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| Modern medicine is rapidly advancing. There are many
types of treatments available. Pain differs from person to person, so
a treatment plan will be designed by your pain management specialist
that is appropriate for your individuals needs. Treatment can include
a single approach or a combination of medications, therapies and/or
procedures.
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PHARMACOLOGICAL MEDICATIONS:
Narcotics - Narcotics can be used to treat acute pain
or cancer pain but are prescribed on a more
limited
basis
for chronic pain. Narcotic
can be addicting, so your physician will be very careful about
prescribing them. However, according to
research,
when
taken
properly,
many
chronic
pain
patients
do
not
become
addicted.
When you are taking narcotics, it is important
to remember that there is a difference between psychological addiction
and physical dependence. Using narcotics can be dangerous and may not
help your particular type of pain.
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Anti-Inflammatory
Medications - Aspirin-like drugs
reduce swelling, irritation and relieve pain.
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Anti-Depressant Medications
- Originally used to treat depression, however studies now show these
medications can alleviate pain in certain situations. They may also
have added benefit of helping patients sleep.
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Anti -Seizure Medications
- May help relieve certain types of pain by reducing abnormal
electrical discharges in damaged nerves.
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Other Medications
- Other types of medicine may be prescribed that are more specific to
other types of pain.
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DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC NERVE BLOCKS:
Diagnostic nerve blocks are done as a means
of determining more precisely the cause of certain types of pain, they
may also be therapeutic (help relieve pain) in certain situations.
Therapeutic nerve blocks are done in an effort to relieve certain
types of pain and may be done in a series, two or more over a period
of days or weeks.
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SPINAL
ENDOSCOPY:
Spinal Endoscopy is a minimally
invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat the causes of chronic
low back pain and radiculopathy. Using an instrument called a flexible
fiberoptic epiduroscope and steerable guiding
catheter, the physician
is able to visually inspect anatomical structures, tissue and nerves
inside the epidural space.
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Spinal Endoscopy is not for everyone and not everyone
can benefit from the procedure. Your physician can determine your
eligibility after performing a through History and Physical
Examination. You are probably a candidate for spinal endoscopy if your
back pain radiates to the legs (called Radiculopathy) and you have
failed other less invasive or conservative therapies or surgery. You
are less likely to be a candidate if you have other serious diseases
or psychiatric/psychological disorders.
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OTHER
PROCEDURES:
- Implantation
of
device
for
intratheal
or
epidural
drug
infusion,
subcutaneous
reservoir
- Spinal
neurostimulators
pulse
generator
- Spinal
neurostimulator
electrodes
- Radiofrequency
Nerve
Lesioning
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PHYSICAL
AND
OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY:
Therapeutic
exercise,
whirlpool,
ultrasound,
moist heat and
massage are
some of the
types of
treatment that
will be
suggested.
Therapeutic
activities and
patient
education are
also of
benefit.
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PSYCHOLOGICAL
SUPPORT:
There can be
psychological
effects from
chronic pain.
It can produce
feelings of
anger,
sadness,
hopelessness
and despair.
It can alter
your
personality,
disrupt sleep
and interfere
with work and
personal
relationships. |
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~markgra/
http://www.overcomingpain.com |
RELAXATION/MEDITATION:
There are
numerous forms
of relaxation
therapy that
are helpful to
patients.
Relaxation
training and
stress
management,
biofeedback
and meditation
can all be
beneficial.
http://www.houseofmeditation.com/
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We
believe that a
time set aside
each day to
close your
eyes, take
some deep
breathes,
listen to some
relaxing music
and think only
pleasant
thoughts, with
the idea of
you
controlling
the pain
rather than
the pain
taking control
of you.
Perhaps 15
minutes twice
a day. |
WHAT
YOU CAN DO TO
HELP YOURSELF:
Diet
- Many people
suffering from
chronic pain
are
overweight.
Being
excessively
overweight can
be very
damaging to
muscles,
tendons, and
joints, not to
mention the
increased
stress on the
cardio-respiratory
system and the
general body
physiology. We
believe weight
loss is
something
overweight
people can and
must do to
help relieve
their pain. |
Exercise
- Exercise
increase the
tone of
muscles, helps
to relieve
spasms and
increases
oxygenation of
muscle tissue.
Exercise
improves
function of
tendons and
joints, as
well as
benefiting the
cardiovascular-respiratory
system. A
systematic,
daily exercise
program is
something
people can do
to help
themselves
with many pain
problems. |
Attitude
- How you feel
about your
health is
probably more
important to
your well
being than
anything else
you do. You
need to
maintain a
positive
attitude -
"I WILL
CONTROL THE
PAIN- THE PAIN
WILL NOT
CONTROL
ME"
ATTITUDE.
THERE IS
USUALLY NO
MAGIC BULLET
OR MIRACLE
CURE. |
PAIN
FACILITIES
WILL ATTEMPT
TO DO ALL THAT
THEY CAN TO
HELP YOU
MANAGE YOUR
PAIN, BUT YOU
MUST ALSO BE
WILLING TO
COOPERATE. |
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Author:
Robert V.
Plehn, M.D.,
DABA, FACA
Medical
Director,
DoctorsForPain.com |
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