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Chronic pain distresses a projected 86
million American adults to a certain extent.
What is pain?
Pain is an unpleasant feeling that lets
you know that something may be wrong. It is one of the
body's warning signals that indicate a crisis that needs
attention. Pain begins in receptor nerve cells situated
beneath the skin and in organs throughout the body. Once
there is an illness, injury, or other type of problem, these
receptor cells send messages along nerve pathways to the
spinal cord, which then relays the message to the brain.
Pain can be anything from a minor
irritation, such as a weak headache, to something agonizing
and emergent, such as the chest pain that accompanies a
heart attack.
What are the different types of
pain?
Two types of pain include the following:
- Acute pain - may occur from inflammation, tissue
damage, injury, illness, or a recent surgical
procedure and is of short duration, typically
lasting less than a week or two. It generally ends
after the underlying source is treated or has been
determined.
- Chronic pain is pain that continues for weeks,
months, or even years.
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain is a persistent pain that
continues beyond the typical recovery period or occurs along
with a chronic health condition, such as arthritis. Chronic
pain may be sporadic or nonstop. It may affect individuals
to the point that they cannot work, eat properly, partake in
physical activity, or enjoy life.
Chronic pain is deemed a major medical
condition that can and should be treated.
What causes chronic pain?
There are many reasons for chronic pain.
It may have progressed from an illness or accident, from
which an individual has long since improved. Or perhaps
there is an continuing cause of pain, such as arthritis or
cancer. Many individuals suffer chronic pain in the absence
of any past injury or indication of illness.
Treatment for chronic pain:
Chronic pain entails all facets of an
individual's life; thus, the most successful treatment
includes not only relief of symptoms, but also other forms
of support. A multidisciplinary approach to pain management
can often provide the needed interventions to help manage
the pain. Pain management programs are typically performed
on an outpatient basis. Numerous skilled experts are
involved in the pain management rehabilitation team,
including any/all of the following:
- Neurologists/neurosurgeons
- Orthopaedists/orthopaedic surgeons
- Anesthesiologists
- Oncologists
- Physiatrists
- Nurses
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Psychologists/psychiatrists
- Social workers
- Case managers
- Vocational counselors
- Pharmacists
The pain management rehabilitation
programs are intended to meet the needs of the patient,
depending upon the precise form of pain, disease, or
condition. Committed involvement of the individual and
family is fundamental to the success of the program.
The objective of pain management programs
is to assist the individual in returning to the maximum
level of function and independence achievable, while
improving the overall quality of life - physically,
emotionally and socially. Pain management procedures assist
in reducing the suffering experienced by an individual with
chronic pain.
In order to help reach these goals, pain
management programs may include the following:
- Medical management of chronic pain,
including medication management:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may
include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs), aspirin, and/or acetaminophen.
- Prescription pain medications such as
narcotics may be needed to provide stronger pain
relief. However, these drugs are reserved for
more severe types of pain, as they have some
potential for abuse and may have unpleasant side
effects.
- Prescription antidepressants can benefit
some patients because these medications can
increase the supply of a naturally produced
neurotransmitter, serotonin. Serotonin has been
found to be an important part of a
pain-controlling pathway in the brain.
- Heat and cold treatments to reduce the
stiffness and pain, especially with joint
disorders such as arthritis
- Physical and occupational therapy
interventions such as massage and whirlpool
treatments
- Exercise to reduce spasticity, joint
contractures, joint inflammations, spinal
alignment problems, or muscle atrophy (weakening
and shrinking) to prevent further problems
- Local electrical stimulation involving
application(s) of brief pulses of electricity to
nerve endings under the skin to provide pain
relief in some chronic pain patients
- Nerve blocks and regional anesthesia
- Emotional and psychological support for
pain, which may include the following:
- Psychotherapy and group therapy
- Stress management
- Relaxation training
- Meditation
- Hypnosis
- Biofeedback
- Behavior modification
- Assertiveness training
The philosophy common to all of these
varied psychological approaches is the belief that patients
can do something on their own to control their pain,
including changing attitudes, feelings, or behaviors
associated with pain, or understanding how unconscious
forces and past events have contributed to pain.
- Patient and family education and counseling
- Alternative medicine and therapy treatments, as
appropriate
Additionally, treatment may
include:
- Surgery
- Surgery may be contemplated for chronic
pain. Surgery can bring relief from pain, but
may also overcome other sensations as well, or
become the source of new pain. Relief is not
essentially permanent, and pain may come back.
There is a range of surgical procedures to ease
pain.
- Acupuncture
- Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice
of placing fine needles under the skin at
selected points in the body, and has shown some
assurance in the treatment of chronic pain. The
practitioner to produce pain relief manipulates
needles.
Pain Management Treatment
If you or someone you know would like to
talk with one of our trained staff to discuss treatment
options for Pain Management treatment please contact us 24
hours a day, 7 days a week at our t oll free number:
1-866-874-9774. You will receive a free consultation. |
