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Chronic Pain Syndrome

Comprehensive Information on Symptoms, Treatments and Latest Medical Advances

Chronic Pain Management Clinic

Posted on August 11, 2012 Written by Patrick Leave a Comment

chronic pain management clinics  Chronic pain management is a relatively new field, with the first pain clinic set up in 1960. There are currently just under four hundred accredited pain management programs, clinics and pain centers in the country. These include private clinics as well as those housed within hospitals and universities.

The American Academy of Pain Management is the only multi-disciplinary body offering healthcare practitioners certification in pain management. To find a suitable clinic it is worth consulting your general practitioner, a local hospital or even a medical school. Organizations that support pain research may be able to help, such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Or ask friends for local recommendations.

Inside a Pain Management Clinic

Pain management clinic employs an interdisciplinary approach to pain relief all working together to achieve an improvement in the quality of the lives of those living in constant pain. A professional team of medical practitioners, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and nurse practitioners are employed to assess the individual and provided a coordinated team effort in creating a pain management program.

History and Physical

An initial assessment is performed by a doctor, who will look into the complete medical history, previous illnesses and overall health. Questions will be asked about the pain itself, previous pain episodes, how they were treated and whether treatment was successful.

The doctor may ask about any family history of chronic pain, current pain treatment and identification of activities that may trigger pain episodes. Questions about diet and lifestyle may also be asked.

A physical examination will allow the doctor to identify areas of pain and he will assess physical well- being.  This exam may uncover health problems, which have been contributing towards the chronic pain. Moving the limbs will help identify painful areas.

Neurological and Mental Health Exam

A neurological examination may also be undertaken to identify possible problems with the nervous system by asking the patient to complete a few physical tasks, and checking reflexes and physical stimuli.

A mental health assessment will assess the ability to remember, reason and think, and will evaluate emotional functioning. Depression, stress and insomnia are often side effects of living with chronic pain and can even contribute towards it. The doctor may also ask about alcohol and drug usage.

Diagnostic Tests are part of Pain Management Clinic Protocol

A series of diagnostic tests may be used to rule out or identify health conditions. Blood tests will determine underlying health problems, such as infection or disease. X-rays, scans and other imaging tests may also be used to look for disease or injury.

Electromyogram and other nerve tests measure muscle and nerve function to determine whether this is where the chronic pain lies. Angiograms and other vascular studies may be used to trace the movement in the body, while diagnostic nerve blocks can identify if a nerve is causing the pain.

With these multiple approaches to find the root cause of pain, the management team can then work alongside the patient to produce a highly individualized pain management program.

Filed Under: Managing Chronic Pain, Pain Management Clinics, Pain Management Programs Tagged With: American Society of Anesthesiologists, chronic pain, Health, Medical Specialties, Medicine, Nervous system, pain management, United States

Infrared and Ultrasonic Treatment

Posted on August 11, 2012 Written by Patrick Leave a Comment

infrared and ultrasonic treatment chronic pain relief  When treating chronic pain it is worth trying procedures such as infrared and ultrasonic treatment which act in a non-invasive way to cure or lessen the effect of the pain. These two methods of alternative treatment involve the use of ultrasound and infrared, harnessing the healing effects of sound and light respectively.

Ultrasonic Treatments for Chronic Pain Relief

Ultrasonic treatment, which evolved in the 1940’s, involves the use of high-energy sound waves, transmitted through a transducer head, to treat painful joints and muscles. It is mainly used by physical and occupational therapists. It utilizes high or low frequency sound waves, which are transmitted to the affected area to cause deep tissue and muscle warming. This promotes relaxation of the tissue and is effective in the treatment of spasms and muscle tightness. The sound waves also cause the blood vessels to dilate increasing circulation to the area requiring healing.

Thermal vs. Mechanical Ultrasonic Treatment

There are two types of ultrasonic treatment, thermal and mechanical. Thermal treatment uses a continuous transmission of sound causing a microscopic vibration in deep tissue molecules creating heat and friction. This encourages healing of the soft tissues.

Mechanical treatment uses pulses of sound to penetrate tissue, causing the tissue to expand and contract. This can decrease inflammation, reduce swelling and consequently reduce pain. Ultrasonic treatment is not painful – slight warmth may be felt or mild pulsing. Tight Calf Muscle Release Technique FREE TIP

Infrared Treatment

Infrared treatment involves the use of specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing activity. Medical practitioners have used it for over 20 years, and it can involve the use of light panels and wraps.

Using light energy, invisible to the naked eye, infrared light therapy provides heat, which travels below the skin surface to a depth of up to 3 inches. This activates cell activity, creating cell repair and stimulation of the immune, vascular and lymphatic systems, resulting in the reduction of pain and inflammation. It also relaxes nerve cells and causes the release of endorphins, a natural pain -killer. Like ultrasonic treatment, infrared treatment is not painful.

