Many people talk about the different types of pain that they feel in several parts of their bodies, but few are the ones that talk about remedies and pain relief. Pain is not just a simple feeling; it is rather a factor that impacts the person’s entire wellbeing, mental health, and overall life.

This feeling simply gives the person a signal that something is not right. If a certain organ is hurting the person, it is nearly impossible for them to just go on with their life as if they’re not feeling anything. And the best part of pain is when they finally feel this sensation of release, and the pain goes away. How?

Some sorts of pain go away on their own, without any intervention, others go away after taking a specific pain reliever, and others need further and more complex treatments to heal.

Types of Pain

Pain might be categorized into several types, and the exact number hasn’t been completely agreed upon, as the concept of pain differs between people depending on the intensity of the feeling and their ability to take it. However, we can consider two separate types of physical pain which are the nociceptive pain, and the neuropathic pain.

• Nociceptive Pain: This type of pain is mainly the type that affects the body tissues, muscles, bones, or even skin. As its name shows, this pain impacts the nociceptors, which are the receptors that tell the person to feel the pain that is caused by any sort of physical harm or damage.

  Falling while riding the bicycle, bumping your head into the edge of the cupboard, or getting hit by a football while playing a game, are all causes that might result in nociceptive pain. Depending on the intensity of the damage, this pain can be either acute or chronic.

• Neuropathic Pain: This type of pain is the type that affects the body’s nervous system, more specifically the nerves. This type is more chronic than it is acute, since people who describe it say that they constantly feel it, shooting up and down all their nerves. It mainly impacts the person’s sensations and produces extreme discomfort.

Differentiating between these two types of pain will be a great way to detect its specific source, and therefore give the treatment accordingly.

When to consult a healthcare provider?

Everyone feels pain. It is normal, and it is a part of the entire human process. It is why medications and medical professionals exist. Sometimes, pain situations can be described as “normal pain”, which can either simply pass, or require a medical intervention; it won’t be dangerous though.

Some examples of normal pain may be a headache, a strain, labor pain, a broken bone, a muscle injury, and more. However, when the sensation becomes excruciating and the person can no longer tolerate the intensity of the pain, they must pay a visit to their healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Also, if this pain is accompanied by other new symptoms, such as swelling, bleeding, and malformation, then there’s a definite cause for medical interference. Some examples of these situations include strokes, cancer, chronic migraines, herniated discs, and more.

So, here are a few tips to when consulting a doctor is a must:

• When the pain gets in the way of the person’s daily life and activities.

• When the pain persists for longer than usual, or longer than two to three days.

• When the pain ruins the person’s sleeping schedule.

• When physical pain causes emotional stress and anxiety.

• When home remedies and treatments no longer work.

What are the best pain relief methods?

Unless the pain is nearly deadly, it is definitely treatable based on its intensity and danger. Many people treat their pain in the most unusual methods, such as listening to music, or working out, while others rely on medical measures to ease their aches.

Therefore, pain relief methods are divided between medical methods and non-medical methods:

• Medical pain relief methods:

  • Over-the-counter medications: One of the most obvious and widely used pain treatment methods is the intake of OTC drugs. If someone has a headache, they look for the most reachable painkiller at home, and fifteen minutes later, the pain is gone. Mainly, OCTs are taken in the case of “normal pains”, as mentioned above. They treat muscle soreness, menstrual cramps, minor sprain injuries. The most known types of over-the-counter medications are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen, just to name a few. It is important to know that, while these medications are easily reachable and don’t usually require a medical prescription, the patient shouldn’t exceed the recommended doses mentioned on the packaging of the medication.

  • Prescription medications: These types of drugs cannot be bought without an approved medical prescription, as they shouldn’t be consumed by the patient without supervision. Many of these drugs are known to be addictive and might cause side effects, if not taken appropriately. They include corticosteroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and strong opioid drugs:

    • Corticosteroids: These medications are specifically prescribed to reduce inflammation, redness, swelling, or any bruising pains after a surgery. They can also be given to treat allergies. They should be given in very low doses, as their side effects are numerous and might affect the person’s mood, immune system, ability to sleep, and weight.

    • Antidepressants: These drugs aren’t only prescribed to treat depression, but also any chronic pain that the patient might be suffering from. They mainly act on neurotransmitters which send signals to the brain when pain is felt. They should never be taken without a prescription from the doctor, as they are highly addictive and have a variety of side effects such as hallucinations, drowsiness, dizziness, and fatigue.

    • Anticonvulsants: The doctor prescribes these medications to patients with a high risk of seizures; however, they are also very effective in the case of severe pain. They mainly act on the nerves, relieving their pain and sending signals of relief all over the human body.

    • Opioids: They are strong forms of drugs, which are mainly given in the case of acute pain. They are organically formed most of the time and are highly effective. Just like the other drugs, it may also cause the patient’s addiction, which is why it is advisable to take it within limits. It has numerous side effects such as difficulty breathing, nausea, constipation, and overdose.

  
  

  • Other medical treatments: Some people refer to specific lotions, creams, and patches, which are applicable directly on the location of the pain, therefore easing it and making it more bearable. These treatments are also doctor recommended, depending on the situation of each patient, and should be used with moderation. Also, one widely used pain reliever is cannabidiol. It has pain treating characteristics and potentially reduces inflammation.

• Non-medical pain relief methods:

  • Therapy: Many people would rather stay away from medical treatments and lean on other methods to treat their conditions. Physical therapy is one of these methods, which is proven to be highly effective. It is relaxing, it teaches the person how to stretch their muscles, and makes them more flexible, which fights away sources of pain. This type of therapy doesn’t apply to all sorts of pain, but it can be adopted either way.

  • Exercise: Some might find it weird, but exercising is a very important pain-relieving method for some people, especially for those who are always used to being active. Exercising relieves soreness in specific areas of the body, which gradually treats the painful spots. Also, women who experience severe pain while menstruating, are advised to work out on a daily basis in order to promote blood flow, which results in pain reduction.

  • Cold and hot pads: In many forms of pain, especially the pain caused by an injury, the patients are advised to use either cold packs or hot pads in order to reduce the severity of the ache.

  • Physiotherapy or massage: Some pain conditions require long sessions of physiotherapy or massages, in order to apply pressure on the specific painful areas and improve their sensation. However, it is extremely important that the therapist knows exactly the condition of the patient in order to provide the right massages. Otherwise, it might result in permanent damage.

  • Music: Many stories were told about patients in hospitals suffering from unbearable pain, who felt relief after listening to specific types of music or their favorite musical pieces. Studies have shown that music does have a healing effect and can temporarily keep the patient’s mind off of the sensation of pain.

Pain is a difficult human sensation, and it is the main reason why people decide to visit their healthcare providers. It is very important to get a doctor's opinion regarding any treatment or relief method.

They are the ones to determine the actual cause and will accordingly prescribe the adequate treatment method. One should always bear in mind that everything is fixable, and pain won’t last forever.

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If you or anyone you know is suffering from unbearable pain, call us today on (469) 562 4188 to book an appointment with our pain management specialists.