Pain Management For Specific Body Parts

Pain is an important way for our body to communicate to us when something is wrong, however, it’s still a highly unpleasant experience. When you’re in pain, no doubt you’ll want to get rid of it immediately. There are many factors in managing pain, one of which is the affected body part.

Read on to find out some of the pain management tips for specific body parts.

Headache

When it comes to chronic headaches, the first step to managing it is learning the type of headache you get. Each type of headache has different pain management methods that are most effective. Here are the two most common types of headaches:

Migraine Headache

Migraines affect more women than men. Hormones can influence migraine headaches, which is why it often occurs with menstruation. It can also be recurring and severe, sometimes even happening for a patient’s entire life. Effective treatment for migraine headaches include:

• Hot or cold compress
• Massage
• Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin
• Prescription medications, such as triptans
• Preventive medications, such as metoprolol

Tension Headaches

The most common form of headache is a tension headache. It’s often caused by stress, nerve compression, hormonal fluctuations, and musculoskeletal problems. With this type of headache, the pain is located around the back of the head, temples, and forehead. Some of the treatment options include:

• Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin
• Prescription medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Biofeedback
• Massage therapy
• Acupuncture
• Lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet

Neck Pain

Possible causes for neck pain include injuries, joint or bone abnormalities, diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and lifestyle issues such as poor posture and stress. Some of the pain management treatments that are effective in reducing or eliminating neck pain are:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. These can help reduce inflammation and pain.
• Hot and cold therapy. Applying an ice pack for up to 20 minutes several times a day will reduce swelling, then switching to moist heat helps the neck heal.
• Proper diet and exercise. Eating healthy combats nutritional deficiencies that might be causing neck pain. Exercise, on the other hand, increases flexibility and range of motion.
• Physical therapy. A physical therapist can teach correct posture, alignment, and neck strengthening exercises.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Electrodes are placed on the skin near painful areas, delivering tiny electrical impulses that contribute to pain relief.
• Chiropractic care. Neck pain can be reduced through chiropractic neck adjustments, which loosen up the joints of the cervical vertebrae in the neck. As a result, it treats muscle spasms and pinched nerves, and improves function.

Shoulder Pain

As we get older, the soft tissues surrounding the shoulder start to degenerate. Thus, shoulder pain becomes more common, especially after age 60. Fortunately, most cases of shoulder pain aren’t serious and improve within a couple of weeks. However, if pain persists, there are some pain management options available, such as:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Hot and cold therapy
• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Prescription medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, and corticosteroids
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Physical therapy
• Slings and assistive devices

Low Back Pain

If you’re experiencing low back pain, it’s most likely due to aging, a sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, and stress. The most effective pain management methods for low back pain are:

• Stress management. Stress hormones can cause muscle tension, leading to pain. While stress isn’t unavoidable, cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation are excellent tools for managing stress.
• Physical therapy. A physical therapist can help with correcting your posture and improving strength and flexibility.
• Lifestyle adjustments. Proper posture, sleep, diet, and exercise are some of the key things you can do to help relieve pain. Cutting back on smoking also helps, since it delays healing and worsens pain.
• Injection-based treatments. This includes nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, nerve ablations, and other injection-based procedures.
• Alternative treatments. Acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, laser therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, and other nonsurgical spine treatments can also benefit you.
• Prescription medications help control back pain. However, they usually come with side effects and aren’t intended for prolonged use.

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain can develop in both men and women. It could stem from infections, abnormalities in the internal organs, or reproductive system problems. Treatment options include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Hormone treatments
• Antibiotics or antidepressants
• Physical therapy
• Neurostimulation (spinal cord stimulation)
• Trigger point injections
• If pain is caused by depression, sexual abuse, personality disorders, or other psychological issues, different types of psychotherapy, such as biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy, can help you cope with pain.

Pain Management In St. Charles County, MO

Pain has different causes, such as injuries and diseases. The most effective way of treating pain is by first identifying its underlying cause. If you suffer from chronic or acute pain and seek proper diagnosis and treatment, our pain management doctors at Advanced Bone & Joint can effectively treat your pain with our knowledge, skills, and state-of-the-art tools.

To schedule an appointment, call us at (636) 229-4222 or fill out our online request form. We look forward to relieving your pain!