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Five Chronic Pain Treatment Options

When it comes to deciding a treatment for pain relief, doctors often consider a lot of things including the specific type of pain, its severity and how well other therapies can work with it. People undergoing some chronic pain conditions, are often recommended  different treatments such as medication, surgery, physiotherapy, electrical stimulation, psychological support or other complementary therapies.

Have a look at some common treatments often followed by pain management doctors for chronic pain conditions:

1.      Medication

Medication is the first step through which doctors try to manage chronic pain. Since different patients respond differently to medicines, pain medicine physicians need to try different types of drugs and dosages on patients so that they can understand the most effective combination. Now, pain medicine physicians often consider the nature and severity of pain to suggest a treatment. Here, they also need to find how well the patient responds to the treatment.

When it comes to prescribing medicines, physicians also need to decide whether drugs will be delivered orally, transdermally, rectally or injected.

2.      Electrical stimulation

Electrical stimulation is also known as neurostimulation, which helps reduce the pain in specific areas of the body. Electrical stimulation is often applied to some devices. For example, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a stimulation device that works best if applied to the skin. Nowadays, chronic pain doctors surgically implant different sophisticated neurostimulation devices so that they can work more effectively on the nervous system.

3.      Surgery

Sometimes, chronic pain conditions due to a bulging disk or structural back problem are also treated by conducting surgery. Doctors often consider different issues such as the patient’s physical condition and the original cause of pain. Then they conduct various diagnostic tests to determine if any structural problems cause the pain.

4.      Psychological support

People severely affected by pain often go through profound social and psychological impacts. In such situations, they need support as a supplement to other medical treatment. A professional counsellor or psychologist treats these adverse effects caused due to pain. He or she also helps patients to improve their mobility, relationships and social interactions.

5.      Complementary therapies

Along with the above-mentioned medical treatments, several other treatments also help people to get rid of chronic pain. Some of these therapies include chiropractors, osteopaths and acupuncture.

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Understand the Type of Pain Before Opting For Therapy

Pain can occur due to various reasons and physical ailments and come from any part of your body. However, it is important to separate one from the other with the help of a professional pain specialist. You should know what type of pain you are suffering from before considering pain treatment in Victoria for your ailing health. Here are few of the reasons why you might get pain in different parts of your body:

Nerve/Neuropathic Pain:

Nerve or neuropathic pain has a distinct character and is often caused by nerve injury. The symptoms of nerve pain may include tingling numbness or shooting pains. When the sensory system is affected by injury or physical ailment, the nerves within the system often fail to transmit sensation to the brain. This absence of responsiveness leads to numbness and lack of sensation. However, when the system is injured, the person experiences pain in the impacted region of the sensory system. As it is stated, neuropathic pain does not start abruptly; rather it is a chronic condition which results in persistent pain and other neurological disorder. These painful conditions often take lengthy therapies to subside. Nerve pain can also be caused due to diabetes or spinal stenosis. Injuries to the brain and spinal cord can also lead to severe neuropathic pain.

Musculoskeletal pain:

Musculoskeletal pain, also known as somatic pain is usually caused due to problems/injury in the joints, muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments or nerves. It may reduce a person’s ability to perform daily activities. Numerous events like sudden jerking movements, car accidents, fractures, sprains, dislocations and a strong blow to muscles can cause musculoskeletal pain. The pain can be acute with rapid onset and severe physical symptoms. The acuteness of the pain can be long-lasting depending on the intensity of the injury. Pain management near me can help me get appropriate pain treatment for my condition.

Visceral/Organ Pain:

Visceral or organ or nociceptive pain originates from the internal organs and thus has distinct characteristics and symptoms. Pelvic or abdominal pain can be caused due to bladder disorders or irritable bowel syndrome. You should no confuse this with neuropathic or musculoskeletal pain.