Pain is a part of life and is an inevitable consequence of living in a world where your body can be injured or diseased. Pain management is about trying to reduce pain and suffering by making it more tolerable. Pain therapy also helps people cope with their pain and live with it better. Pain therapy is a term for therapies that help you manage, tolerate, and learn how to live with your chronic pain conditions.
What is physical pain?
Pain is different from your body's warning signals or danger signs. Pain means something damaged or hurt in your body. Pain travels through nerves to the brain, where you become aware of it so you can try to protect yourself. Pain signals are transferred through electrical and chemical energy and travel fast along nerve fibres to the brain.
## What does physical pain feel like?
Physical pain comes in many forms. Pain can be sharp or dull, constant or intermittent, mild or severe. Pain signals are transmitted when nociceptors are activated by different kinds of cell damage, such as the release of toxins into your tissues when they've been hurt.
Pain is therefore often described in terms of intensity, duration and type. Pain that is sharp and well-defined may have an intense sensation experienced in one location. Pain that is dull and poorly defined may involve a whole region or even an entire limb. Pain that is constant and unyielding may be considered severe, while intermittent pain that comes and goes may seem mild.
## What does it mean you have physical pains in your body?
Physical pain is a very powerful signal that something may be wrong. Pain can serve as an alert to stop doing something or going somewhere, therefore preventing further injury and damage. It can also force you to rest and recuperate from an existing problem before it becomes worse, i.e., sprained ankle from walking on it too much.
In some cases, physical pain has been known to help people solve problems, often unconsciously. Pain may inspire you to make changes in your life, sometimes for the better.
## Can physical pain cause mental distress?
Extended sensations of physical pain can also cause or increase stress. Pain changes your mood by making you feel either depressed, anxious, angry, fearful or irritable. Pain may even affect your sleep patterns and appetite. If pain continues for a long time, it can lead to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
## How physical pain affects the quality of life?
Physical pain can ruin your self-confidence. Pain can make you feel less attractive or interfere with things like work, social activities and family commitments. Pain may also affect the way other people see you. Pain makes it hard to focus on anything else but that constant nagging sensation. Physical pain may stop you from being able to function normally in everyday life because it is so distracting.
## When to seek help for physical pain?
If you are experiencing severe pain in your body, consult a professional immediately. Pain is a natural warning sign that something is wrong with your body.
Don't ignore physical pain or assume it won't last long. Pain that is ignored can lead to serious medical problems, even death in some instances. Pain needs to be assessed by a medical professional who will determine the cause and advise you on ways to relieve it.
## Where to seek help for physical pain?
Go to your local doctor or health care professional for help with physical pain. They will ask you questions about the type of pain you are feeling, its location and how long it has lasted. After making an assessment, they may refer you to a specialist for further testing and treatment.
## What are some things I can do about physical pain?
When it comes to managing mild physical pain, over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may provide some relief. However, if your pain is worse than just mild discomfort, you should consult a health care professional as soon as possible for safe and effective pain management treatment.
## How to treat physical pain?
Physical pain can be treated with medication, physical therapy or surgery. Painkillers, anti-inflammatory medicines and other medications may help to reduce the intensity of your pain.
Physical therapy is one of the best ways to overcome chronic pain. Pain management therapists use different techniques to treat acute injuries so you can recover more quickly without having to deal with unnecessary suffering. They can also advise on changes you need to make to your lifestyle so you become less susceptible to future problems.
## What is pain management therapy?
Pain management therapy is a broad term that includes many different techniques and treatments for pain. Pain management may include:
- Physical Therapy
- Painkillers and Anti-inflammatory Medication
- Surgery
Some forms of surgery aim to reduce or eliminate the source of your pain. Pain surgery can be very effective in certain cases as it targets specific nerves, body tissues and other parts of the body where your symptoms originate from. Pain management surgery can come as a last resort if your symptoms have not been relieved by any other form of treatment. There are several types of surgeries available for chronic pain sufferers including:
Spinal cord stimulator placement - A small device, about the size of a matchbox, which emits a mild electrical current to specific nerves that carry messages of pain from the body. It is a minimally invasive technique and can be done in a surgical centre under local anaesthesia. When it works, this treatment can reduce pain significantly while medication effects wear off.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) - Similar to the above-mentioned therapy, but rather than implanting electrodes along the spinal cord itself, the device emits electrical currents through wires attached at small incisions near the lower back or neck. Pain relief occurs because the currents block pain messages sent by your brain to your body. SCS has been successfully used for several types of chronic pains including:
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) — An intense burning and throbbing sensation that often affects only one limb or the face.
- Failed Back Surgery Syndrome — Pain resulting from a previous surgery that has not been successful.
Laminectomy - In this technique, surgeons remove a portion of your vertebrae to create more space between your spinal cord and nerves. This can greatly reduce or eliminate pain signals being sent to the brain when bone spurs or other issues in your spine are putting pressure on surrounding tissue.
Discectomy - A surgical procedure where a herniated disc in the back is removed so it no longer causes pain along with any nerve roots it may be pressing against.
## Are there alternatives to pain surgery?
Yes, while pain surgery may act as a last resort, physical therapy aims to manage both non-operative conditions as well as operative conditions related to physical pain. It uses exercise therapy, manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) also known as joint mobilisation, massage therapy, electrical stimulation therapy to help reduce physical pain by improving function through various methods.
## In conclusion
Pain is a sensation or feeling that can be experienced for many reasons. Pain management therapy is a broad term that includes many different techniques and treatments to help reduce pain, including surgery. Pain management may include Physical Therapy Painkillers and Anti-inflammatory Medication Surgery. While some forms of surgery aim to reduce or eliminate the source of your pain, operative surgery should almost always be a last resort. Instead, you could opt for physical therapy to relieve physical pain.
If you are looking for pain management or physical therapy, give Aspire Lifestyle Hub a call to get an assessment on the types of treatments available as well as their pros and cons. Aspire Lifestyle Hub specialises in physical therapy and pain management.
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