According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, up to 40% of chronic pain cases cite an injury as the cause behind the ongoing pain. For those admitted to the hospital for their injury, 15% are still experiencing chronic pain one year later.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Help is available.
If you have suffered an accident or injury, it’s imperative that you seek pain management expertise right away.
Pain Management After an Accident or Injury
Experiencing pain due to an accident or injury is a terrible thing. In some cases, strong medications are prescribed to treat that pain. However, this sort of one-size-fits-all approach is not always wise.
For treating persistent pain after a car crash, prescription opioid painkillers such as oxycodone (Oxycontin) are no more effective than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) like ibuprofen, a new study finds. (WebMD)
While pain management after an accident or injury may be necessary, wisdom is needed to know the best approach.
Consulting with a pain management specialist is one of the best steps you can take to ensure that you’re receiving informed and specialized care.
Why You Should Seek Medical Treatment After an Accident or Injury
If suffering an accident or injury leaves you experiencing pain, it is vital that you seek treatment before your pain worsens or becomes chronic.
Chronic pain has been defined by the Cleveland Clinic as any pain that lasts over three months, and include either continuous pain or pains that come and go. This is not a situation we would wish on our worst enemies.
Chronic pain can
- interfere with your daily life
- determine whether you can hold a job
- impact your relationships and social life
- impede your ability to care for yourself and others
In addition, chronic pain can have a strong influence on your mental health. Poor physical condition and inability to lead a normal daily life can lead people to experience levels of anxiety and depression that they would not feel otherwise.
If you are suffering with pain due to an accident or injury, it is important that you address your pain before it becomes chronic and further interferes with your life. But what’s the best way to go about it?
What Types of Treatments Are Available?
Depending on the severity of your accident or injury, you may be in survival mode right now. Though you are in eager to do what it takes to have less pain, you may be feeling overwhelmed at the thought of looking into what types of treatments are available.
That’s where pain management specialists come in. They are trained to help you understand your condition and trace your pain back to its source. They can then work with you to draw up a pain management plan that will hel you find relief.
Types of treatments for pain management may include the following:
- Medications
- TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Massage
This list is just a sampling, of course. Pain management specialists have access to a range of treatment options when considering how best to treat your pain. In addition, some pain management specialists recommend alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, biofeedback, or guided meditation.
The important thing is that you don’t attempt to wade these waters alone.
Come See What We Have to Offer
If you suffer pain due an accident or injury, you don’t have to suffer alone. We are here to help.
As leaders in the field of pain management, we have the resources and expertise to help you find what you need. Please do not hesitate to reach out for more information by filling out the form below. We look forward to hearing from you.