Chronic Pain Treatment

The primary aim of a chronic pain treatment program is to alleviate pain, enhancing the quality of life rather than completely eradicating the pain. It’s important to understand that chronic pain cannot be cured with medications like opioids. Opioids can be addictive and may increase your nervous system’s sensitivity to pain, reducing pain sensation while increasing pain sensitivity.

Pain management specialists recommend a comprehensive approach to manage chronic pain effectively:

1. Consult a Sleep Specialist: Quality sleep is crucial for managing pain.
2. Pain Processing Therapy: This form of cognitive behavioral therapy helps rewire the brain’s experience with pain.
3. Physical Therapy: Commit to regular physical therapy sessions.
4. Exercise and Treatment: Incorporate movement, heat, and cold treatments to address pain, strengthen muscles, ligaments, and joints, and improve mobility.
5. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Use a TENS device, which sends gentle electrical currents across the skin to scramble pain signals.
6. Exercise Specialist Consultation: Work with a specialist to develop a tailored exercise plan.
7. Mindfulness and Hypnosis: Practice mindfulness to observe and detach from the negative emotions associated with pain. Hypnosis can be an effective mindfulness activity.