Effective Methods Of Chronic Pain Management

Millions of people are afflicted with chronic pain, which is characterized by pain that lasts for more than six months.  This type of pain can be continuous or episodic, excruciating or mild, completely incapacitating or just inconvenient.  Backaches, joint pains, headaches and pain from injuries account for the most commonly reported  sources of pain.  Generalized nerve or muscle pains could also develop into chronic conditions.

Chronic pain takes an emotional toll that exacerbates the physical pain.  Fatigue, anger, depression, stress and anxiety interact with chronic pain in complicated ways and could decrease the production of natural painkillers in the body.  A considerable amount of evidence has been mounted which proves that unrelenting pain could suppress the regular function of the immune system.  As a result of the mind-body association of chronic pain, it requires addressing both the physical and psychological aspects to effectively treat this condition.

As a result of the complexity of pain, a number of treatment options are used in chronic pain management.

Managing Chronic Pain

The objective of chronic pain management is to enhance function and enable individuals to participate in day-to-day activities such as working or attending school.  Both the patients and the doctors have a variety of treatment options at their disposal.  Sometimes, relief is provided by using imagery and relaxation as a distraction.  Regardless of the  treatment regime, the important thing is to bear in mind that pain is treatable.  Below are two of the treatment methods that are among the most commonly used:

Acupuncture

This ancient branch of non-conventional medicine involves targeting precise body points through the application of needles.  It is a component of a general category of care that is referred to as traditional Oriental or Chinese medicine.  Although acupuncture remains controversial, it is very popular; individuals find it a useful treatment for a variety of conditions and it is continuously explored by investigators, patients and practitioners.

Medications

Medications used in the management of chronic pain include:

Analgesic

Antidepressants

Anticonvulsants

Aspirin

Managing chronic pain is extremely essential and a number of individuals who are afflicted with these debilitating pains all over their bodies are unable to function normally without using proper pain management techniques.

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