Pain Management Techniques

Massage therapists should be aware of the increasing number of people being affected by chronic pain, as integrative medicine, and among other pain management techniques, the massage therapy in particular can be a valuable tool in treatment options. In fact, a combination of multiple treatment methods can be most effective in pain management technique.

There are a number of pain management techniques to choose from when treating chronic pain. The non-invasive techniques involve treatment using physical exercise, manual techniques, as well as the most common treatment method, pharmaceuticals. In pain management the pain relievers are commonly prescribed to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms. The more invasive methods of treating pain primarily include surgical injections.

Massage therapy is ideal for those suffering with chronic pain because this technique is non-invasive and requires no drug treatment, and there are a variety of techniques a massage therapist can employ to the benefit of the patients. The role of massage therapy in pain management can be substantial. Fitting into the safest category with the best long-term outcome, massage is an excellent, non-drug, non-invasive, pain management, manual technique.

Most of the people who have had to see a loved one or friend spend many an agonizing hour in the hospital would agree that no patient deserves to suffer from pain, especially from chronic pain. Whether chronic or acute, pain is something which distresses those people afflicted by it, often interfering in their daily activities and ruining their sleep. Pain management techniques incorporate several modalities used in tandem with one another and ranging from massages to the surgical insertion of electrotherapy devices. Pain management programs are used in the treatment of a multiplicity of pain types including back pain, neck pain, myofacial pain, cancer pain, neuropathic pain, headaches, pain that follows a surgery and pediatric pain.

Pain management techniques are directed at enhancing the physical, social and psychological functioning of the individual. A sufferer should be wise in selecting the right program from the right pain management clinic to get maximum benefit. The first step in selecting a suitable pain management program is finding a suitable clinic in close proximity to the home and which has a separate, specialized pain management section. The section should include such medical professionals as psychiatrists, neurologists, anesthesiologists, physical therapists, and nurses; and these professionals should be well-versed in the pain management techniques.

The pain management program should also offer features such as counseling for both the patient and his family, facilities for exercise training, and follow-up services.

The pain management techniques used in pain management programs can be non-invasive or invasive. Common among the non-invasive methods of managing pain are manual methods like osteopathy and chiropractics, exercise, electrotherapy and cognitive therapy, use of narcotic medications and analgesics. Invasive methods include prolotherapy, radiofrequency radio ablations and medications. Pain management techniques offered by competent pain management clinics focus on personalized care. Once the program has started, the progress made by the sufferer is reviewed at intervals and changes are made if necessary, to the program of care.

The reality is that a particular pain management program may sometimes initially not work so effectively for a sufferer. Though results can not be expected overnight, once the patient has found himself the right approach, the road to recovery would not be too far off.

• John Palsson
• 05/12/2008, 4:59 AM
• 0 Comments