You probably experienced pain if you injured your back, touched a hot surface or had a surgical procedure. Pain can be sharp, dull, achy or throbbing. It can last for a few minutes or it can lasts for years. According to the National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain, 13 to 15 million people in the United States suffer from chronic and severe pain. There are specific steps to alleviate pain.
Medical Therapies
Step 1
Go to your local pharmacy and purchase non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS) such as aspirin or acetaminophen. NSAIDS are pain relievers that decrease the prostaglandin formation (substance in your body) necessary for inflammation and the perception of pain. Acetaminophen is a pill that can decrease mild to moderate pain.
Step 2
Obtain a prescription for an opioid analgesic such as hydrocodone to relieve your pain. Opioid analgesics are addictive medications that can relieve severe pain.
Step 3
Apply a topical analgesic such as capsaicin (substance found in chili peppers) to your pain. Frequently apply this to your pain site for up to 6 weeks.
Step 4
Get a sacroiliac joint injection, trigger point injection or botulism toxin A injection to provide pain relief. A sacroiliac joint injection involves placing a needle containing pain medication into the sacroiliac joint near your buttocks. Trigger point injections involve injecting pain medications directly into your muscle. Botulism toxin A injection involves injecting a bacteria into your muscle to paralyze it.
Step 5
Schedule spinal cord stimulation surgery (SCS) or intraspinal implantation surgery. SCS surgery involves implanting a small device near the nerves (fibers) of your spinal cord. This device releases electrical impulses that interfere with your pain sensation. An intraspinal drug delivery device consists of implanting a pump into your stomach to allow the continuous infusion of pain medication.
Psychosocial Therapies
Step 1
Use relaxation therapies like meditation and biofeedback training to alleviate your pain. According to the American Pain Foundation, meditation involves focuses on an object like your breathing patterns to reduce your reality of pain. Biofeedback training involves understanding how you physically react to pain and training yourself to relax.
Step 2
Exercise 30 minutes daily and be optimistic about your pain.This can ultimately help decrease your pain.
Step 3
Go to a hypnotherapist. Hypnotherapists can help guide you to reduce your perception of pain. According to the American Pain Foundation, you will learn to gain control of your pain.
Physical Therapies
Step 1
Use hydrotherapy to heal your pain. Hydrotherapy involves using hot and cold sources to relieve your pain. Apply a cold compress or a hot compress frequently for 30 minutes each or as your doctor recommends.
Step 2
Go to a massage therapist and get a full body massage for at least 30 minutes. Stretching and kneading your muscles can help relax your muscles and decrease pain.
Step 3
Apply a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit at the site of your pain. This releases impulses of electricity to your skin to decrease your perception of pain.
Tips and Warnings
- Be patient. Your doctor may have to combine medications and therapies to suit your pain. This may take weeks to months.
Things You'll Need
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS) such as aspirin
- Opioid analgesics such as hydrocodone
- Topical analgesic such as capsaicin
- Cold compress
- Hot compress
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit
