Chronic Pain Treatment: What's Available?

There are several options for medications over the counter and by prescription. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Advil (Ibuprofen) and aspirin may be prescribed for mild to moderate pain. These should not be taken for more than 10 days without consulting your physician. Always follow the label directions.

Next we'll move on to prescriptive medications.

There are many varying approaches to pain management and varying medication choices as well. For example, corticosteroids which are used to reduce pain and inflammation could include: medrol, solumedrol, kenolog, prednisolone, local injections and many more. Then you have the opioid analgesics which include: oxycodone, morphine or MS Contin, methadone and many others. Topical analgesic patches such as: duragesic, lidoderm/lidocaine, nitrofen, etc. Even anti-seizure medications such as Tegretol and Neurontin can be helpful when used for nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia. There are also other options including physical therapy, occupational therapy, radiofrequency neuroblation or surgery.

There are alternative therapies.

Some of us do not want to first seek the 'medical' approach. Taking an alternative approach we can utilize many alternative treatment modalities and therapies including: yoga, meditation, guided imagery, traditional Chinese medicine, massage therapy, aromatherapy, biofeedback, chiropractic care, music therapy and acupuncture. These are a just a few of the options available. These alternative therapies have helped to facilitate increased well-being and decreased pain for many people. They are also cost effective and have little or no side effects when compared with the allopathic (medical) approach. Alternative or allopathic, that choice too, belongs to you. Research, learn and choose the option or options that fit your needs, belief system and lifestyle the best.

Be educated about choosing your care provider.

When choosing your care provider whether it is a medical doctor, a pain specialist, an alternative medicine therapist, etc., choose one that you feel comfortable with. Also ask around and check them out. Make sure they have had positive experiences and are knowledgeable in treating patients with chronic pain.

Before you visit your care provider know what you expect out of your visit. Write down your questions and make a checklist. Take someone with you if possible. They will be good at catching the parts that you miss and helping you to remember the questions you wanted to ask when you came here. When you are in pain you may be more likely to forget something vital that was discussed in your visit. If you have someone with you, you can retrieve that valuable information.

The power of support groups.

Don't underestimate the benefits of support groups. These groups can play a key role in helping you to gain the coping skills necessary to deal with your chronic pain. Look for these support groups in your local newspaper or the internet. For your convenience, some are listed below.

As you can see, there are many options to assist with chronic pain. Research and educate yourself on these options. Choose what is right for you. If one or a combination doesn't work for you move on to something else. Remember. Your pain is real. Be diligent. There is help.

Chronic Pain Support and Resources

American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA 95677-0850
ACPA@pacbell.net
http://www.theacpa.org
Tel: 916-632-0922 800-533-3231
Fax: 916-632-3208

American Pain Foundation
201 North Charles Street
Suite 710
Baltimore, MD 21201-4111
info@painfoundation.org
http://www.painfoundation.org
Tel: 888-615-PAIN (7246)
Fax: 410-385-1832

Arthritis Foundation
1330 West Peachtree Street
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30309
help@arthritis.org
http://www.arthritis.org

American Academy of Pain Management
13947 Mono Way #A
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 533-9744

American Pain Society
4700 W. Lake Ave.
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 375-4715

National Chronic Pain Society
PO Box 903
Tomball, TX 77377
(281) 357-4673

NIH Neurological Institute
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
Voice: (800) 352-9424 or (301) 496-5751
TTY (for people using adaptive equipment): (301) 468-5981

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Targeting Arthritis Improving Quality of Life for More Than
46 Million Americans; Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Mayo Clinic Staff; How You Feel Pain; MayoClinic.com

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Chronic Pain Information Page; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke