Right now so many people are coping with pain and thinking about ways to better manage that pain. Many are forced to rely on medications to deal with this pain. Treatments can range from over the counter medications to prescription drugs, and even injections or pumps to give patients the pain relief they desperately need. Many times prescription drugs such as opioids are required to provide adequate pain relief, but many times safer options are available. Since opioids are so addictive, pain management physicians often look for alternatives to effectively treat pain while trying to minimize dependence.
There are many options when treating chronic pain. A first step would be to see a specialist in pain management. This will allow the physician to get to know what you have been dealing with. The severity of your injury, and how you have been coping with the pain. The pain specialist can get a better understanding of the pain site, pain triggers, medicines and or treatments currently being used. This will also allow your pain management specialist to help formulate a game plan going forward to help reduce or eliminate your pain. Hopefully this includes reducing or eliminating oral opioid use and substituting equally effective but safer strategies.
Other treatment options from your pain management specialist can include an arsenal of interventional techniques. These can include spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal pump implantation and management, and many other options to reduce or eliminate pain. This partnership with your doctor can help get you to a pain free tomorrow all while eliminating the chance of prescription drug addiction.
Home Remedies may also help you cope and manage pain. Talk to your pain management doctor prior to doing any exercise or alternate remedy.
These may include but not limited to:
- Working with a chiropractor to help with stretching and flexibility. This could potentially facilitate your healing process thus reducing pain.
- Seeing a physical therapist can also help with managing and elimination pain. Treatments used can range from heat/ice packs to electrical stimulation, dry needling and more.
- While many types of exercise can be more harmful than good for pain, some can help reduce pain and inflammation. A few exercising that have been helpful especially when dealing with back pain are: Knee to chest stretches, bridges, pelvic tilts, rotational stretches, and more.Certain types of massages can also help with pain. Research shows the increased blood flow helps with circulation. This can reduce inflammation and pain. Massages can also help improve flexibility in tight muscles and even improve sleep.Watching your weight can also play a major factor when dealing with chronic pain. Keeping to a healthy weight puts less pressure on your spine and joints, thus reducing pain and inflammation.If the pain persists, Dr. Aust Interventional Pain is here to help. We have offices in Slidell, Metairie, and Thibodaux. Call us today, schedule an appointment and start your journey to achieve optimal pain relief! 985-377-1884 “We believe most patients can achieve optimal pain management with little to no chronic oral opioids, and use interventions to reduce or eliminate oral opioid use”.Dr. Tod Aust