Different Types of Pain Management

Pain is the most commonly experienced symptom of thousands of issues within the body, from injuries and diseases to conditions, medications or treatments. In some instances, pain may have no known cause.

A pain management plan is designed by medical professionals to help those seeking pain relief from various types of pain. While pain treatment typically addresses symptoms that are acute, temporary or short-term, pain management usually supports individuals living with chronic, ongoing pain symptoms. The purpose of pain management is to help individuals feel better and improve their quality of life on a daily basis.

Types of Pain

Acute: This refers to sharp, intense pain that is usually the result of injury, such as bone fractures, muscle strains or tears, burns or other accidents. Certain medical conditions or illnesses can induce acute pain, such as appendicitis or kidney stones.

Chronic: Pain that lasts longer than six months is labelled as chronic. This may be caused by disease, untreated injuries, medical conditions such as arthritis, or neuropathy (nerve damage).

Neuropathic: Nervous system issues may cause nerve – or neuropathic – pain, where nerves send pain signals to the brain despite being undamaged. Conditions such as diabetes or HIV may induce this type of pain.

Common Conditions that Cause Pain

• Back issues and injuries, including sciatica, osteoporosis and herniated disks
• Muscle and joint injuries such as sprains, tears and frozen shoulder
• Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Headaches and migraines resulting in pain in the head and neck
• Face and dental issues, including TMD (temporomandibular disorder) or abscessed teeth
• Chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia
• Organ issues such as kidney stones or urinary tract infections
• Nerve damage such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Reproductive issues, including endometriosis or polycystic ovaries

Pain Management Techniques

Individuals seeking pain relief and needing ongoing pain management must first undergo medical investigation to rule out options for possible treatments or surgical procedures. Medical professionals may recommend a single approach or a combination of several to address your unique pain symptoms.

Medications

Different medications are needed to treat different types of pain, and are usually a vital part of the pain management plan. Acute pain relief can usually be achieved with short-term intake of paracetamol and ibuprofen. More severe or chronic pain may require a doctor’s prescription for higher strength versions of these tablets, anti-inflammatory drugs such as celecoxib or colchin, or even opiate-based options, which provide more pain relief than most other medications.

Due to the side-effects of certain medications, individuals should start on the lowest effective dose of pain relief as possible.

Most medication for pain management is taken in tablet form, although liquid form, suppositories may be recommended as well. A patch for back pain or other types of pain is also often used. Less common are pain injections, such as steroidal injections, which are usually administered in hospital and are rarely prescribed for chronic pain.

Counselling and Therapy

Changing how your mind reacts to physical discomfort can help you manage chronic pain. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioural therapy and biofeedback. Chronic pain may also contribute to feelings of depression or anxiety, which may be supported by counselling, meditation or other types of mind-based therapy. A pain diary may help you identify when pain is better or worse, informing your treatment plan.

Exercise

Movement and exercise in general is important for whole body health, including ongoing mobility and pain management. Specific activities such as Pilates, yoga, swimming or walking may be recommended to help reduce different types of pain, improve posture and enhance general body function. Exercise is also an important component of mental health.

Hands-On Therapy

Treatments such as massage, physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments or acupuncture may serve as helpful forms of pain management, depending on your symptoms.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Looking at health holistically may help individuals to reduce pain symptoms. Staying at a healthy weight, eating a balanced, nutritious diet, staying hydrated, getting enough quality sleep and managing stress levels can all contribute to a helpful chronic pain management plan. It may not always be possible to find total relief from ongoing pain, or it may take a while for pain symptoms to improve. Your medical professional will work together with you to adjust your pain management plan over time to give you the most relief possible.