Persistent pain blights many people’s lives. Whether it’s the inability to enjoy sports as you once did before, or whether it’s the agony of simply getting up out of a chair, chronic pain can be debilitating. While many conditions that involve persistent pain don’t have an official cure to end this misery, there are still some important breakthroughs when it comes to subsiding the aches and stiffness they may cause.
Antidepressants
Amitriptyline is a bit of a wonder drug when it comes to pain and all sorts of other ailments. This type of medicine affects the receptors that cause not only depression, but also other pain and allergies. Although it’s not without its drawbacks (as it can make you drowsy), it could be an effective temporary solution if your persistent pain is not the result of an injury. It also needs to be withdrawn slowly as there may be other unpleasant side-effects.
Stem cell treatment
The developments in stem cell science have always been fascinating, particularly when you consider how they are currently helping those with persistent pain. This is particularly the case for chronic and orthopedic pain, as they have been found to help the body to start repairing itself. Injections are used to treat serious conditions such as degenerative disc disease, in order to encourage the regeneration of cells. Initiating the self-healing cells in the body is a new way of treating pain without involving more invasive surgical methods.
Combat stress
Interestingly, stress and anxiety can increase a person’s sensitivity to pain. Combating your stress can only be a good thing too when you consider the mental implications of a serious injury. If you’ve been stuck indoors or have had to miss out on your favorite sport as a result of your injuries, you may have also suffered in terms of your mental health. Try and go for gentle walks or exercise if you can, and preoccupy yourself with enjoyable activities. Many national and international health clinics recommend meditation as a method of taking the mind away from stressful experiences and situations. If you think this is something you would be interested in, talk to your GP or therapist.
Iontophoresis and ultrasound
Both of these methods involve using different currents to reduce inflammation and increase blood circulation. Iontophoresis uses electric methods of stimulation to push medication into specific areas where the patient is experiencing pain. This method is particularly effective for reducing inflammation. Similarly, ultrasounds put sound waves into specific parts of the affected tissue. This method is not just used for minimizing inflammation, but also to encourage healing in the area.
Chronic pain is not only a very challenging issue for those who suffer from it, but also a deeply personal one. Many may feel that it is eating away at their ability to enjoy sports and activities as they once did before their injury. Luckily, there are many interesting new approaches to decreasing pain which could open up potential new avenues for you.