How do you manage severe pain?

It’s fair to say no one wants to live with severe pain. Anyone who has lived with pain can attest to how limiting it is and the negative effect it has on the activities you participate in and your outlook on life.

Millions of people seek medical attention every year for some type of pain issue. A lot of pain issues are treatable and most people can recover and live a fairly pain-free life. However, in some cases, severe pain is caused by an underlying issue that cannot be cured. In such cases, doctors can help you manage your pain symptoms through effective treatments designed to limit pain.

A common misconception is that over-the-counter painkillers or prescription painkillers are the only solutions to the pain. This is not true! There are plenty of treatments for severe pain that can help you manage it effectively.

The first step in finding relief from severe pain is getting an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your pain. Once a qualified doctor gives you a diagnosis, you can explore treatment options specific to your needs. This will increase the likelihood of you finding relief.

There are a variety of ways severe pain can be managed. Let’s take a look at some of them below.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Typically used to target pain in the back, epidural steroid injections reduce inflammation in the spine area. The injection is directed towards the epidural space where nerve roots causing the pain are located. Thoracic epidural injections target the middle back, whereas lumbar epidural injections target the lower back. An accurate diagnosis will help your doctor determine which injection is best suited for you.

Facet Joint Injections

These anesthetic injections are targeted at the facet joints along the back of your spine. The injection reduces inflammation in the facet joints, subsequently reducing pain. This is typically recommended for patients who suffer from arthritis pain in the back.

Nerve Blocks

Doctors deliver nerve block medication to the nerves that are the source of pain and effectively block the pain signals they send. This provides immediate pain relief to patients. Nerve blocks can help with severe pain in a variety of parts of the body, including the neck, back, shoulders, elbows, face, and more.

Sacroiliac Joint Injections

An anesthetic or steroid is injected into the sacroiliac joint at the end of the spine to effectively target pain in the hips, thigh, groin, and buttocks. The relief is immediate and is usually used in conjunction with other pain management treatment methods.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation involves the implantation of wire under the skin connected to a power source. The power source transmits low-level electrical impulses to the spinal cord. In effect, pain signals being sent to the spine are scattered and don’t reach the brain. This treatment is typically recommended to patients who suffer from severe lower back pain.

Severe Pain Treatment in Missouri

If you want immediate relief from severe pain, please visit the Advanced Bone & Joint Clinic in St. Peters and O’Fallon, Missouri. Our gentle and compassionate pain management doctors have the skills, experience, and advanced tools to relieve your pain. To make an appointment, please call (636) 229-4222 or send a request using our secure online form. Our friendly staff looks forward to speaking with you!