Join Now | Sign in

Pain Health Article

Media Gallery

Videos (2)

	Pain Medications and the Risk of GI Complications play video read transcript
	The Impact of Pain on Sleep play video read transcript

Marketplace

Licensed from

Page: < Back 1 2 3 4 Next >

Homeopathy

Depending on a patient's specific condition, a homeopathic physician may prescribe one of the following medications for pain management:

Arnica: for treatment of acute pain after an injury.
Hypericum: for treatment of pain in nerves, fingers or toes after injury or surgery.
Ledum: for treatment of pain associated with black- and-blue bruises and puncture wounds.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves inserting needles at various points on the skin of the body. These needles direct chi (life force) to organs or functions of the body. This therapy possibly works by triggering the release of endorphins, therefore dulling the perception of pain. Acupuncture can effectively reduce most chronic pain. However, it may require up to 10 sessions before results are noticeable. A 2002 study showed that acupuncture worked well for chronic neck pain and range of motion, but that its long-term effects were limited. It is important that patients request disposable needles to prevent transmission of AIDS, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases.

Acupressure

There are some acupressure techniques that patients can train themselves to do to help relieve pain. Using thumbs or fingers to apply pressure at appropriate acupressure points in the body, a person can release muscular tension in the head, neck or shoulder; calm the nervous system and relieve painful symptoms. Like acupuncture, acupressure probably works by releasing endorphins.

Massage

Massage involves using physical manipulation techniques to make various parts of the body, such as muscles, connective tissues, and vertebrae, work together and function properly. This form of therapy may effectively reduce stress and physical pain.

Chiropractic

Chiropractors treat patients by manipulating joints and the spine. It is believed that pain, especially back pain, is caused by misalignment of the spine. This form of treatment is most effective in patients with persistent back pain and neck problems. It is also effective in patients with acute, uncomplicated low back pain.

Relaxation therapy

Relaxation techniques include meditation, yoga, guided imagery, biofeedback, and hypnotherapy. When practiced regularly, these techniques have been shown to relax muscles and reduce tension and stress-related pain.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyles can be changed to include a healthier diet and regular exercise. Regular exercise, aside from relieving stress, has been shown to increase endorphins.

Hydrotherapy

This form of therapy uses hot and cold compresses, whirlpools, saunas, and alternating cold/warm showers or body wraps to reduce the soreness of aching joints, inflamed muscles, chronic muscle strains, and backache. Some of these treatments can be done at home.

Allopathic treatment

There are many drugs aimed at preventing or treating pain. Nonopioid analgesics, narcotic analgesics, corticosteroids, anticonvulsant drugs, and tricyclic antidepressants work by blocking the production, release, or uptake of neurotransmitters. Nonopioid analgesics are used for treatment of minor pain. They include common over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofen (Advil). Narcotic analgesics such as codeine, morphine, and methadone are used for more severe pain, such as cancer pain. These medications are available with a doctor's prescription. Initially developed to treat seizures and depression, some anticonvulsants and antidepressants now also have pain-killing applications. Finally, corticosteroid injections directly into or near the nerve that is transmitting the pain signal are reserved for intractable (unrelenting) pain that is not treatable by other medications.

Drugs are not always effective in controlling pain. Surgical methods are used as a last resort if drugs and local anesthetics fail. Electrode implants are the least destructive surgical procedure. However, this method may not completely control pain and is not used frequently. Other surgical techniques involve destroying or severing the nerve, but the use of this technique is limited by side effects, including unpleasant numbness.

Expected results

Successful pain treatment is highly dependent on successful resolution of the pain's cause. Acute pain will stop when an injury heals or when an underlying problem is treated successfully. Chronic pain and abnormal pain are more difficult to treat, and it may take longer to find a successful resolution. Some pain is intractable and will require extreme measures for relief. In 2002, several health care organizations got together to form a panel charged with working on standards for evaluating effectiveness of pain management for patients who suffer from cancer, arthritis, and back pain. The standards will help physicians and others better measure patients' pain and effectiveness of pain management drugs and techniques.

Prevention

Pain is generally preventable only to the degree that the cause of the pain is preventable; diseases and injuries are often unavoidable. However, increased pain, pain from surgery and other medical procedures, and continuing pain are preventable through drug treatments and alternative therapies.

For many years, experts thought that arthritis patients should not exercise because it would damage their joints. However, a 2002 report said that regular low-impact exercise such as water aerobics or riding a stationary bicycle can actually help arthritic patients prevent pain.

Page: < Back 1 2 3 4 Next >