Chronic Pain Management Atlanta

What Is Chronic Pain

Pain can be defined as an unpleasant feeling or sensation that is triggered in the nervous system in response to a stimulus or pain trigger(s). It is the body’s way of telling us we are hurt or we have an underlying or undetected problem that requires immediate medical care. Without any pain, you might not even know that you are seriously hurt or have a severe medical problem that requires treatment.

In most cases, when the body has healed or the problem has been taken care of, the pain goes away on its own. However, there are some instances where the pain might go on for weeks, months, or even years – this state of continuous intense pain is known as chronic pain. According to a 2018 report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 50 million American adults (approximately 20.4% of the American adult population) suffer from chronic pain. This means that 1 in every 5 people suffers from chronic pain in Atlanta, GA, and the United States at large.

Common Types of Chronic Pain

There are numerous forms of chronic pain depending on the cause or the afflicted body part(s). Chronic pain can result from a number of causes including serious injuries and diseases like arthritis and cancer. The pain may also arise from health conditions that come with old age. Below are some of the most prevalent forms of chronic pain:

• Severe headache
• Postsurgical pain
• Cancer pain
• Post-trauma pain
• Arthritis pain
• Back pain – Includes neck pains, lower and upper back pain, and any other form of pain that affects the spine or the adjoining muscles.
• Psychogenic pain – a form of chronic pain that results from emotional, behavioral, or mental factors.
• Neurogenic pain – a form of pain resulting from nerve damage.

Are You Suffering From Chronic Pain?

If left untreated, chronic pain can disrupt the quality of life of the patient as he or she may be unable to perform daily tasks or engage in leisurely activities. This condition may affect both the physical and psychological well-being of the patient but the damage is usually more physical than psychological. Luckily, there are numerous chronic pain management strategies and treatment options available to Atlanta residents.

The primary goal of our pain management specialist in Atlanta is to help reduce the intensity or completely eliminate the pain so that the patients can get back to their normal lives. The type of chronic pain management strategy used can vary from one person to another depending on the severity, frequency, or cause of the pain. In most cases, several different forms of treatments can be combined into a single effective treatment regimen. Below are some of the most common chronic pain treatment options in Atlanta, GA:

Trigger Point Injections

This is a form of treatment that involves the injection of steroids into the afflicted part of the body and should only be administered by a qualified and experienced health professional in the field of pain management. Although the procedure can be very painful, trigger point injections have proven to be very effective especially in the treatment of patients suffering from severe back pain. Once the procedure is over, the doctor might prescribe some pain medication to help with the recovery process.

Bioelectric Therapy

This is a form of pain management therapy that focuses on putting an end to the pain sensation instead of finding and eliminating the root cause of the pain. As such, it cannot be relied on to completely cure severe pain by itself. However, it can be very effective when used alongside other forms of treatments or procedures that offer a more permanent solution. Bioelectric therapy works by blocking pain messages that arise from the brain thereby effectively shielding the patient from experiencing any pain sensation. This form of therapy is also said to trigger the production of endorphins, a unique type of chemical that is associated with lowering pain levels in the body.

Exercise & Physiotherapy

Simple regular exercises can go a long way in providing relief from chronic conditions. In the field of pain management, exercises have proven to be particularly effective in treating pain in the arms, legs, neck, and back. Exercising also enhances overall body health. However, some forms of exercise can act as a pain trigger and have to be avoided. This means you have to consult your doctor or chiropractor before engaging in any form of exercise aimed at relieving chronic pain.

Also in this category are some holistic approaches to chronic pain treatment including massage therapy, yoga, and acupuncture which have also proven to be very helpful in the treatment of various acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

Psychological Therapy

Having to deal with persistent pain day in day out can leave one anxious, annoyed, and stressed. As a matter of fact, some people take the condition so seriously that they end up suffering other serious mental and emotional conditions like depression. Psychological therapy is very effective in such a situation as it helps the patients to stay motivated and focused on the healing process.

Medication/Drug Therapy

In some cases, the pain may be so severe and unbearable that your doctor has no other choice but to prescribe some powerful pain management medication. Common chronic pain medications include anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen, non-steroidal drugs, acetaminophen, steroids, and anti-seizure medication. For patients experiencing emotional discomfort as a result of the pain, the doctor may prescribe antidepressants to help improve the patient’s quality of life and put their psychological health in check.

Most medications used in the treatment of chronic pain can produce immediate relief from pain. However, the relief does not last forever and one has to stay continuously medicated in order to keep the pain at bay. This can lead to addiction or worse if other forms of treatment are not incorporated to help cure the root cause of the pain. However, there is a new form of medication known as Ketamine that has brought hope for people suffering from life-changing and drug-resistant chronic pain(s).

The Best Chronic Pain Management Atlanta Offers

Ketamine is a breakthrough drug that, after some studies, has proven to be very effective in providing relief from several physical and psychological conditions that affect the human body including depression, anxiety, and severe pain. Unlike regular medication, ketamine produces a more long-lasting relief from chronic pain without any of the serious side-effects associated with such medication. Ketamine comes after years and years of research and scientific studies in search of safe and effective treatment for chronic pain and is currently setting the bar in the field of pain management.

The Invictus Clinic is one of the leading chronic pain management centers in Atlanta that specializes in ketamine infusion therapy for pain management. Our clinic is determined to help guide you along the path of recovery from severe and debilitating pain through safe ketamine infusion treatments.