Most Americans will experience some chronic pain at one point or another. As we age and our bodies begin to change over time, experiencing minor to significant levels of chronic pain is an inevitability for most. Also, chronic pain often comes with the territory after having endured an accident, sleeping in an awkward position, or overworking muscles due to strenuous activity. The list of causes for how chronic pain develops is far too long to list.
The top 3 areas of the body for experiencing chronic pain are the back, neck, and knee areas. Some individuals may even experience chronic pain in 1 or more of these areas, along with others. Even when someone experiences constant headaches, they’re still considered to have chronic pain. Whenever feeling a significant level of chronic pain or discomfort, it’s essential to seek medical attention for pain management.
What Is Pain Management?
Pain is complex, and there are many different levels of pain to consider when discussing the topic of pain management. Someone’s pain level can range from minor to severe, and depending on how much pain someone is in determines what course of action to take.
Many people ask, “what does a pain management doctor do?” First, a pain management doctor asks the patient a series of questions regarding their pain, then assesses the patient, runs tests, and creates a custom pain management plan to treat them appropriately. The pain management plan is designed for the patient to follow so that they can work towards alleviating their chronic pain and therefore, improve upon their overall lifestyle.
Pain management deals with the different treatment options available for those who experience slight-to-severe chronic pain. There are many types of treatments available for those that endure chronic pain daily, and there are specific treatments that have successfully alleviated this pain for many people. Some of these treatments include:
- Medication management
- Interventional procedures
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic therapy
- Psychological counseling and support
- Acupuncture and other alternatives/homeopathic therapies
These treatments have worked wonders for so many people suffering from chronic pain. Some pain treatments are more invasive than others, which entails that the chronic pain is caused by something more sinister.
The neck area, for instance, features an intricate network of bones, nerves, and muscles that harmonize with one another to provide sensation and movement. The cervical spine’s anatomy leaves the neck areas vulnerable to a variety of injuries and generative diseases that ultimately catalyze chronic neck pain.
How Does Pain Management Work?
Managing your chronic pain with the help of a doctor is essential. Your doctor can determine what the issue is in terms of what is causing your chronic pain and create a pain management plan accordingly. The plan that your doctor creates will help to manage this pain in a way that won’t interfere with your life.
Everyone deserves to be happy without suffering from excruciating pain. The possibilities are endless for those that don’t have to worry about the hinderance of chronic pain.
Approximately 80% of Americans will experience chronic pain at some point in their lives, and 10% of the world’s population suffers from lower back pain, particularly. Back pain is especially prevalent amongst Americans, which has caused Americans to spend at least $50 billion annually on treatment for their back pain.
The numbers don’t lie. Chronic pain is an epidemic that has created a significant catalyst for the rise of opioid addiction and the massive increase of deaths and injuries as a result of people abusing these medications. And although medication is often a necessary form of treating chronic pain, it’s not the only method. It can’t just stand on its own to treat someone’s pain. It needs to accompany other methods of treatment to suitably alleviate and manage someone’s pain levels.
Whether it’s through chiropractic, physical, or homeopathic therapy, one can’t only take a pill to make their chronic pain go away forever. It just doesn’t work that way. Treating chronic pain is a process and does not happen overnight. If you’re experiencing chronic pain and don’t know where else to turn, then speak with your primary care physician about your options.
The medical professionals at The Medical Centre of Lehigh Acres can help you to properly manage your chronic pain so that you can get your life back. Don’t let pain prevent you from accomplishing everything that you want in life. Take a stand against chronic pain now. A referral to an excellent pain management physician may be an option to resolve your condition. So call us today to speak with a doctor about what pain management options will work best for you.
