Sterling Ridge is the premiere
orthopaedics center in the woodlands!

 

Pain Management

Everyone experiences pain at one point or another. It often indicates that something could be wrong. All of us have experienced pain at some point of time in our lives. Pain is the most common reason people seek medical attention. About 80 % of doctor visits are primarily due to some pain problem. It is subjective and very complex.

Primary Goal of Treatment

The management of pain depends on the type and the severity of the pain. The management of pain can sometimes be very challenging, especially when dealing with persons who have cognitive impairment that affects their ability to understand and communicate. Effective pain relief should result in improved and effective functional activity.

How Is Pain Treated?

Depending upon its severity, pain may be treated in a number of ways. Symptomatic options for the treatment of pain may include one or more of the following:

• Drug treatments such as non-prescription medications like Aleve, Motrin,
  and Tylenol or stronger medications such as morphine, codeine, or anesthesia. Other drugs –
  like muscle relaxers and some antidepressants — are also used for pain.
• Nerve blocks (the blocking of a group of nerves with local anesthetics)
• Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, relaxation and biofeedback
• Electrical stimulation
• Physical therapy
• Surgery
• Psychological counseling
• Behavior modification
  Some pain medicines are more effective in fighting pain when they are combined with other methods of treatment. You may need to try various methods to maintain maximum pain relief.

Types of Diagnostics You May Encounter

• X-rays show bones and the space between the bones. Although X-rays are of limited value to muscle-related back pain cases, your physician may conduct X-rays to detect possible fractured vertebrae or narrowing of disc space
• MRI’s (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT scans provide images of soft tissues and nerves in the spine, including discs and joints. This is valuable information to your physician in determining the cause of your pain. These tests provide a medical photograph of your body and are painless.
• Pain-relieving injections can relieve back pain and joint pain and provide important information about your problem.