Pain management is an approach to care that focuses on providing relief from pain and improving your quality of life. Pain management doctors are specially trained physicians with experience diagnosing and treating pain. They understand the complexities of chronic and acute aches and use various methods to address them.
Let’s talk about the different types of treatments they may prescribe to help manage your pain and where you can go for effective pain management in Melbourne, FL.
1. Medications
These can include prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and even natural supplements. Your doctor may recommend one or a combination of these to help reduce pain and discomfort.
Taking your medications as prescribed by your pain management specialist is crucial. Doing so will help you heal safely.
Taking medications below or over the recommended dosage can cause serious health issues.
Additionally, make sure to tell your doctor about other drugs you’re taking, as some may negatively interact with each other.
2. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is one of the most common treatments for pain management. It involves stretches and exercises that strengthen muscles, joints, and tendons to reduce inflammation and improve your range of motion.
Regular physical therapy sessions with a trained professional will ensure you get the best results from your treatment plan. Your appointments may also include the following:
Manual Manipulation
Your provider may use their hands to manipulate and massage your muscles, joints, and tendons to help reduce pain.
Heat and Cold Therapy
Alternating heat and cold treatments can help reduce inflammation, promote healing, and relax cramped muscles.
Ultrasound
Sound waves are used to generate heat in the affected area, which helps reduce swelling and pain.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
A low-voltage electric current is used to stimulate nerves and muscles, which can help reduce pain.
3. Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA)
RFA is a minimally invasive procedure where heat is used to destroy nerve endings that are causing pain. This process helps reduce or eliminate pain, depending on the severity of your condition.
This procedure is typically performed using a local anesthetic and doesn’t require any major incisions. It’s relatively quick, with most sessions taking between 30 minutes and two hours.
4. Injections
Injections are another common treatment option that pain management doctors prescribe. They use injections to deliver medication directly into the affected areas, which can be used in acute and chronic cases.
Injections are typically given using local anesthesia, so they’re relatively painless. Depending on your condition, you may need one shot or regular injections over a certain period.
The different types of injection you can benefit from include:
- Corticosteroid injections
- Hyaluronate injections
- Epidural steroid injections
- Facet joint injections
- Sacroiliac joint injections
5. Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks are another type of injection that can help reduce pain. They involve injecting a numbing agent directly into the affected nerve to block signals from reaching the brain. This process can help reduce pain.
Depending on your condition, you may need just one nerve block or a series of them over time.
6. Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP)
PRP is a relatively new treatment option for pain management. It involves taking a sample of your blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the plasma.
The platelets are then injected into the affected area, which helps promote healing and reduce inflammation. This can help relieve chronic pain and improve your range of motion.
Make sure to discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before opting for this treatment.
7. Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections help treat painful areas of muscle that may be causing referred pain in other body parts.
This type of injection involves injecting a numbing agent directly into the trigger point to relieve tension and reduce pain. This can help provide immediate relief, although you may need more than one treatment over time to get the best results.
Pain Management Doctors in Melbourne, FL
There’s no reason to bear your pain alone, especially when you can seek the aid of pain management doctors. They know what you’re going through and care for your well-being.
Are you looking for a pain management clinic near you that meets the qualifications mentioned in this article? Central Florida Spine & Pain in Melbourne, Florida, is more than willing to cater to your needs. We are a top-notch clinic with board-certified doctors and friendly staff.
You may call us at (321) 802-5021 if you have any inquiries. You can also request a consultation using our online appointment form. As always, we look forward to helping you manage your pain.
