If you suffer from chronic joint or muscle aches, you may be a candidate for a pain management program. Find out what you need to know about this and how it can help you.

Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that can affect many aspects of your life, leaving you with complaints such as a disturbed sleep pattern, a disruption in your exercise routine, and increased time off from work. However, it is possible to gain relief from your symptoms using a pain management program to help you manage your condition. Learn the facts about how this could help you.

This syndrome can be difficult to treat since the reason for your discomfort is often obscure, requiring a combination of treatment methods before any relief is obtained. You may even notice increased soreness and tenderness after starting treatment due to loss of flexibility and strength from your inactivity, which can lead to an exacerbation of your symptoms. At the end of your treatment regimen, you should expect to have reduced complaints, improved functioning ability, and a more regular sleep pattern. Although this condition is never cured completely, it can be managed with a combination of exercise, therapy, and medication, which will allow for a dramatic improvement in the quality of your life. If you have had chronic soreness and tenderness for more than several months, be sure to see your doctor to find out if you would benefit from a pain management program, since early treatment is important.

If your physician feels you are a good candidate for this kind of program, he may refer you to a specialist for further treatment. An internal medicine doctor is often the first step in your journey to a pain-free life, but if he cannot help you significantly, he may refer you to a physician in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Otherwise known as a physiatrist, he will focus on formulating a physical therapy plan for you. If your complaints are related to injuries you suffered, such as broken bones or torn muscles, you may benefit from being treated by a surgeon, such as an orthopedist or a neurosurgeon. You may even be treated by an anesthesiologist, as some patients have received relief from spinal injections of steroids or anesthetics, as well as the implantation of a spinal cord stimulator. Additionally, you may even seek aid from a chiropractor who will treat you with spinal manipulations and body mechanics feedback.

One of the methods commonly used is physical therapy, which uses a variety of conditioning and strengthening exercises to help regain your physical functioning ability. Likewise, you may be advised to work with an occupational therapist that can help you adapt to your workplace environment. If your discomfort is causing you emotional distress, you may gain some benefit by seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist to help with any underlying depression or decreased coping skills. In addition, your doctor may have prescribed medication to help with any discomfort, inflammation, depression, or sleeping problems you may be having, as these are often associated with this syndrome. These may include ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, antidepressants, and steroids. However, due to their addictive qualities as well as the possibility of abuse, most physicians are reluctant to prescribe narcotic medications such as codeine.

Thanks to advances made in the field, you can use pain management methods to reduce discomfort. You should talk to your physician soon about starting such a program to improve your quality of life.

Article Tags: Pain Management