To find the most effective pain management treatment for your individual needs, it is wise to apply the course of treatment directly to your symptoms and area of pain. If you've sustained an acute injury, such as a muscle strain, applying ice and resting the injured part will generally help until the injury heals, which is typically within a short period of time. If you're living with chronic pain from a debilitating illness or other long-term injury, applying effective pain management treatment could involve more complex measures. This might include various pain and anti-inflammatory medications, as well as physical therapy.
Physical therapy is generally indicated as a means of rehabilitating the patient in an effort to regain lost mobility and strength of a muscle group or body function. As a result of an injury, ongoing disease or natural progression of age, a loss of function can be experienced. Over-compensating by using various muscle groups can lead to strain or weakness of a particular area or body part. If inflammation or swelling is present, pain can be controlled by strengthening the selected injury site.
Choosing the best pain management treatment plan can often be a matter of combining prescription medications with exercises targeted to strengthen and increase flexibility. In many cases, the physician or physical therapist might recommend doing these exercises as part of a regimen to help support a healthy recovery plan. Under certain circumstances, your doctor might prescribe a course of treatment that includes body-strengthening classes as well.
Regardless of the methods you choose for pain management treatment, it's wise to ensure you will be able to schedule a time to incorporate the program into a regular routine. Finding a way to consistently adhere to the routine can be essential. If recommended for a program by your physician, he might inform you that skipped sessions could impede your success.
Different types of pain respond best to different treatments, and because of this, you might want to experiment with alternate methods. There are many individuals who find an effective way of controlling pain through certain mind-body techniques. Meditation and yoga could be beneficial in pain management treatment, as these activities might help you focus. Relaxation techniques which focus on breathing and other forms of mental control could also be helpful.
Before beginning a course of home therapy, exercises or treatment techniques, it is wise to consult with a physician. The doctor will be able to inform you about medications and potential side effects. Most likely, your doctor will have your medical history as well and be able to implement an effective strategy for controlling pain.