Chronic Pain Management Techniques

Chronic pain has a debilitating effect on a patient’s life affecting their social, personal, and professional performance in many ways. Living with chronic pain is often excruciating and drives many people to seek extreme ways to alleviate their pain. That is why chronic pain management techniques are now used to efficiently relieve pain for those patients who suffer from long lasting pain. Here are some of the most common chronic pain management techniques:

• Spinal Decompression Therapy is a form of pain management that entails the use of decompression devices to gently stretch the spine in the affected areas. Spinal decompression has a good reputation as a pain management technique and treatment given its positive effects in restoring function and range of motion of the affected areas. This type of chronic pain management is used for patients suffering from degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, worn spinal joints, radiculopathy, sciatica, and other conditions that result in chronic back and neck pain.
• The Graston technique employs the use of stainless steel instruments that apply controlled pressure on the affected areas, reducing inflammation, breaking down scar tissue and eventually relieving pain. The patient regains range of motion and function. The Graston Technique is considered an effective chronic pain management technique for neck pain, fibromyalgia, golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, knee pain, heel or foot pain, shoulder pain, post-surgical scarring, lower leg pain, Achilles tendinosis and tendinitis.
• Low-level Laser Therapy is a chronic pain management technique used to promote soft tissue healing and therefore relieve chronic, as well as acute pain. Low-level laser therapy is the application of red and near infrared light over the affected tissue. The results are improved blood flow and also anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-edematous effects. This therapy is beneficial for chronic and acute inflammation, spinal pain, tendonitis, arthritis, sprain or strain injuries, and also shoulder pain, headaches, sciatica, knee pain, neck pain, and lower back pain.
• Massage Therapy is a non invasive chronic pain management technique designed to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Through the use of manual techniques, massage therapy aims to rehabilitate, maintain, and improve physical function.Massage therapy is successfully employed to relieve pain resulting from muscular overuse, chronic pain syndromes, and stress. It is indicated for headaches, low back pain, neck pain, postural issues, repetitive stress injuries, shoulder pain, sports injuries, and more.
• Acupuncture is recognized as the oldest healing technique in the world. Today, it is considered an effective chronic pain management technique for arthritis, hand and foot pain, headaches, knee pain, neck and back pain, numbness and tingling, tennis elbow, sciatica, sports injuries, repetitive stress injuries, and more. The principle behind acupuncture is to restore and maintain health by stimulating anatomical points on the body. Stimulation is achieved by penetrating the skin using metallic, thin and solid needles, which can be manipulated by the hands or electronic stimulation.

These are just some of the most common and effective chronic pain managementtechniques. Depending on the cause of pain, its localization, and also its interference with other conditions and overall health, chronic pain can be managed in different ways. Only your healthcare provider can determine the right pain management techniques for your needs.