Medical Pain Management in Steubenville, OH
Depending on the type of pain you are experiencing and its cause, Dr. Luxmi Gahlot will create a pain management treatment plan that may include medication or other therapies. At Premier Pain and Anesthesia, helping patients control their pain symptoms is a very individualized experience. Just as no two patients are alike, no two treatment plans are alike.
The most common pain-relieving medications used to help patients manage their pain include:
Non-Narcotic Meds
In most cases, an interventional pain management approach may be paired with non-narcotic pain medication. Or, this type of medication may be used alone as a first-line treatment approach to help alleviate mild to moderate pain.
Non-narcotic pain medication includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, which work by blocking pain at the site of injury. Cox-2 inhibitors, in particular, are a type of NSAID that targets the enzyme that causes pain and inflammation.
Non-narcotics also include certain pain relievers like acetaminophen, which blocks pain receptors in the brain. These drugs are available in over-the-counter and prescription strengths.
In some cases, medications other than painkillers may be used to help manage a patient’s pain, including:
- Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Anti-seizure medications, which can be helpful for patients with nerve injuries
- Muscle relaxers are particularly helpful for neck pain or back pain due to conditions such as degenerative disc disease
- Sedatives can help treat anxiety, which can help lessen pain for some patients
Narcotic Pain Meds
Narcotic pain medication, also called opioid pain relievers, may be used to treat severe pain that has not responded to other medicines. Opioids block the sensation of pain by binding with certain receptors in the brain, which prevents pain signals from being identified as such by the brain. Because there are serious side effects associated with opioids, including habituation and dependence, these drugs are usually reserved for short-term use.
It is important to note that narcotic medications may not be the best choice for everyone. Its use and effectiveness may vary from patient to patient, based on a variety of factors. Depending on your diagnosis, Dr. Gahlot will determine what type of medication may be appropriate for your pain management needs.
Supplementary Therapies
Dr. Gahlot can provide referrals as necessary for other supplementary pain-management therapies, including:
Chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation to realign the vertebrae in the spine, which can relieve pain symptoms, restore function, and help the body heal itself.
Mental health therapies can complement a pain management treatment plan by helping to reduce a patient’s anxiety or depression, which may be exacerbating pain symptoms. This may include talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and other approaches. CBT in particular may help a person learn how they can affect the intensity of pain they feel.
Massage therapy is particularly helpful to relax tight muscles, alleviate muscle strain, stimulate blood flow (which circulates oxygen and nutrients throughout the body to boost the body’s natural healing process), and can help increase flexibility.
Physical therapy (PT) is often a necessary component of rehabilitation after an injury or surgery. The PT regimen you require will depend on the nature of your injury or disorder. For example, strength-training exercises can build up the muscles surrounding an injury to more easily allow movement without pain. Other PT exercises can increase range of motion and improve blood flow to help lessen many types of pain.
There are many ways to treat and manage pain. Find out if you require medical pain management to get your symptoms under control. Call Premier Pain and Anesthesia in Steubenville, Ohio, at (740) 792-4110 or request your appointment now.