living well
Enhance Life with Pain Management

By Mary Beth King, Medica

What do headaches, backaches, heartburn and arthritis all have in common? The answer: pain.

Far from a rare sensation, pain is something that most of us experience every day. It can be sharp or dull, constant or intermittent, localized to one part of the body or a general ache that makes us hurt all over and, to greater or lesser degrees, interferes with our ability to enjoy life and time with loved ones such as the grandkids.

Although pain is never pleasant, it is not necessarily a bad thing. Pain can help us identify harmful situations and dangerous conditions. Burning pain tells you that you need to remove your hand from a hot surface, while chest pain may alert you to the fact that you’re having a heart attack.

If you suffer from chronic pain, however, finding a “pleasant” aspect to your discomfort is difficult. Chronic pain may be associated with a specific health concern, such as injury, infection, osteoporosis or cancer, or it may not have any identifiable source at all.

Whatever its origins, chronic pain is often life changing. It may limit your ability to perform simple tasks of daily living, affect your sleep, appetite and social interactions with friends and family and lead to depression, anxiety and stress.

Hope for chronic pain sufferers

Contrary to popular belief, chronic pain is not a natural part of growing older. Nor is it something you “just have to learn to live with.” Today, a number of treatment options, used individually or in combination, have proven highly effective in helping patients identify chronic pain, manage its symptoms and enjoy active lives.
Medications

In recent years, new kinds of pain relievers, antidepressants and other medications have become available. One kind of pain medication, opioids, can raise concerns because of the potential of addiction. However, these medications are an important tool for some people who suffer with chronic pain and are safe when used according to a doctor’s instructions.

Exercise
Physical activity is not appropriate for everyone with chronic pain. But if your pain is due to a condition such as arthritis or nerve damage, exercise may actually ease your symptoms, improve range of motion and muscle strength, and boost your mood. Before you begin a regular exercise program, talk to your doctor about activities that will be safe and effective for you.

Physical and occupational therapy
As part of a physical therapy program, certain kinds of strengthening and stretching exercises may reduce the physical sensations of pain. In addition, occupational therapy techniques can help you learn how to accomplish normal tasks in ways that are less painful.

Complementary medicine
A growing number of people are trying alternative therapies to help with chronic pain. These treatments include meditation, yoga, massage, acupuncture, relaxation and even music therapy. Your doctor can advise you on the likely effectiveness of these options for your situation.

Lifestyle and behavioral changes
Proper nutrition and adequate sleep can improve your overall health and reduce pain. Healthy lifestyle choices, such as quitting tobacco, can also have a significant impact on your health and pain management efforts.
Pain management usually will not eliminate pain completely. However, it can positively affect the severity or frequency of pain and help you learn to cope as pain occurs.

Keep in mind that pain is often a complex problem. Your care team may need time to determine the cause (or causes) of your pain and figure out the most effective management strategies. You may also want to check with your local hospital or clinic about support groups or other resources available for people with chronic pain.
Medication needs may change over time

What does your age have to do with your medication? Plenty! Changes that occur with age may affect the kinds and amounts of medications you need.

• Age-related changes can affect how a drug works in your body. Reduced liver function can cause medications to stay in your body longer, so you may not need as high a dose.
• Losing or gaining weight may require an adjustment in the dosage of your medication.
• You may develop sensitivity to medications you have taken for a long time.
• Medication interactions may become a concern as you take more drugs for various health problems.

If you have questions about your medication, ask the doctor who prescribed it to you. Always keep each of your doctors informed about all of the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies and dietary supplements.

return to top