What are the Types of Pain Management?

If you are experiencing pain in your neck, back, or joints, and you want to avoid surgery, you may benefit from pain management therapy. Managing pain can be done via medication, physical therapy, and injections. The type of pain management technique your doctor recommends is based on the underlying cause of your pain, and they will try to treat pain right at the source.

Pain management therapy can help to relieve pain, improve quality of life, and allow patients to better participate in their own care. Additionally, it can help to reduce the need for medications and other treatments, as well as the side effects associated with them.

Let us talk about the different types of pain management techniques doctors use that can provide lasting relief from pain symptoms.

Steroid Injections

Steroid injections are a type of medication that can be used to help manage pain. They work by reducing inflammation and swelling in the area where they are injected. This can help decrease pain and improve the range of motion.

Examples of steroid injections include:

• Epidural steroid injections are injected in the epidural space, which is the area between the vertebral canal and spinal cord, to relieve pain in the neck and back.
• Facet joint injections are injected into facet joints, which are the joints at the top and bottom of each vertebra, and can relieve pain from arthritis and joint degeneration.
• Peripheral joint injections are injected into the space around the joint, to ease joint pain, whether it’s in the shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, and knee.
• Sacroiliac joint injections are injected into the sacroiliac joint, which is the area at the base of the spine where the hip bones meet, to relieve pain in the lower back and buttocks.

Nerve Blocks

Nerve blocks are a type of regional anesthesia that can be used to provide pain relief in a specific area of the body. They work by temporarily numbing the nerves that send pain signals to the brain. Nerve blocks can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In orthopedics, nerve blocks are commonly used to treat pain associated with conditions such as neck and back pain, arm and leg pain, and buttock pain. They are also used to manage post-operative pain.

Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections are a type of treatment that can be used to relieve pain in the muscles. A trigger point is a tight, tender spot in a strained muscle that can cause pain and stiffness. The injection helps to relax and loosen up the muscle for relief. Trigger point injections are used in the treatment of tension-type headaches, as well as pain in the shoulders, neck, and back.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a pain management therapy that sends electrical impulses to the spinal cord to relieve pain in the back. The electrical impulses are delivered through a small wire implanted under the skin.

Pain Management Therapy in St. Peters, O’Fallon, & Wentzville, Missouri

There are now many ways to treat pain at the source without resorting to surgery. If you want to know more about what types of pain management are available for you, consult our pain management doctor, Dr. Zachary P. Fallon, at Advanced Bone & Joint. Our practice is focused on the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, or those affecting the bones, joints, and soft tissues. Our doctors stay current on the latest technologies in pain management.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fallon, call our office today at (636) 229-4222 or use our convenient online appointment request form.