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Interventional Pain Management: Understanding Your Options
Do you live with pain? From the sharp pain caused by problems like plantar fasciitis to the aches of arthritis to the throbbing pain of migraine or tension headaches, pain is always unpleasant. Unfortunately, some pain is just a normal part of life. If you suffer from severe pain or long-term pain, whatever the cause, you may need to see a pain management specialist. A pain management specialist is a physician who is specially trained in pain management methods. When you see a pain specialist, he or she will help you develop the pain management protocol that best meets your needs. Here are a few of the primary pain management options:
Drug Therapies
Sometimes the idea of taking pain medication seems frightening. Shouldn’t you be able to manage your pain without resorting to drugs? Even strong, capable people should not be forced to deal with constant pain. Using medications to manage pain does not mean that you are weak; it simply means that you are willing to take appropriate steps to improve your quality of life. There are many medications available that may be quite effective at reducing your pain with very few negative side effects. That being said, drug therapies are still not right for everyone.
Non-Medication Alternatives
If you do not want to take prescription pain-relieving medications, for any reason, you still have pain management options. There are several other therapies to consider. Just as with drug therapies, there are misconceptions surrounding many alternative treatments. Contrary to popular opinion, treatments such as hypnosis and
meditation are not based in quasi-religious mumbo-jumbo; they are therapies that have been tested and verified by scientific research to work in some cases. If you do not want to take medication, talk to your specialist about alternatives to medicine.
The Simplest Answers
Sometimes the best solution for pain is to take steps to improve your general health. Eating right, exercising and staying in shape are some of the best things you can do to manage your current pain and reduce your risk of dealing with long-term pain in the future. If you are already dealing with chronic pain, you should consider low-impact therapies such as bicycling, lightweight training and swimming or water aerobics.
