Pain Management

The pain management program is designed to meet the needs of the individual patient, depending on the specific type of pain, disease, or condition. Active involvement of the patient and family is vital to the success of the program.

The goal of a pain management program is to help the patient return to the highest level of function and independence possible while improving the overall quality of life – physically, emotionally, and socially. Pain management techniques assist in reducing the suffering experienced by a person with chronic pain.

To help reach these goals, pain management programs may include the following:

• Medical management of chronic pain, including medication management:
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, and/or acetaminophen.
  • Prescription pain medications may be needed to provide stronger pain relief than aspirin, including narcotics. However, these drugs are reserved for more severe types of pain, as they have some potential for abuse and may have unpleasant side effects.
  • Prescription antidepressants can benefit some patients because these medications can increase the supply of a naturally produced neurotransmitter, serotonin. Serotonin has been found to be an important part of a pain-controlling pathway in the brain.

• Heat and cold treatments to reduce stiffness and pain, especially with joint disorders such as arthritis.

• Physical and occupational therapy interventions, such as massage and whirlpool treatments.

• Exercise to reduce spasticity, joint contractures, joint inflammations, spinal alignment problems, or muscle atrophy (weakening and shrinking) to prevent further problems.

• Local electrical stimulation that involves the application(s) of brief pulses of electricity to nerve endings under the skin to provide pain relief in some chronic pain patients.

• Nerve blocks and regional anesthesia.