Which Pain Management Procedures Actually Work?

If you’re reading this, chances are you or someone you know are one of the millions of people who suffer from chronic pain — that relentless, unwanted intruder that impacts every aspect of your life. While there is a wide variety of possible treatments, every patient experiences their pain differently, making it difficult to target the most effective therapy for their unique circumstances.

Which pain management procedures actually work? While you want to be pain free as soon as possible, treating chronic pain effectively takes time, as well as personalized investigation on the part of your healthcare provider to correctly identify the source of your pain. 

In this post, we’ll review the various types of treatments that are currently available and shed some light on the ones that have proven to work best to alleviate chronic pain.

Do You Have Chronic Pain?

We all get aches, pains, and discomfort from time to time. But when that pain just won’t go away — lasting at least three months or more — it’s considered to be chronic. If you’ve had an injury or illness that’s had time to heal but the hurt just won’t go away, it’s time to seek professional help in treating your chronic pain. 

Every patient’s condition, symptoms, and tolerance vary, and their pain can range from mild to excruciating, from episodic to continuous, or from merely inconvenient to utterly incapacitating. It can significantly affect a person’s physical and mental health, making it difficult — if not impossible — to perform daily tasks, and it can also cause mood changes, depression, and sleep disturbances. 

If any of this sounds like you, you may be experiencing chronic pain. You should seek treatment as soon as possible — but where should you start? 

Types of Pain Management Procedures

Reducing or eliminating chronic pain can be achieved through one or more of a variety of techniques. These methods range from simple exercises and medications to surgery, with numerous options in between. Each pain management procedure comes with its own set of pros and cons, depending on factors like the intensity or location of the pain, the patient’s overall health condition, and their personal preferences.

Here’s an overview of the types of pain management procedures most commonly used by medical professionals: 

Non-Invasive Pain Management Procedures

Non-invasive pain management procedures are those that do not involve surgical intervention or breaking the skin. These include:

• Physical therapy exercises designed to improve mobility and reduce pain
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy to address the mental and emotional needs
• Over-the-counter medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Many patients find significant relief through these common methods of treatment, and these are often the first step in providing relief. But if the chronic pain persists, it may be time to take it a step further.

Alternative Pain Management Procedures

Some patients find that alternative therapies — such as hot needling, massage, and meditation — are viable options for reducing their chronic pain. These methods can help reduce the intensity of the pain, improve mobility over time, and enhance the patient’s overall well-being.

Minimally Invasive Pain Management Procedures

Minimally invasive pain management procedures involve the insertion of instruments or devices into the body. The most prevalent types of these treatments include: 

• Nerve blocks, where medication is injected near or directly onto the nerve causing pain
• Trigger point injections, which deliver an anesthetic into a tender knot in the muscles
• Radiofrequency ablations, which uses radio waves to generate heat and destroy targeted tissue

Such procedures have been l

ife-changing for many chronic pain sufferers, offering varying levels of relief quickly (anywhere from a few hours to a few days after the treatment) and for longer periods.

Choosing the Right Pain Management Procedure

Choosing the most effective pain management procedure is not a one-size-fits-all situation. It depends on factors such as your specific pain condition, intensity, location of the pain, your overall health status, your tolerance for pain and the therapy, and your personal preferences. 

It’s best for each patient to consult first with their healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Be open and detailed about your symptoms to help your doctor recommend the most suitable treatment option for you. If you’ve tried certain treatments that just don’t seem to be working, it may be time to consult with a pain management specialist like HPM.

Overcome Chronic Pain With HPM

At HPM, our goal is to provide faster pain relief that’s closer to home — a factor that’s important for people living in remote or rural areas. Our caring team of pain management specialists takes the time to identify the true source of each patient’s pain and create a personalized treatment plan. We offer a variety of proven procedures that provide most patients with some measure of relief. 
Contact us today to find a location near you and start your journey back towards a life of doing the things you love most.