Pain can stem for any area of the body and can rob you of your mobility, strength, mental health and fervor for life. Pain is categorized as either acute or chronic.
Acute pain comes on quickly (usually in response to a specific injury) and can be severe, but lasts a relatively short time and is often treatable. Chronic pain persists or progresses over a long time and is often resistant to medical treatments. Through evaluation and treatment, iTherapy can help minimize your pain and suffering giving you a chance to “get back to life”.
iTherapy does not provide prescription strength pain medications, but does offer a multidisciplinary approach to pain management which may involve working with a counselor, personal trainer and/or nutritionist. We promote emotional wellbeing, good nutrition, exercise and healthy living and encourage our patients to be proactive in their care so that we can help you overcome your pain.
Treatment
Treatment of chronic pain usually involves a combination of medicine and therapy. Different medicines help with different types of pain. Usually long-acting medicines are used for constant pain while short-acting medicines treat pain that comes and goes. Medicines that may be used for chronic pain include: pain relievers, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (Aleve, ibuprophen), antidepressants and anti-convulsants.
Therapies that can ease pain
- Physical therapy such as stretching and strengthening activities and low-impact exercise (walking, swimming or biking) can reduce the pain, but too much or no exercise can hurt chronic pain patients.
- Occupational therapy teaches you to do ordinary tasks differently so you won’t hurt yourself.
- Behavioral therapy can reduce pain and decrease stress by helping you relax using methods like meditation and yoga.
- Lifestyle changes such as getting regular sleep at night and not taking daytime naps should help.
- Smoking cessation also helps because the nicotine can make some medicines less effective. Smokers also tend to be more susceptible to pain.
Most pain treatments will not take away all your pain, but they should reduce how much pain you have and how often it occurs.
If you are in pain and need help, please contact one of the iTherapy counselors to discuss your concerns.
