2 of 14

Write now Article Tools

Pain is defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage".

You feel pain because of a distress signal from the damaged tissue sent to your brain. In response, your mental and physical behavior will be adjusted to seek an end to what causes the pain.

Pain Relief Guide:
A number of approaches are there to relieve pain. Medication, physical therapy, alternative therapy and surgery are some of the commonly sought after solutions for pain.

1.Medication:
Perhaps every one of us has used some form of a pain killer available as over the counter drugs to relieve pain. Pain killers may be in the form of pills, ointments, gels, rubs, creams or even injections.

*Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly used pain killers. They are effective in relieving most forms of joint pain, arthritis pain and chronic pain. You may take them in the form of pills or apply locally on the site of pain. If you are taking NSAIDs daily for a long period of time, you have to be cautious and aware of their undesirable side effects.

*You may be prescribed anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, narcotic drugs and steroids as part of the treatment for chronic pain. This is because chronic pain is usually associated with ailments other than the pain itself.

*Because of the numerous side effects caused by medication, it will not be unwise for you to use any form of medication as minimally as possible unless prescribed by a treating doctor.

2. Physical Therapy:
Physical therapy is extremely important in relieving your pain, especially joint pain and arthritis pain. Physical therapy is given by a trained physical therapist. A physical therapist may use several modes of therapy to ease off your pain; among them are heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and muscle release techniques.

*Heat and cold treatment Application of cold and/or hot packs relieves pain and stiffness for some people. You may find it useful to ease off pain from aching joints, back and muscles.

*Ultrasound High energy sound waves are used to relieve pain. It is good for joint pain, back pain and arthritis pain for some people.

*Stretching exercises For some people, it helps to relax tense muscles holding the joint and ease off the pain.

*Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) - is a source of relief for chronic pain. In TENS, electrical impulses

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Pain relief guide?
We want to hear your view. Write now!