There is a variety of methods that can be recommended for patients struggling with chronic pain, with different methods being more effective than others for each individual patient. One of the best things to do to effectively manage chronic pain is to visit a pain specialist to determine the cause of the pain, and to hopefully determine a good treatment plan that can be quickly implemented. There are also many studies supporting that physical and mental health are closely related, so reducing external stressors or factors that may be negatively affecting the mental health of the patient will often have a positive impact in providing noticeable chronic pain relief. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet can also be very effective in managing chronic pain. There are many other holistic and functional pain management methods available that will be recommended by a specialist depending on the cause of the pain, the symptoms being experienced, as well as the preferences and lifestyle of the patient.

Chronic pain typically fluctuates in intensity, with some days being significantly worse pain-wise than others. While it can often be difficult to anticipate when the pain will worsen, most triggers for the pain can include either physical activity or emotional stress. Triggers caused by physical activity can include engaging in repetitive physical actions for too long, potentially following an intense workout, shoveling snow, or even gardening. Both overactivity and underactivity can lead to a flare up of chronic pain. Emotional stressors that can lead to flare ups include increased stress levels such as through work or personal problems, or mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. A lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep can also lead to increased pain or flare ups for those with chronic pain, which can be influenced by both physical and mental health.

When suffering from acute or chronic pain, there are some indicators that patients can use to determine that it is time to see a specialist to help them manage their pain. One of the first indicators that specialized medical care may be necessary is if the pain is interfering with the individual’s ability to function day-to-day, potentially affecting their ability to work, focus, and sleep. Once pain is interfering with one’s ability to function normally, it can quickly start to affect the person’s quality of life as well. A clear indication of this is that the pain is affecting the person’s ability to move how they typically would while performing daily tasks, or if the pain is present every time they do a specific movement, such as raising their arms, bending over, or standing up. Additionally, chronic pain can quickly interfere with an individual’s ability to sleep, so if your sleep has been affected by chronic pain, professional assistance is typically recommended. Another indicator that professional attention may be required for pain is if the pain begins to radiate through surrounding limbs or the rest of the body, or if the pain shifts into numbness or tingling anywhere throughout the body as that can be indicative of nerves being affected. If the patient has started to develop a dependency on medication to help them manage their pain, they should likely consider seeing a pain specialist.

A pain management doctor will have vast experience in managing and treating a wide range of chronic pain, allowing them to more effectively determine potential causes for the pain and have a wider variety of pain management methods to ensure that all patients can achieve pain relief through a personalized treatment plan. Many different commonly used methods of pain management will vary depending on the severity of the pain, the type of pain, the cause of the pain, as well as the lifestyle and treatment preferences of the patient, and treatment through the support of a pain management doctor, will provide the patient with a personalized treatment plan that is created depending on their specific needs and values. Some pain management methods will be more effective for some patients than others, making it essential to have a specialist who has significant experience in pain management work with the patient to find a method that is most effective in managing their specific symptoms while also addressing the cause of the pain wherever possible.

At Specialty Medical Center, our medical team consists of several different specialties, ensuring that all of our patients have a trusted physician by their side to manage their pain and provide personalized treatment plans. We serve patients from Dearborn MI, Sterling Heights MI, Detroit MI, Birmingham MI, Allen Park MI, Warren MI, and BEYOND!