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PAIN MANAGEMENT

One would not think something that is so commonplace and experienced by everyone who has ever been alive would be so difficult to define and describe. The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described terms of such damage." This is one of perhaps dozens of definitions of pain.

Acute pain serves a meaningful purpose as an early warning system for the prevention and detection of events that may cause physical damage to a person. In this capacity, acute pain serves us well. It warns a beach bather that their skin is burning and they need to get out of the sun or the jogger to slow down before joint or muscle damage is done. It is when the acute pain does not subside or diminish and goes on to become chronic pain.

Chronic pain serves no biological function. It inhibits a person from being a functional part of their family and society. If the causative factor has been treated and the body continues to project the pain signal to the person then a chronic pain syndrome may ensue. Chronic pain is generally described as a pain that continues to persist long after the expected healing time. Persons who suffer from pain make both physiologic and behavioral changes to it with time. Those persons that, for a multitude of reasons, develop a maladaptive pattern of behavior for dealing with their chronic pain can develop a chronic pain syndrome.

The best treatment for any condition is prevention. Anytime acute pain can be appropriately treated the potential for a chronic pain problem is avoided. Before a condition can be treated it must first be diagnosed. This may seem obvious, but it is often taken for granted. "Doing something" for the pain is not a substitute for first finding its cause then fixing the problem. Only in this manor can pain be truly treated. There are times, however, when an injury or disease cannot be fully healed or reversed. The best result must then be defined and realistic goals instituted before the appropriate rehabilitation to return the person to their highest level of function can begin.

There are as many treatments for pain, as there are causes. A broad scope is considered as part of the patient’s treatment by Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates. After a thorough history and physical is performed on a patient by the physician, a treatment plan is discussed and begun. This includes reviewing what has already been tried and perhaps further defining the diagnosis or problem with specific medical tests. Then a comprehensive approach is applied to the particular person and their diagnosis.

These treatments may include a wide range of possible modalities. Often many are included in a total care plan. Examples include medication, education, modification of activities and personal behaviors, exercise, orthotics, therapeutic injections and sometimes surgical considerations. A comprehensive approach to your accurately diagnosed problem is the key to definitive treatment.

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