Pain management
pain is Complex
Fortunately we are discovering more and more ways to successfully control or relieve pain as experiencing consistent pain can be overwhelming and has a domino effect on your health. Pain can lead to less activity, weakness, fatigue, anger, anxiety and frustration, isolation, depression and effect your relationships with family, friends and work colleagues. Treatment options include: prescription and over the counter medications, therapies and mind/body techniques.
Opioids have an valuable place in today's medical treatment arsenal. They are a class of drugs including heroin, synthetic opioids, and prescription pain relievers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine and many others. However, opioids have become a serious national crisis affecting public health, since approximately 21-29% of people taking the drugs misuse them. Opioid pain relief can be safe for a short period of time when prescribed by your practitioner.
FOR PAIN RELIEF, Ask your physician about:
- Over the counter medications and prescription drugs
- Patient-controlled analgesia where you can self administer a pain medication
- Topical pain relievers such as creams, sprays or patches
- Steroid injections
- Nerve blocks
- Surgical implants
- Electrical nerve stimulation
- Acupuncture
- Meditation, hypnosis, guided imagery and other mind/body therapies
- Herbs and supplements
tips for when you are in pain:
- Take control – decide to self manage your pain as best you can
- Ask for help
- Build a support team
- Surround yourself with happy, upbeat people
- List the things you wish to accomplish during the day
- Pace yourself – don’t over do it and at the same time don’t allow yourself to become completely inactive
- Break up tasks into smaller portions and rest between them
- Apply heat or ice, as appropriate
- Apply relaxation techniques – listen to soft music, mediate, garden, go for a walk, do some stretching or light exercise
- Consider a yoga or tai chi class