Does Pain Management Require Taking Pain Medication?
Lacey The quick answer is — No. You do not need to take pain medication if you see a pain management specialist. Pain can be debilitating for those who suffer from it. Whether acute or chronic, pain can keep you from living your life to the fullest. Thankfully, there are a variety of ways to manage pain and plenty of Pain management clinics in San Jose. Although, what does pain management actually mean for each individual? Does it mean you have to take medication, painkillers, injections, or something else? Let’s break down the different components of what it means to manage pain.
Pain Medication Therapy
One of the most common forms of pain management is taking medication. Depending on the kind and severity of your pain, there are different types of medications available to help alleviate it. This includes over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as well as prescription drugs like opioids or antidepressants. Each type of medication works differently but all aim to reduce your level of discomfort and allow you to live more comfortably. Some pain management clinics will use this as an option for treatment. For MASJ, we believe in a comprehensive approach to alleviating pain through muscle activation, research, and repetition.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is another popular form of pain management that is sometimes used in conjunction with medication. Physical therapy can include anything from exercise programs designed specifically for your needs to massage therapy, heat or cold treatments, ultrasound therapy, and even electrical stimulation. Not shock therapy – but small pulses to relax the muscles. The goal here is to strengthen muscles, improve your range of motion and reduce inflammation — all things that can help lessen the severity and duration of your pain.
Alternative Therapies
There are also a number of alternative therapies available for those looking for more natural forms of relief from their pain. These can include acupuncture, chiropractic care, yoga, meditation, and aromatherapy just to name a few. Many people find great comfort in these kinds of treatments since they offer a less invasive approach than some traditional methods like medication. As a pain management specialist, we see that using these treatments in combination with other therapies can be very effective.
Pain management is not just about taking medication – it’s an entire process that involves a variety of different techniques aimed at reducing the amount or intensity of your pain. The goal is so that you can live more comfortably and enjoy life again without fear or discomfort caused by chronic pain conditions. If you’re suffering from some sort of long-term discomfort or intermittent pains due to an injury or illness, give us a call to talk about treatments that would best suit you so that you can get back on track with living life as normally as possible!