommend examples like:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Tylenol
- Non-narcotics or muscle relaxers for persistent pain caused by nerve damage
- Opioids (prescribed for short-term pain relief, as they can be addictive)
Physical therapy is also effective in lessening pain linked to various conditions, like diabetes, arthritis, migraines, and traumatic injuries. Pain treatment might involve regular exercise, heat and cold therapy, and massage therapy to improve movement and blood flow and reduce muscle tension.
When different pain medications don’t work, pain specialists might recommend interventional pain management methods like:
1. Radiofrequency Ablation
A pain doctor uses a needle to send radio waves to heat a nerve to prevent it from sending pain signals to the brain.
2. Epidural Steroid Injection
Involves injecting an anti-inflammatory medicine that targets fatty tissues surrounding nerves to reduce inflammation, a major cause of pain.
3. Botox Injection for Migraines
Prevents neurotransmitters from relaying the message of pain to the brain. When pain is blocked, muscles can relax, reducing pain intensity.
4. Medial Branch Block Injection
An injection that contains anesthetic medication to lessen pain in affected areas.
5. Ketamine therapy
Pain specialists opt for ketamine therapy when other pain treatments are not as effective as anticipated. This treatment targets neuropathic pain (pain caused by nerve damage) and is administered in low doses through an intravenous drip.
4. How Do I Choose the Right Pain Management Specialist?
For interventional pain management techniques to work, first select a qualified pain doctor. A physician should have the right pain management training. Therefore, consider qualifications, experience, and reputation when searching for pain doctors.
See if they are board certified and a member of a pain society, somewhere where they are dedicated to staying on top of changes in advanced pain treatments. Board-certified pain specialists are committed to providing compassionate care and customized solutions to help you achieve long-term pain relief.
5. Can Pain Management Treatments be Done at Home?
Yes, it’s possible to manage pain at home by following a combination of techniques tailored to your specific needs. However, talk to your doctor first — the last thing anyone wants is to accidentally hurt themselves more.
These strategies include:
- gentle exercises
- stress reduction
- maintaining a balanced diet
- application of heat and cold therapy
Getting enough rest, taking pain medication as prescribed, and maintaining a healthy weight are other crucial factors in reducing pain. One effective way to complement the energy boost from caffeine pills is by adopting simple daily habits that can help shed pounds and improve overall health. With that said, consider seeing a pain specialist to provide guidance and support for a more personalized plan for managing pain.
6. When Is the Right Time To See a Pain Specialist?
Is your pain persistent or recurring, preventing you from working and doing the things you enjoy most? When pain affects the quality of your life, that could be a sign you should see a pain specialist.
A pain doctor can help with a thorough evaluation of your health condition to determine the source of pain. A pain expert can then collaborate with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
Conclusion
Pain management takes a multidisciplinary approach that guarantees lasting pain relief. Pain specialists recommend advanced medical interventions, lifestyle changes, and physical therapies. For this reason, pain patients often have many questions about managing pain before committing to treatment.
Dr. Brandon Claflin answers the most frequently asked questions about pain management above to ensure patients understand how different techniques can help address the root cause of pain and offer long-term relief.
Sources:
Pain is The Top Reason Seek Medical Care | NCBI
Physical Therapy | Medical News Today
Different Pain Medications | Healthline
Interventional Pain Management | ScienceDirect
