Does Pain Management Really Work?

Millions of people suffer from chronic pain. The most common types of pain are arthritis, lower back, bone/joint pain, muscle pain and fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain affecting various parts of the body. Treating chronic pain is often difficult, even with surgery. Many non-surgical options are also available to manage pain. The question that most patients ask is ‘does pain management really work’? It does – provided specialists administer the treatment.

Getting Specialized Pain Relief Treatment

The evaluation and management of pain is now a highly specialized field. Many factors are responsible for causing pain and therefore a multidisciplinary approach is required to treat it. Such specialized chronic pain management involves an integrated and coordinated intervention from different disciplines with a common goal. Available at multi-specialty healthcare centers, pain management treatment usually includes pain management specialists, physical therapists, neurologists, chiropractors, orthopedic specialists, nurses, and other associate staff. This approach includes:

• A thorough evaluation which involves obtaining a history of the pain and a physical and comprehensive examination


• Diagnostic testing – MRI, x-ray, medical lab tests, and other diagnostic reports


• Formulation of a treatment plan


• Coordinated team treatment

Treatment can be provided on an out-patient basis, with the patient needing to come to the center for a specified number of hours a week.

Effective Non-surgical Treatments for Relief from Back Pain

Many factors could cause back pain – muscle or ligament strain, injury, poor posture, accidents, sedentary lifestyle, aging and weight gain. Multi-specialty pain management centers formulate very effective, individualized treatment plans to help their patients restore their functional abilities. A comprehensive back pain treatment program could include:

• Prolotherapy – a non-surgical treatment in which a dextrose solution is injected into the ligament or tendon at the point it connects to the bone. This enhances the blood supply and flow of nutrients to the affected area and encourages tissue healing and repair.


• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – a special device passes low voltage electrical energy to stop pain impulses and stimulate blood circulation


• Massage – this serves to relax stress points, increase blood circulation and speed up healing


• Heat and cold applications – both heat and cold can reduce sensitivity to pain; if there is bleeding or swelling, ice is preferred


• Epidural steroid injections – cortisone injections bring down inflammation


• Oral medication -  analgesics, NSAIDs, narcotic medications, and muscle relaxants offer relief from severe pain


• Chiropractic care – this involves hands-on manipulation to improve mobility and reduce muscular spasm


• Physical therapy:  physical therapy exercises and massage increase strength and mobility

Getting treatment from an established pain management center is the best way to deal with chronic pain.