A pain clinic may help if you are one of the 50-million Americans with chronic pain. Pain is considered chronic when it lasts for a long period of time. As a result, it is hard to have a normal life until the pain is controlled. Many primary care physicians recommend patients to Pain Doctors. These doctors practice pain management, finding a treatment that helps. A variety of tools are used including injections, exercise, physical therapy and oral medication.
Pain doctors in Jacksonville area have a variety of backgrounds. Indeed, they come from many fields including anesthesiology, neurology and psychiatry. The doctor assesses each patient and tailors a treatment plan. Many patients receive medication first because the goal is to be comfortable. When over-the-counter medicines fail, the patient may be given a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are often given in injections that reduce pain for several months. Additionally, corticosteroids are mixed with local anesthetics and injected into joints and muscles. These injections ease pain from inflammation and muscle spasms. Opioid pain medications are used for the most acute pain. And, antidepressants can help reduce certain types of pain. Antidepressants are designed to treat depression. However, the medicine has the ability to relax patients, and they focus less on pain.
Once a patient is feeling better, Pain Doctors in Jacksonville prescribe complementary therapy. For instance, exercise, physical therapy, and massage helps once they are able to move without pain. In addition, patients are offered psychological counseling. That is because many patients suffer from anxiety and other issues due to pain. Further, they are angry and sad because they cannot enjoy life as they would like. Chronic pain prevents many people from doing every day activities like driving or washing their hair.
Some doctors use electrical stimulation to manage pain. Most people are familiar with the TENS unit. This device is worn on the body and stimulates nerves through the skin. Many clinics use alternative therapies like acupuncture. In fact, acupuncture, combined with relaxation techniques, is a very effective tool. Patients may always have pain but it can be more manageable. As a result, they can start living the life they want to live.
