Doctors once primarily treated chronic pain primarily with passive treatments like medications.
Active treatments can often reduce pain and improve overall quality of life.
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What Is Pain Management?
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Pain managementis a branch of medicine focused on relieving severe or chronic pain.
Active treatments are especially important for regaining the ability to function at home and at work.
During these treatments, you are a passive recipient and do not actively work towards your own recovery.
Active treatments include:
Benefits of Active vs.
Choosing an active or passive treatment is rarely an either-or decision.
Active and passive treatments typically work best in combination.
Such feelings can increase stress and muscle tension, worsen pain, and further impair day-to-day functioning.
Pain specialists should be medical doctors with special training in pain management.
You may wish to ask your primary care doctor and friends for recommendations.
Cost is a real consideration.
Some pain management therapies are very expensive.
It’s critical to be upfront and honest and to advocate for yourself and your needs.
In the midst of such feelings, finding the motivation for an active treatment program can be challenging.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most powerful pain relievers are prescription opioid-based medications (also called narcotics).
Your pain management team will work with you to determine the best mix of passive and active therapies.
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