Are you a practicing healthcare professional? It’s a noble calling, with vulnerable people entrusting you with their care as they need to mend, heal, and recover from various ailments. The pay is also decent, as healthcare professionals who have completed online FNP programs and other relevant qualifications earn a decent salary. You also get to be proud of your work and happily share at social events that you’re a nurse or a doctor. It’s a bit different from being a used car salesperson or a door-to-door hawker, that’s for sure. 

Practicing healthcare means learning about different ways to manage health conditions, such as chronic pain. It is estimated that over 20% of US citizens suffer from chronic pain, and this debilitating condition can have a profound impact on people’s well-being and sense of self-worth and esteem. So, how exactly does chronic pain management work in practice? This helpful article will share how, so continue reading to learn more.

What is Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is any pain condition that lasts for at least several months. Many experts define it as pain lasting at least three to six months or longer. It can range from a dull ache to severe enough to be debilitating and hamper daily life. People with chronic pain often spend more money on healthcare and may have a lower quality of life while the pain persists. Pain management doctors will often work with people with chronic pain to address their symptoms. These specialists can help manage a person’s treatment and recommend additional therapies to help them find relief from their pain.

What Professions Treat Chronic Pain

In cases, treating chronic pain in patients requires a multidisciplinary approach to care for individuals. A team of doctors and other healthcare professionals may include:

• Pain management physicians
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Other specialists who focus on specific conditions
• Nurses manage people in the hospital.

How to Treat Chronic Pain

Now, we’re going to begin to explore chronic pain management in practice and how doctors can treat this condition in their patients.

Different Types of Treatment Approaches

Pain management specialists often form part of an interdisciplinary team, as we’ve mentioned above. Different pain management professionals on a treating team will provide different therapeutic methods to help patients manage their pain. 

A person with chronic or other types of ongoing pain may be recommended one or more of the following treatments.

Medical or Medication Management

Medical management for chronic pain can include a wide variety of approaches based on a person’s preferences, the treating doctor’s expertise, and other considerations, like the location of the pain and any underlying conditions. Medical management often includes a pain management specialist doctor, who may suggest prescription medications or injections. 

Prescription medications may include:

• Steroids
• Opioids
• Antidepressants
• Other pain medications.

Injections may include steroids at the site of the pain for relief. 

Pain management specialists are typically very knowledgeable about the use of opioids. These strong pain medications can have many side effects and be addictive, leading to misuse. For this reason, a person should follow a pain management doctor’s advice on how much and when to take these potent medications. In  cases, they are only used short term, and the doctor will refer to other types of therapies, which we’ll detail below. Some doctors will avoid opioids altogether. 

Antidepressants can be used off-label or not for their intended primary use, as there is evidence to suggest that some antidepressants can act as a preventative for certain types of pain, such as tension headaches or migraines. 

Behavioral Therapy Treatment

Behavior therapy may help with pain management for patients with ongoing, long-term chronic pain. A doctor may suggest this in conjunction with pain medication and other simultaneous therapies to help relieve pain or make living with it possible. 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the common therapy or psychological treatment for chronic pain. It looks at helping a patient understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, or emotions, and associated behaviors. CBT for pain can assist a person in considering a problem-solving, active solution to facing the challenges associated with experiencing chronic pain. A qualified psychologist can offer CBT and other therapies. 

Physical Therapy 

A physical therapist or physiotherapist will work with a patient experiencing chronic pain for various reasons. Physical therapy can provide effective, practical, and long-term chronic pain management. Physical therapy can help improve the patient’s strength, mobility, and flexibility which may help them with pain relief. When done effectively, it can assist someone to avoid taking excessive opioid pain medication or further complications that require surgery to remedy. 

Advice to Give to Patients

In addition to the treatments above for chronic pain, treating professionals can give the following advice to patients to assist them in managing their pain. Pain treatment is part of the doctor’s responsibility and part of the patient’s. Give the following tips to a patient to help improve their quality of life. 

Tell them to stay active, as lying down all day will not improve anything. It is essential to carry on with life despite the pain instead of letting it control your life. That said, it’s essential to understand your limits as well and not push yourself in a way that will make the pain worse. For instance, people with chronic back pain should avoid heavy lifting or sitting down for too long. 

Tell the patient to stay healthy with low-impact exercises such as gentle stretching, slow yoga, walking, and swimming – all of these are excellent for pain management. Advise them to make and maintain social connections, too. Research demonstrates that people with greater social support are more resilient and experience less depression and anxiety in general, and this is the same for chronic pain sufferers. Calling a friend or heading out for a social activity can improve your quality of life. 

Distraction is also an excellent strategy to use during a flare-up. Do something to take your mind off the pain, such as watching a film or TV show, engaging in a hobby, or visiting a landmark or gallery. 

A Pain Management Summary

This informative article has shared a comprehensive guide to chronic pain management in practice, that treating professionals can follow to use with their patients. Effective pain management uses a mix of medical, behavioral, psychological, and physical therapies, and there are also several vital strategies a patient can follow to help them manage their chronic pain and live a healthy and fulfilling life. 

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, nor does it replace professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.

Published by: Nelly Chavez