by Living with chronic pain may be unavoidable after an injury or accident, but that doesn’t mean we have to suffer the remainder of our lives with the same level of pain we currently experience. Through the use of innovative care options and new technologies, comprehensive pain management can give people access to a more comfortable and even more mobile lifestyle.
Dr. Brandon Claflin states that people living with long-term pain shouldn’t feel as though there is no hope for a less painful future. Instead, they should try actively pursuing treatment with a qualified pain management specialist until they find a treatment option that works for them.
Below is an outline of some of the benefits of comprehensive pain management care for people living with long-term pain.
What is Comprehensive Pain Management?
Comprehensive pain management is a method of mitigating the symptoms and treating the causes of pain in a patient-centered way. Comprehensive pain management offers lifestyle alternatives that help a person live more comfortably by working with the patient’s body (physiology) and mind (psychology).
Physiology
The physical aspect of comprehensive pain management involves a multifaceted approach to targeting the source of a person’s pain, providing therapy for it, and potentially a resolution. Methods may include physical therapy, massage, targeted exercises, and the application of ice and heat as needed.
Psychology
The psychological aspect of comprehensive pain management is important. People who suffer from chronic pain are more likely to deal with depression and anxiety. They may find it hard to focus on anything other than their pain. Treatment methods may include group therapy, counseling, and the intentional use of self-care exercises.
Comprehensive pain management is usually offered to people with long-term pain or pain that lasts more than two weeks. The benefits of choosing pain management support a person’s overall well-being and recovery.
Benefits of Comprehensive Pain Management Care
Seeking care for pain management from a person’s general practitioner usually only helps for acute pain or pain that goes away on its own or with treatment in a few weeks. For pain that is persistent, a more targeted approach is necessary and much more beneficial.
1. Pain Management Helps With Medication Management
While acute pain may benefit from the use of opioid medications, there is little evidence to show that it helps mitigate or benefit long-term pain. It usually has the opposite effect and creates more problems for the person suffering. It may be harder for the person to stop taking the medications, and the person may experience personality changes and emotional distress related to taking the medication.
2. Pain Management Can Help Locate the Exact Source of the Pain
New and existing technologies can help a pain management specialist locate the precise nerve or bundle of nerves that are communicating pain signals to the brain. This can be beneficial for the use of therapies like nerve blocks, which can provide much longer-term relief than medications.
3. Pain Management Helps Keep You Active
A key element of pain management is staying active. Most pain management doctors want a person who is able and healthy enough for movement to remain moving. They may recommend certain safe sports or activities that can help keep your body and muscles limber and support blood flow to areas of your body where you experience pain.
4. Pain Management Helps With Mental Health
Debilitating pain can dominate your thoughts, and if you have not experienced benefits with other treatments, you may begin to experience feelings of hopelessness. Pain management offers new hope through the availability of various treatment options.
The psychological aspect of pain management offers a person a safe place to process their feelings and work on adapting to their current lifestyle. The emotional effects of pain make physical suffering feel even worse; prioritizing mental health at this time can be essential.
5. Pain Management is Personalized
The pain management plan your physician assigns you is personal and customized. Pain management plans are also fluid, meaning that they can be adapted as you experience less pain or if you find that a particular treatment no longer works. This differs from protocol-styled options you may have found with orthopedic specialists or general practitioners.
New Care Options Means New Freedom
If you live with chronic pain and haven’t visited a pain management specialist, today is a great day to make that call. Seeking the care of a pain management specialist can give you new freedom and fresh hope for your future and help you regain your life.
Sources:
The Best Exercises to Prevent Lower Back Pain | The New York Times
Opioid Treatments for Chronic Pain | NCBI Bookshelf
Nerve Block: What It Is, Procedure, Side Effects & Types | Cleveland Clinic
