Pain Management

The Physical Effects of Pain

Both chronic and acute forms of pain can be debilitating. When pain becomes severe, several things take place within the body. They can include:

• A spike in blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Inflammation
• A rise in temperature, either at the site of the pain or throughout the body
• Feelings of frustration

Addressing pain quickly and efficiently is important. To effectively manage pain, the patient should rate its severity and take necessary measures to reduce the discomfort while looking for the cause. If the cause is known, it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible to prevent it from getting worse.

Managing Pain Naturally

There are several different methods of pain management that are natural and do not require the use of strong medications. Massage therapy, physical therapy and chiropractic care help the body begin to heal on its own. Massage works by manipulating the soft tissues of the body. Physical therapy helps to strengthen and tone muscle groups and chiropractic care helps align the body and alleviate nerve pain. With each treatment, the body is able to move more freely and will begin to function more efficiently as healing takes place.

Natural forms of pain management eliminate unwanted side effects that are often associated with strong pain killers and invasive medical procedures. Taking steps to allow the body to heal naturally allows for the cause of the pain to be addressed, instead of just masking the symptoms. Alternative therapies are safe and effective when used to control chronic pain. When used in conjunction with conventional treatment plans, the body can begin to heal faster, improving a person’s outlook as well as their general health.

Integrative Therapies for Effective Pain Management

While natural remedies work well for chronic pain, the causes of acute pain may require conventional medical care. Appendicitis, broken bones, gall bladder pain and damage to the spine or nerves may require surgery or other invasive measures. It is important to realize that both alternative and conventional therapies can both be used to enhance a person’s pain management program. Many doctors are realizing the benefits that chiropractic care and massage therapy offer to patients who complain of both chronic and acute pain.

The level of pain and its cause are the two determining factors for which form of pain management should be used. For individuals who must go through a conventional medical procedure, alternative options are available to help alleviate discomfort and control the effects of pain afterward. Both alternative therapies and conventional procedures can be used together to provide a more complete healing. It is basically the best of both worlds to produce the maximum result with the minimum of discomfort and side effects. There are times, however, when circumstances are so severe that alternative therapies may not be considered for pain management until the health crisis has passed.

Every person is different in how they respond to pain and to the methods used to manage and control the discomfort of the injury or illness. Being able to use both types of therapies allows the person to be more in control of their treatment plan. It also offers them safer options to choose from instead of always relying on strong medications that may be habit-forming or have uncomfortable side effects. Patients and doctors can work together to create pain management programs that are effective and safe while still providing long lasting, successful results.