Pain management is a treatment plan that can help you manage chronic pain. It can include medication, physical therapy, and psychological treatments such as stress management or coping skills training.

A doctor specializing in pain management can prescribe safe and effective medications for you. They also may recommend non-medication treatments such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, or other types of exercise.

What is pain?

Pain is a signal sent from nerve fibers in your body that lets you know there’s something wrong. It may be an annoying sensation or a debilitating one.

Acute pain usually comes on suddenly, often a sign of an injury or disease that needs treatment to heal. It usually goes away once the cause of it is resolved.

Chronic pain lasts for months or years and can be challenging. It can be due to many health conditions, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, and cancer.

Your perception of pain is partly based on how your brain interprets the signals from your nerve fibers. How you feel can also affect how your brain sends these signals to other brain regions.

What are my options?

There are numerous approaches you might take to comprehend pain management. Some contain prescription drugs, including NSAIDs and opioids like Healer. Others incorporate non-pharmaceutical therapies like massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, and guided meditation.

The best way to determine what works for you is to talk with your doctor. They will listen to your story, review your symptoms, and work with you to identify the pain management solutions that will be most effective.

Your provider might also recommend exercises such as Pilates, yoga, or tai chi to improve mobility and reduce pain. Some of these may require more effort than others, but they are well worth the trouble. Starting cautiously and progressively increasing your activity as you are able is a good general rule of thumb. Keeping a pain diary or list of triggers is a great way to track your progress and keep you accountable.

What causes pain?

Pain is a feeling of discomfort that results from the activation of nerves in the body. It can feel like sharp stabs, dull aches, throbbing, burning, or stinging.

It is a signal to the brain that something is wrong. It may be related to trauma, injury, or disease.

When people experience a noxious (painful) stimulus, sensory neurons called nociceptor cells to respond to the stimulus by sending an electrical impulse to the spinal cord and up to the brain. The brain then interprets the information and sends it to the rest of the nervous system to regulate various behaviors, such as the heart rate, blood flow to the muscles, and other physical responses.

When a person experiences persistent pain, these changes in the nervous system are prolonged and can cause fundamental psychological changes, including anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping. They can also exacerbate the problem if not treated. Several types of treatment are available to help manage your pain and improve your quality of life.

How can I manage my pain?

Pain affects people physically and emotionally, so finding ways to cope with it is essential. Talking with others who live with chronic pain or finding a support group can help reduce the burden of pain.

It’s also essential to manage your stress levels and avoid things that cause or worsen the pain. Try to relax and practice self-care activities like meditation and yoga.

A balanced diet may help with pain, too. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated.

Keeping a pain diary can help you and your doctor know what makes your pain better or worse. It can also help you understand how your pain is changing over time.