How to Ease Pain Associated with Chronic Medical Conditions

Pain is Common

There are millions of people who suffer with chronic, sometimes debilitating, pain on a daily basis. It can be due to conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines, complex regional pain or failed back surgery syndromes. Pain from traumatic injury can leave people in pain despite medical intervention.

Medications for Inflammation

There are many ways to manage pain. Medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs can be helpful. As the name implies, they help in reducing inflammation from injuries and arthritic conditions that are characterized by pain and swelling in the joints. Chiropractic electrical stimulation is another way to manage inflammation. Ibuprofen and naproxen are over-the-counter, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications that can be effective in reducing pain from arthritic conditions. Prescription medications that reduce swelling are available in higher strengths or with steroidal compounds that more quickly reduce swelling. Some of these medications can cause irritation of the stomach lining and care has to be taken to reduce the risk such taking them with food.

Other Medications

Some chronic pain conditions such as chronic back pain can be helped with the use of antidepressants. They increase the release of endorphins, hormones that help relieve pain. In some cases, opioid medications can be prescribed to manage pain. These medications include oxycodone, hydrocodone and codeine. When taken as prescribed, they can be effective, but run the risk of dependence and addiction.

Pain Management

Pain management physicians and physical therapists specialize in treating patients with chronic pain of all types. Pain management or anesthesiologists prescribe medication and can offer help in the form of injections to the painful area. Pain medication, usually a steroid compound is directly injected. This limits the medication to just the painful area and reduces systemic side effects that occur when taken orally. These doctors may refer patients to physical therapists who help by prescribing exercises, including lumbar decompression exercises, that reduce stress on painful body parts.

Doctor Visits

When patients are on any prescription medications, regular visits to their physicians are required to ensure safe use of the medications. Routine blood tests will help monitor liver and renal function.

Chiropractors

Chiropractors treat many types of pain including, but not limited to, back pain. Gently manipulation of the vertebrae can reduce pressure on nerves that are causing pain. Since all of the body's nerves originate at the spine, chiropractic is a successful way to treat pain in the arms and legs as well as the back. Pain can be managed successfully by a variety of modalities.