The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that chronic pain affects more than 116 million Americans or about 40% of the population. Figures also show rising figures in Houston, Texas. Pain management is a medical specialty that focuses on alleviating pain in patients with various conditions such as cancer, arthritis, and fibromyalgia by using medication and other treatments to manage symptoms by preventing chronic pain conditions and relapses from acute ones. Book an appointment with Dr. Hui Kang in Houston, TX. Let’s look at how a pain management specialist can help.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
A spinal cord stimulator implanted inside a patient sends electrical signals to the spinal cord to overpower the pain from that patient’s chronic condition. This is similar to how TENS units work on outside skin surfaces but with electrodes attached directly to the spine. They are more effective at altering nerve signals and providing relief.
Back Pain Management
Back pain management involves several treatments used to help alleviate back pain symptoms. The spine specialist may use injections or local anesthesia and physical therapy to treat the patient’s chronic back pain. Injections are given at specific locations on the spine, which can minimize inflammation and reduce nerve sensitivity to relieve muscle spasms.
Neck Pain Treatment
The neck pain treatment options available include medication, manual area manipulation, anesthetics, and physical therapy. A patient may be prescribed medicines taken orally or delivered through a patch to help reduce inflammation found in the spine’s joints. If you have chronic neck pain, ask your doctor what management option is best for your condition.
Fibromyalgia Treatment
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder involving extreme fatigue, body pain, and other severe symptoms. The most common approach to relieving fibromyalgia pain and other symptoms is to prescribe medications that affect the brain and central nervous system’s perception of pain, such as antidepressant drugs and Lyrica (pregabalin). Lyrica is the only medication approved by the FDA to treat fibromyalgia.
Neuropathic Pain Treatment
Neuropathic pain is usually caused by injury or infection of nerves, but it can also be a side effect of other conditions such as diabetes. This type of nerve pain has many symptoms similar to those of different kinds of chronic pain. A pain management specialist can prescribe medications such as Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Neurontin (gabapentin).
Osteoarthritis ManagementIf you have osteoarthritis, your doctor may prescribe medications that act on chemicals in the body that cause pain and swelling. These inflammation-reducing drugs include NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Celebrex (celecoxib), Mobic (meloxicam), and Voltaren (diclofenac).
Migraine Treatment
A migraine headache disorder is characterized by frequent, severe, one-sided, and throbbing headaches. Pain management specialists can prescribe medications to treat this condition, including Elavil (amitriptyline) and Corgard (nadolol). Several other types of medication can help decrease the frequency of migraines.
Post Laminectomy Syndrome Remedy
Surgery is typically the best solution for severe back pain. Laminectomy surgery aims to relieve pressure on the nerves by removing part of a vertebra in the lower spine called the lamina. This will increase the space between vertebrae, allowing room for muscle fibers and nerves to move around without being pinched or pressed upon.
Pain management specialists can provide relief for chronic pain conditions. They may prescribe medications that act on chemicals in the body, reduce inflammation and swelling, or help decrease the frequency of migraines. If you have a back condition such as spinal cord stimulation or osteoarthritis, these doctors will be able to offer treatments specific to your needs.