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Physiotherapy

Pain Management

ED

What is Pain Management

Pain management is a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing, treating, and relieving pain—whether acute (short-term) or chronic (long-lasting). The goal is not just to reduce pain, but to improve a patient’s physical function, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. Pain can be caused by a wide variety of medical conditions, injuries, or surgical procedures, and managing it often involves a combination of medical treatments, physical therapies, psychological support, and lifestyle changes.

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Types of Pain

Understanding the type of pain is critical for selecting the right treatment:

Acute Pain - Short-term pain, typically due to injury, surgery, or illness. Often resolves with healing.

Chronic Pain - Lasts for weeks, months, or even years. Often associated with conditions like arthritis or nerve damage.

Neuropathic Pain - Caused by damage or dysfunction in the nervous system (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, sciatica).

Nociceptive Pain - Results from physical damage to tissues (e.g., cuts, broken bones, inflammation).

Referred Pain - Pain felt in a different area than the source (e.g., arm pain due to heart attack).

Psychogenic Pain - Influenced by psychological factors like stress, anxiety, or depression.

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Common Causes of Pain

  • Injuries (sprains, fractures)

  • Surgery (postoperative pain)

  • Chronic conditions (arthritis, fibromyalgia, cancer)

  • Nerve damage (neuropathy, shingles)

  • Muscle and joint disorders Infections and inflammation

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Treatment

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Pain management is personalized based on the type, severity, and cause of pain. It may include:

1. Medications

  • Analgesics (e.g., paracetamol, NSAIDs like ibuprofen)

  • Opioids (e.g., morphine, codeine—for severe pain, used with caution)

  • Antidepressants (for nerve pain and chronic pain syndromes)

  • Anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin, used for nerve-related pain)

  • Topical creams or patches (e.g., lidocaine, capsaicin)

 

2. Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

  • Exercise therapy to improve mobility and strengthen muscles

  • Manual therapy (e.g., massage, joint manipulation)

  • Stretching and posture correction

 

3. Interventional Procedures

  • Nerve blocks – Injection of anesthetic/steroids to block pain signals

  • Epidural injections – For back or nerve pain

  • Radiofrequency ablation – Destroys nerves that carry pain signals

  • Spinal cord stimulation – Electrical impulses interrupt pain signals

 

4. Psychological & Behavioral Therapies

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Teaches coping strategies and pain perception control

  • Biofeedback – Helps control body functions that reduce pain

  • Mindfulness & relaxation techniques – Reduce stress and improve coping​

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