Both treatments involve a plethora of equipment available. Physical and occupational therapists will use FDA approved equipment and will have received appropriate training to administer treatment.

At-Home Infrared and Ultrasonic Treatments

Hand held and portable equipment can be beneficial for home use or as an interim measure between treatments, but it is advisable to consult a professional regarding the type of device and correct usage. Incorrect use of ultrasonic treatment has been known to cause burning, especially if the transducer head remains still in one area for too long. Some medication may create photosensitivity making the patient sensitive to infrared treatment.

Infrared and ultrasonic treatments, while not suitable for every patient, may prove beneficial to chronic pain sufferers, and it may be worth discussing them with a medical practitioner.

Filed Under: Alternative Therapies, Infrared and Ultrasonic Treatments Tagged With: Alternative medicine, chronic pain, FDA, Infrared, pain, pain management, Sound, Therapy, Ultrasonic Treatment

Chronic Pain Medication

Posted on August 11, 2012 Written by Patrick Leave a Comment

chronic pain medicationsChronic pain medication is often the first treatment offered by your doctor when you are looking for relief. Control for chronic pain may be obtained by targeting the right types of drugs directed at treating the underlying problem and minimizing discomfort with different chronic pain medication and non-medicinal treatment. Unfortunately, it may take a lot of trial and error to find the right meds for you but controlling the pain is well worth it.

Another unfortunate issue that is on the rise in America is addictions to the prescribed chronic pain medication. It is a real and serious problem to which there is no easy solution. Nonetheless, pharmacological treatment is the only option for many who suffer with chronic pain.

Pharmacological treatments for Chronic Pain Medication may include the use of:

  • NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
  • long and short acting opioids
  • psychotropic drugs (anti-convulsant and anti-depressant medication)
  • corticosteroids

Chronic Pain Medication such as analgesic creams and topical treatments  may also be prescribed:

Non-prescription medication includes herbal and homeopathy remedies and over counter medication such as aspirin and acetaminophen. Different medication suits different people, and may be prescribed in a combination of drugs. It is important to keep to the prescribed medication and not mix with over counter and other remedies as they may conflict with one another or even cause more harm to your health.

Acetaminophen (found in brands such as Tylenol® and other generic equivalents) is sold over the counter and may also be combined with codeine, by prescription only. When using drugs with codiene it is important to keep to the prescribed dose, as it can become habit forming.

NSAIDS for Chronic Pain Relief

NSAIDs are widely prescribed and may sometimes be called non-narcotic drugs. Meloxicam (Mobic) and celecoxib (Celebrex) are two types of NSAIDs commonly in use. They act by blocking enzymes, which create inflammatory responses in the body tissues. Ibuprofen, (also known as Advil or Motrin), which is available without prescription, is another NSAID.

Opoids

Opioids, derived from the poppy plant, are amongst the oldest of drugs known to man. They include codeine and morphine. Opioids have a narcotic effect, inducing sedation as well as relief from pain, and some patients may become dependant on them, so usage is heavily monitored. They may be taken intravenously for short-term relief, or orally, topically or by suppository for long term relief.

Psychotropic Drugs

Psychotropic drugs, such as anti- depressants, while often used for mood stabilizing and depression, also contain a substance which acts on the central nervous system. Amitriptyline (Elavil) is a well-known tricyclic anti-depressant used in pain relief. Anti-convulsants or anti-epilepsy drugs such as carbamazepine have long been used to control nerve pain.

Corticosteroids for Pain Relief

Corticosteroids, commonly called steroids, are drugs closely related to cortisol, a hormone produced in the outer layer of the adrenal gland. They act on the immune system, blocking the production of substances that trigger inflammatory reactions. Cortisone (Cortone) is a commonly used steroid.

Topical Pain Meds

Topical pain treatments include balms, gels, creams, lotions, ointment and patches. These can include a NSAID ingredient, counter irritants, capsaicin or an analgesic. They work in different ways by numbing pain, soothing with a hot or cold sensation or reducing inflammation.

Herbal and Homeopathic Pain Remedies

Using herbal or homeopathic remedies may also play a part in pain reduction. The herb Devils Claw acts on inflammation and pain when taken orally. Comfrey poultices may reduce swelling and pain. Homeopathic remedies such as Rhus Toxicodendron, Bryonia and Hypericum are all pain relieving remedies. Topical arnica as well as the oral version reduces pain and swelling.

Pain can be difficult to control but a carefully chosen combination of appropriate medication should assist greatly in chronic pain management.

Filed Under: Chronic Pain Medications, Managing Chronic Pain Tagged With: chronic pain, Chronic Pain Medication, Conditions and Diseases, Health, Meloxicam, pain, pain management, Pharmaceutical drug

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