Treating Chronic Pain Pain is associated with a wide range of conditions and diseases. Chronic pain is defined as a pain from an injury or illness that continues beyond the usual recovery period and is resistant to most medical treatments. It persists and can last weeks, months, and even years. Common causes of chronic pain include arthritis, fibromyalgia, serious infections, back injury, cancer or sport injuries. According to a report from Global Industry Analysts, Inc., approximately 34.5% of the global population suffers from neuropathic pain, with the incidence rate increasing with age. According to the report, though many new drugs are coming into the market, developers and manufacturers face challenges related to the safety and side effects of these drugs. Pain prevention and treatment are major concerns for all healthcare providers. Often, pain is undertreated due to poor assessment, inadequate caregiver education, or the fear patients will abuse their analgesic medications. With the increasing elderly population, the demand for better chronic and acute pain management therapies is on the rise. In professional multispecialty healthcare centers, pain specialists, neurologists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and clinical psychologists work as a team to diagnose the cause of pain and develop customized treatment plans for their patients. Diagnostic modalities used to determine the cause of pain include electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies, evoked potential (EP) studies imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neurological examinations, and Xray. A combination of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches is often the most successful way to manage chronic pain. Here are some alternative therapies available at reputable healthcare centers for the treatment of pain: •
Pain medications: Medications to manage pain include analgesics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, opioids, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.
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Spinal manipulation: This handson treatment can provide relief from lowback pain. Controlled force is applied to sections of the spine. Administered by licensed chiropractors and physical therapists, this technique is ideal for correcting misalignment of the spine or joints and restoring function.
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Physical therapy and exercise: By improving strength and mobility, physical therapy helps patients achieve optimal functional ability in the back, knee, shoulder, and other areas of the body. Regular exercise programs can slow bone loss and joint damage while reducing pain and improving mobility.
According to experts, people with chronic pain should be made to understand the causes of pain as well as what can be done to reverse the damage it has caused. Researchers expect advances in neuroscience will offer more and better options to treat pain in the future.
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