Approaches to Pain Managment

By Jennifer Lee, DO, MPH

Steinmetz Integrative & Functional Medicine Center

More Pain Management & Rehabilitation Articles

Approaches to Pain Managment

Pain costs the US billions of dollars annually in lost work, productivity and medical expenses. Additionally, billions are spent on prescription and over-the-counter medication to treat pain.

What is Pain?

First of all, not all pain is the same. Why some people feel more pain than others has to do with what makes us unique individuals. Pain is defined by tolerance and threshold.

Tolerance is the perception of pain. It is used to assess pain's effect on daily life and the patient's ability to function. Pain threshold is how much pain someone feels. Some people have such a low threshold just brushing their leg against their clothes can be painful.

How is Pain Treated?

Your doctor needs to determine what kind of pain it is before prescribing treatment. Asking questions and the use of imaging techniques, like x-rays, to “see” what's wrong, can help determine the source of, and reason for, the pain. Figuring out where the pain originates and what causes it can define the best treatment.

Medication

Pain is commonly treated with over-the-counter medication, like ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), naproxen (Aleve) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). If this is not enough, then stronger medication may be prescribed.

Sometimes steroid injections are used to target specific areas. These are typically administered by an orthopedic surgeon or a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist.

Medicines are not without risk. People can develop stomach problems or become dependent, and taking too much can cause kidney or liver damage. Follow the instructions on the bottle. If pain does not improve see your doctor.

Osteopathic Manipulation

This is a kind of manipulation similar to chiropractic but is performed by a board certified osteopathic doctor. It is an alignment of the entire body, from the soft tissues to the muscles and skeletal structure. It aims to eliminate pain by encouraging the body to function properly.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can reduce pain and it also increases circulation to the area. It literally means to puncture with a needle. While it originated in China many centuries ago, it is still an officially recognized medical practice in many regions of the world. In Virginia, physicians who perform acupuncture are accredited and certified. The needles are single-use, solid and sterile. Most people barely feel anything when they are inserted, and the patient may feel some minor soreness for a day or two afterwards. Treatment usually requires 3-4 sessions for the patient to feel a difference.

Mind Body Medicine Approaches

Qi Gong, meditation/biofeedback and Reiki help the body with pain perception and can help you modify your reaction to pain. They should not be used alone, but to supplement medical treatments.

Surgery

If nothing else helps, surgery may be suggested. For example, a knee or hip replacement can reduce osteoarthritis pain.

If you are experiencing pain that interferes with your normal daily activities, talk to your doctor. There are many treatments that can help you get your life back.