Chronic pain affects not only the person experiencing pain, but also their family and friends. Dealing with pain on a daily basis puts as much strain on your emotional and mental health as it does on you physical body.
There are quite a few options for effective pain management in Monroe NJ. This article will discuss modalities from least invasive to most invasive and their pros and cons.
Altered Focus & Disassociation
is a technique focusing your attention off of the pain and on to something else. Disassociation this chronic pain technique involves mentally separating the painful part of your body from the rest of your body. These two techniques share the same benefits and challenges.
Pros
- you can do it anywhere anytime anyplace
- low cost
Cons
- you have to be able to maintain focus in order for it to be effective
Hot and cold or Contrast Bathing
Alternating heat and cold through either ice and heat pads or water at hot and cold temperature is an effective treatment for swelling and pain
Pros
- it is most effective on low-grade pain and removing swelling
- easy to do anytime, anyplace
- low cost
Cons
- is less effective on chronic pain
Mindfulness or Meditation
Using the practice of mindfulness or meditation to take your thoughts away from the pain and practice one-pointed focus elsewhere helps diminish your reaction to the pain rather than the pain itself. The stress caused by being in chronic pain is diminished when you practice mindfulness.
Pros
- low cost
- can be practiced anytime, anyplace
Cons
- takes practice
Massage
Massage therapists can reduce pain- massage releases of serotonin, which is the body’s natural anti-pain chemical.
Pros
- many licensed RMTs available
- feels indulgent as well as healing
- moderate cost
- sometimes covered by health insurance
Cons
- in severe pain, some people are highly touch sensitive
Chiropractics
Chiropractors use spinal manipulation to properly align the body’s musculoskeletal structure with the goal of self-healing and ease of movement.
Pros
- easy to access with many practitioners
- well proven to reduce back pain
- moderate cost
Cons
- no scientific proof that it is effective on other pain types
Acupuncture
Acupuncturists insert hair-thin needles into the skin at specific points around the bodIt is thought to affect neurotransmitters thereby reducing the feeling of pain.
Pros
- non-invasive
- immediate
- moderate cost
Cons
- some people fear the needles
Aspirin
Recommended for minor aches pains cold headache and muscular ache
Pros
- available over the counter
- inexpensive
Cons
- contraindicated for asthma
- overuse can cause stomach bleeding
- not effective in high levels of pain
Acetaminophen
Recommended uses headache
Pros
- inexpensive
- available over the counter
Cons
- number one cause of liver failure in the United States
- acetaminophen is the leading cause of death from pharmaceuticals
- low-grade pain management only
NSAIDS
Pros
- great for joint and muscle pain at low to medium level
- available over the counter and by prescription
- creams and tablets available
Cons
- heart risk
- upset stomach
Celebrex
Recommended for osteoarthritis rheumatoid arthritis and short-term pain
Pros
- prescription drug easily available
Cons
- risk of heart problems
- stomach bleeding
- stroke
Opaites, oxycodone , morphine, fentanyl
Pros
- high levels of pain removal
- available by prescription
- multiple delivery options including tablet, injection, lollipop, IV delivery
Cons
- highly addictive
- not for long-term use
- in most cases used for very short-term or as a last resort
