Pain is one of the body’s ways to tell you that something is wrong. It can be sharp, achy, or throbbing and may come and go. With more than nine years of medical training, pain management specialists can help you control your pain via drugs, procedures, and physical therapy. We treat all types of pain, including acute and chronic.
Psychogenic Pain
Psychogenic pain is pain that doesn’t have a clear physical cause. In the past, it was referred to as ‘imaginary’ pain, but nowadays, it’s widely accepted that this kind of pain is very real. Psychotherapy is often the first line of treatment for this condition, and it can help uncover any unresolved psychological issues contributing to pain symptoms. Some antidepressants and non-narcotic painkillers may also be prescribed to ease discomfort.
Lifestyle changes and alternative or complementary therapies can also help to manage psychogenic pain. It includes mindfulness techniques, biofeedback therapy and exercise. Treatments from a pain clinic Jacksonville FL can help individuals become more aware of their responses to pain and learn how to self-regulate them.
Other modalities, such as acupuncture, can also benefit some individuals. These practices can help to reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality, which can be associated with psychogenic pain. They can also support mental wellness and increase self-control and confidence.
Acute Pain
Pain has the potential to lower your quality of life significantly. Various conditions, such as illness, surgery, or injury, can cause it. Sometimes the pain is temporary (acute); other times, it can persist for years. A clear and accurate description of your pain can help your healthcare professional diagnose your condition. Several systems of rating pain, such as numerical scales, are available.
Acute pain is typically short and usually disappears when the cause is resolved. It can be caused by illnesses or injuries such as a cut, broken bone, or surgery. It can also be a side effect of certain medications. Pain is often worsened by anxiety and fear. Improving physical fitness, eating healthy foods, and getting adequate rest can help manage pain. Seeking advice on new coping strategies and skills from a psychologist can also be helpful. Some people find relief through prescription medications.
Chronic Pain
Acute pain usually lasts briefly and goes away once the underlying cause ends or is fixed. On the other hand, chronic pain is persistent and can be brought on by various conditions, including illness, injury, or the environment. Pain management strategies for chronic pain are different than those for acute pain. A pain management strategy will be developed once your doctor evaluates your health.
They may recommend pain-relieving medications such as anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants and prescription opioids. It’s important to be honest with your healthcare provider about the types of pain you feel. Tell them when and where you’re experiencing pain, if it gets better or worse with certain activities, and how it feels. For example, you should indicate if it’s sharp or dull and whether it stays in one spot or moves around the body (radiates). The most common way to manage pain is through medication.
Neuropathic Pain
Pain from a bone, muscle or organ usually results from tissue damage. But with neuropathic pain, nerves send painful signals to the brain. An event or injury does not trigger it and often worsens over time. Neuropathic pain includes sensations like tingling, pins and needles, burning or electric shock-like pain. It may also cause other symptoms such as weakness, slowed reflexes and numbness.
The goal of managing neuropathic pain is to locate and cure the underlying illness or condition that is causing it. For example, diabetes patients with neuropathic pain can benefit from good glycaemic control. Other treatments include gabapentinoids, antidepressants, lignocaine patches and controlled-release opioids. Psychological factors, including anxiety and depression, should be considered from the start of treatment.