Chronic pain lasts longer than three months or continues past the normal healing time for an injury or illness. It may come from conditions such as arthritis, nerve damage, or past surgeries, and sometimes it has no clear cause. Because the causes vary, treatment plans often combine several approaches, and the right mix differs from person to person. Here are some things to know about chronic pain management techniques:
Prescription Medications
Prescription medications target different pain pathways, from inflammation and muscle spasms to changes in how the nervous system processes pain signals. Your provider selects a medication based on the underlying cause of your chronic pain. Common prescriptions include:
- NSAIDs: Prescription-strength ibuprofen or naproxen reduce inflammation and are commonly used for joint and muscle pain.
- Anticonvulsants: These are often prescribed for nerve pain, such as diabetic neuropathy or pain after shingles.
- Antidepressants: These affect how the nervous system processes pain signals; some providers use them for nerve pain and fibromyalgia.
- Muscle relaxants: These drugs may be used short-term for muscle spasms.
- Opioids: These medications bind to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to reduce pain signals and change how the body perceives pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy focuses on movement, and it should help you return to activities that pain has made difficult, such as walking. A physical therapist evaluates your strength, flexibility, posture, and range of motion, then builds a program around the findings. Sessions often include:
- Exercises to strengthen muscles that support painful joints or the spine
- Stretching to improve flexibility
- Manual therapy, such as joint mobilization or soft tissue massage
- Heat, ice, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
- Training on posture and body mechanics for daily tasks
Many therapists assign exercises to do between appointments, and steady practice at home makes up a large part of the process. Progress is usually gradual, with mild soreness common after early sessions. If an exercise causes sharp or worsening pain, tell your therapist so they can modify it.
Interventional Options
When medications and physical therapy do not provide enough relief, a pain specialist may discuss interventional procedures. These minimally invasive treatments target the source of pain more directly. Epidural steroid injections are delivered into the space around the spinal nerves to reduce inflammation, while joint injections are placed near the knee, hip, or shoulder. Nerve blocks involve injecting a numbing medication near specific nerves to interrupt pain signals. With radiofrequency ablation, heat from radio waves disrupts nerves that transmit pain.
Some people notice relief within days after treatment, while others feel little change. The effects of many injections wear off after weeks or months. Each procedure carries risks, including infection, bleeding, and nerve irritation. Ask your specialist how often a procedure may be repeated and what recovery involves.
Visit a Chronic Pain Specialist
A chronic pain specialist is trained to diagnose and treat long-term pain. At your first visit, expect a review of your medical history, a physical exam, and possibly imaging or nerve tests. This lets your specialist build a plan that addresses the root cause of your pain. It may combine medication, therapy, and procedures. Schedule a consultation with a chronic pain specialist today.
