Common Pain Management Treatments and Procedures

October 14, 2019 • By Benjamin Wilson
The estimated reading time is 3 minutes

When a person is in pain, it is difficult for them to focus or think about anything else. Therefore, finding the services of pain management clinics, such as the American Interventional Pain Institute, is extremely essential for people suffering from chronic or acute pain. Pain management clinics are essentially health facilities that specialize in diagnosing and treating pain. Depending on the kind of pain being managed, there are a number of procedures and treatments that can be used. Some common pain management methods used in pain management clinics include:

Spinal Cord Stimulators

Spinal cord stimulation is one of the most common treatments used in managing chronic pain. In this procedure, a medical device is used to send signals to the patient's spinal cord. The signals prevent pain messages from being transmitted to the brain. Instead, the patient may experience tingling from electrical impulses. (1)

Epidural Steroid Injections

This is a highly effective, minimally invasive, and safe treatment used in treating chronic pain in the arms, legs, neck, and back. The treatment has been in use for over 60 years now. Depending on the area being treated, there are several types of epidural steroid injections. For instance, neck injections are known as cervical epidural injections, while middle back pain injections are known as thoracic epidural injections.

Nerve Blocks

Nerve blocks, also known as neural blockades, are excellent pain management procedures when it comes to managing or preventing different kinds of intractable pain. The procedure has to do with injecting medicines that aim at blocking pain from specific nerves. The procedure brings pain relief and not a total loss of feeling. (2)

Trigger Point Injections

The cause of a patient's spasms or muscle pain may be one of several trigger points. A pain management doctor may choose to inject the painful areas in order to relax the muscles. In addition to relieving the pain, relaxing the muscles can help to ease a patient's movements. Consequently, it becomes easier for patients to engage in physical exercise, which strengthens the muscles helping them to heal quickly.

Radiofrequency Ablations

Radiofrequency ablation is quite an effective procedure when it comes to treating or managing pain caused by spinal deterioration or injury. Spinal deterioration can result from conditions related to intervertebral and vertebrae discs, which then affect the nerve area. It has to do with the use of thermal energy to deaden small nerve endings. Arthritis of the facet joints in the back or neck is one of the most common issues treated by the procedure.

The Takeaway

Overall, it is apparent that the services of pain management clinics are essential when it comes to treating acute and even chronic pain. It is also clear that depending on the area being treated; there are several procedures and treatments that pain management physicians employ. Visit a pain institute facility today for more information about the type of pain they handle as well as the various treatments and procedures that they offer.

Benjamin Wilson

He is a fitness trainer and part-time blogger interested in nutrition and in leading a healthy lifestyle. He writes smart and inspirational articles on nutrition supported by scientific research and his own personal experience in the healthcare industry.
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