Pain management is a medical specialty that focuses on relieving severe or chronic pain. Diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, arthritis, lower back pain, neck pain, and sciatica are just a few of the conditions that pain management specialists treat.
Because chronic pain is difficult to completely eliminate, pain management specialists aim to reduce pain while improving social, emotional, and physical functioning, as well as the overall quality of life.
Active Treatment
During active treatments, you actively participate in your treatment, such as by performing physical therapy at home or practicing mindfulness meditation. Active treatments are especially important for regaining independence at home and at work. Approaches that emphasize active treatments often work better and have fewer side effects than purely passive approaches for many types of non-cancer-related chronic pain.
During active treatments, you engage in activities and exercises that help relieve pain, improve physical and emotional functioning, and improve your quality of life, either on your own or with the assistance of someone else, such as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or psychologist.
Passive Treatment
Medication, acupuncture, or massage therapy are examples of passive treatments given to people in pain. You are a passive recipient during these treatments and do not actively work toward your own recovery.
Benefits of Active vs. Passive Therapies
Opioids and NSAIDs, for example, can be extremely effective in treating acute, injury-related pain caused by conditions such as broken bones or recent surgery.
However, for many types of chronic pain, such as low back pain, neck pain, and arthritic (joint) pain, a purely passive treatment approach has little effect on pain or improves daily functioning. Active treatments frequently result in better long-term outcomes as well as improved day-to-day functioning and quality of life.
Active treatments can boost your sense of personal efficacy and competence while increasing your independence because they require effort and real work on your part.
As a result, pain management specialists emphasize active treatments, with passive therapies serving as an adjunct, a bridge to more active therapies, or a last resort.
The appropriate combination of active and passive therapies is determined by the person's specific type of pain, its location, intensity, and duration, as well as the person's goals.
Emotional and Mental Aspects of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a condition that affects a person's emotional and mental well-being as well as physical health. As many as 80% of people suffering from chronic pain suffer from depression or anxiety. They may avoid activities for fear of aggravating their pain, leaving them feeling isolated and hopeless. Such emotions can increase stress and muscle tension, worsening pain and impairing daily functioning.
In addition to passive therapies such as antidepressants, active therapies such as pain-focused psychotherapy or joining a support group can often help alleviate emotional and mental suffering and improve your quality of life.
Finding a Pain Management Care Team
Finding a care team you can trust is the first step in beginning a treatment plan. Pain specialists should be medical doctors who have received additional training in chronic pain management. Pain treatment centers are ideal because they employ a multidisciplinary team of specialists who can assist with various aspects of chronic pain. You could seek advice from your primary care physician and friends.
Cost is an important consideration. Some pain management treatments are prohibitively expensive. Check with your insurance provider to see if the care teams and treatments you're thinking about using are covered by your policy.
Even if you do not have health insurance, you should consult with a healthcare provider about your symptoms and ask for recommendations on where to find affordable active or passive therapies.
Once you've found the right team, you'll need to communicate your needs to them and follow up with them on any side effects or other concerns you may have. It is critical to be forthright and honest, as well as to advocate for yourself and your needs.
