In a recent study, it was discovered that between 11% and 40% of adults in the U.S. are living with some form of chronic pain. The discomfort of chronic pain can make it incredibly difficult to go about day-to-day life. Fortunately, there are many treatments that can help you manage your condition.
Chronic pain can be the result of a vast number of illnesses or injuries, but you can find the right course of treatment for pain management St Augustine FL. Some of the treatments listed below can be effective when used alone. However, depending on the level of pain you are experiencing, many of these treatments can be combined to help relieve more severe discomfort.
1. Take Pain Medication
Medicines like ibuprofen and acetaminophen don’t require a prescription and can help manage milder pain symptoms when taken correctly. For moderate-to-severe pain symptoms, a doctor might prescribe an opioid pain reliever, such as morphine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone. There is often a reluctance to take stronger pain medications for fear of becoming addicted. However, your doctor will work with you to determine your correct dosing as well as the length of time you should take it.
Another promising treatment for chronic pain is anti-seizure medications. These medications have been found to have a significant nerve-calming effect. Anticonvulsants such as gabapentin and carbamazepine are medications that treat seizures by interfering with the brain signals sent by overly sensitive nerves. These medications help manage chronic pain by blocking tingling, burning, and pain associated with nerve damage.
2. Receive Spine Treatments for Back Pain
Back pain is a common type of chronic pain that often stems from spinal cord or vertebrae injuries. Nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, and facet injections are just a few of the non-invasive procedures you can receive to reduce joint inflammation and calm nerve pain in the spine. After a severe injury or failed back surgery, kyphoplasty or spinal cord stimulation may be the solution. While implantation may be more invasive, this procedure is designed to be a long-term chronic pain solution.
3. Try Alternative Therapies
Some studies have shown promising evidence for non-medical therapies used to manage chronic pain. In particular, acupuncture, massage therapy, and hypnosis are complementary practices used to approach pain management more holistically. These gentle practices could be beneficial in coping with pain, especially in combination with traditional pain management therapies.
Talk with your doctor about setting a pain management goal. Be honest with them about the pain you are experiencing. Be sure to ask questions about any medications you are taking to manage your pain. You can work together to devise a health care plan that directly addresses your chronic pain concerns so you can finally begin to experience relief.
