Pain Management in South Africa

The perceptions and emotions of a person play an important role in how they experience pain. Although pain is real and physical different people will experience pain differently.

Whether your pain is from an old injury, cancer treatments, arthritis or fibromyalgia it can be managed. The first step is making an appointment with your doctor. The first course of action is to determine the cause of the pain and evaluate which pain management method is most effective for it. Pain Management should aim at treating both the mind and body. Pain should be managed by approaching it both emotionally and physically. Chronic pain medication can be effective in pain management. However, it should not be the only option used.

There are various medications used to manage pain. However, uploads, other narcotics, and benzodiazepines may not be the best options. This is because there are no good studies on long-term use of opioids for pain management. Types of chronic pain medication used include NSAIDs, Acetaminophen, Steroids, Antidepressants and Anti-seizure medications.

Therapy can be aimed at both the body and the mind.

• Physical therapy: Exercise, when done incorrectly, can worsen pain. A physical therapist should be consulted in order to develop a correct exercise plan. Exercising in the proper way progressively builds your tolerance and reduces your pain.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This approach allows you to learn what pain is and better understand it.

• Meditation
• Heat and cold therapy
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) therapy
• Relaxation techniques
• Biofeedback, which teaches control over muscle tension, heart rate, temperature, and more
• Manipulation and massage
• Visual imagery, as simple as picturing a peaceful scene, for example

Physical pain can vary greatly. It can be dull, mild, sharp or severe. Knowing the symptoms can help you describe the pain to your doctor. Although pain varies from one person to the next types of pain can be categorized.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Abdominal Pain may be a mild stomach ache, stomach cramps or sharp pain.
• Hip Pain
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Overexertion pinched nerves
• Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain
• Chronic Knee and Joint Pain
• Whiplash due to an abrupt jerking motion
• Chronic Muscle Pain
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Sciatica Pain
• Muscle Pain
• Joint Pain
• Shingles Pain (Postherpetic Neuralgia)
• Depression, Anxiety, and Pain
• Compartment Syndrome
• Diabetes-Related Nerve Pain (Neuropathy)
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which can develop for a minor injury
• Back Pain can be due to muscle strains, accidents or sports injuries
• Arachnoiditis: Spinal Pain due to infection, injury or some other assault
• Central Pain Syndrome due to conditions such as multiple sclerosis or stroke.
• Phantom Limb Pain usually felt by patients with a limb amputation

Symptoms of pain

• Lower back pain
• Pain radiating down the leg
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Face pain