5-Different Types of Pain Medications

Chronic pain treatments are diverse and as varied as the causes themselves. There are several methods, ranging from acupuncture to mind/body practices to prescription and over-the-counter medications.

On the other hand, no single method of managing chronic pain can ensure total pain relief. It is possible to find relief by combining several forms of treatment.

Moreover, Pain medicines can effectively manage chronic and other types of pain. Powerful drugs require careful use, starting with the safest, lowest doses and gradually increasing the dosage as needed.

Be cautious of potential side effects of pain medicines. Also, follow the instructions provided by your doctor or label strictly.

What is pain management?

Everyone feels pain from time to time. The most prevalent sign of any of the dozens of illnesses, injuries, disorders, and conditions you may encounter in your lifetime is pain.

It may also come from medical interventions for illnesses and ailments. Acute pain is characterized by brief duration and resolution upon healing.

Alternatively, persistent pain may persist for several months or years.

Pain management specialists help manage pain through various methods, such as medications, procedures, exercises, and therapy. Your healthcare physician may suggest a single method or a mix of many. You can receive treatment at a pain clinic that provides pain management services.

What Are the Pain Management Treatments?

Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injection treats muscle pain in the arms, legs, lower back, and neck. It involves injecting anesthetics, sometimes steroids, into trigger points, making them inactive and alleviating pain.

This procedure has been used for fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and myofascial pain syndrome.

However, Onabotulinumtoxina (Botox) is another treatment that involves multiple injections every 12 weeks, potentially reducing pain for up to three months.

TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)

TENS therapy is a pain management technique that involves electrical stimulation. Electrodes are applied to the skin close to the pain source to supply low-voltage electrical current during the treatment.

In this way, the electrodes’ electricity stimulates the nearby nerves, which in turn causes the brain to “scramble” regular pain messages.

Moreover, TENS is a painless treatment that can be useful in hiding unpleasant conditions like diabetic neuropathy.

According to the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), TENS is not an approved treatment for constant low back pain.

Surgical Implants

Surgical implants may be used to control pain when traditional treatments fail. There are two main types: Intrathecal Drug Delivery and Spinal Cord Stimulation implants. Intrathecal drug delivery uses a pump to deliver pain medicine directly to the spinal cord. It provides significant pain control with fewer side effects than pills.

On the other hand, Spinal Cord stimulation uses low-level electrical signals to block pain signals from reaching the brain, particularly for back and limb pain. There are partial and implanted units, with the latter being more commonly used. A remote control allows patients to adjust the intensity of the signals.

Corticosteroids

Prescription corticosteroids reduce swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions in inflammatory parts of the body. Arthritis, asthma, and allergies are all treatable with corticosteroids.

Moreover, they are typically administered as pills or injections designed to target a specific joint.

Examples: Methylprednisolone, prednisolone, and prednisone are the best examples of this medication.

Prescription corticosteroids are potent medications that can cause severe side effects, including:

• Weight gain and salt retention
• Weakened immune system
• Thinning of the bones and skin
• High sugar levels
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Mood changes
• Trouble sleeping

Furthermore, Corticosteroids are prescribed at the lowest dose and administered by injection to relieve pain.

Opioids

Opioids are narcotic pain medications used for acute pain, such as short-term post-surgery pain.

Examples include Codeine, Fentanyl, Hydrocodone-acetaminophen, Morphine, and Oxycodone. While effective for severe pain.

They cause side effects like drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, itching, breathing problems, and addiction.

Eufloria Dispensary

Eufloria dispensary consultants are trained to listen to the clients, identify particular ailments or experiences, and offer medicinal-focused recommendations to help. We believe that a satisfied client starts with an educated one and our goal is to treat people above and beyond selling products.