Chronic pain is the most common health condition in the US, and according to a study, it is more prevalent than any other disease, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Research by the Centers for Disease Control found that over 51 million people in America live with high-impact chronic pain, impacting work and everyday activities.
Although many people deal with pain daily, some ignore it, while others turn to opioids for pain relief. Doing these things can be dangerous since ignoring persistent pain can worsen it in the long run. At the same time, constant opioid use may lead to improper use, addiction, or adverse effects, such as respiratory depression. For a safer way to be pain-free, experts recommend interventional procedures to reduce pain intensity and keep pain flare-ups at bay. Here is what you need to know about the role of interventional procedures in pain management.
Non-Invasive Solutions to Manage Pain
Lower back pain is one of the most prevalent types of chronic pain and is highly common among young adults and older people. Sometimes, certain conditions may call for spine surgery to ease back pain. However, according to Oklahoma Interventional Spine & Pain specialist Dr. Brandon Claflin, non-invasive procedures should be considered first before surgery since these may be enough to reduce pain.
Steroid injections are one such treatment that can help to treat lower back pain caused by arthritis or degenerative disc disease. Having any of these conditions means that a person has irritated nerves, which causes pain to spread throughout the lower back. Injecting corticosteroids right into the nerves can help make you feel better and increase your mobility. Best of all, it only takes minutes to administer this treatment, and there is no downtime compared to back surgery.
Heat for Pain Management
Heat therapy has always been effective as a treatment for minor aches and pains. However, heat therapy also treats chronic pain since it can reduce inflammation by temporarily disabling the nerves that cause pain. Radio waves safely deliver intense, direct heat to the affected nerves through radiofrequency ablation, making a person pain-free for about six months.
There are some cases in which the nerves regain feeling, but it is not an issue since patients can receive repeated treatments. Each radiofrequency ablation session lasts about 20 minutes, and local anesthesia prevents discomfort during the treatment.
Posture Correction
Our lifestyles and habits cause some chronic pain cases. For instance, those with poor working posture may experience low-grade but persistent lower back pain. Experts recommend using ergonomic furniture, mainly if you sit in front of a computer for long periods. An ergonomic chair can keep your spine aligned while you sit while using a standing desk and can reduce pain by decompressing the spine and taking pressure off the lower back.
Exercise for Pain Relief
Most people believe limiting movements and physical activity is the best way to prevent pain flare-ups. However, little to no physical activity can cause your muscles to tighten, further exacerbating chronic pain.
Preventing inactivity is why exercise can be beneficial, as it can alleviate pain and improve overall fitness and mood. A study by the NCBI, it was found that regular exercise can reduce the frequency of recurring back pain flare-ups by almost half.
Try doing simple stretching exercises or low-impact workouts like walking, swimming, or yoga. Consider new activities like Pilates, tai chi, or water aerobics to motivate yourself to exercise more without triggering pain.
Interventional procedures can help to keep you pain-free and improve your quality of life. In case of excessive and persistent pain, see a specialist who can help create the right treatment plan.
