Pain Management Knowledge and alternative treatments
Pain Management is a very competitive field. Patients look for compassionated doctors who listen to their issues. Most chronic pain patients live with their pain for more than six months and understand their issues, doctors don’t need to explain the pain issue again and again.
Doctors can pay attention to the patient’s progress month to month, and listen to the patients, may be re-phrase the patient’s complaints.
Patients need to gain more knowledge of the pain by reading books, internet medical articles, positive attitude, search or google wikipedia for alternative methods to control the pain. The best approach probably creates a pain chart logging daily activity and pain levels. And bring your daily pain chart to your doctor appointment, showing him or her you are serious about tracking and controlling your pain issue.
Patients need to have a strong positive attitude, it is not easy, but positive thinking surely help in the long run.
Patients should check in to meditation, breathing exercises, to bring fresh oxygenated air in to your cells, your muscles and your brain. Meditation can be accomplished slowly at your own pace, but do it regularly even just five or ten minutes a day.
Please consult with your physician about your medical condition, everyone is in a different medical condition. Never base your decision about your health on the internet.
Pain Management at Park Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL 33781, 727 548-1111
Pain Management looks into Chronic Pain alternatives
Healthcare Reform
While healthcare reform seems to be at the forefront of the news lately, the focus is only on changing where the money is coming from. There doesn’t seem to be a real discussion about what the money is for. Will it cover a pre-existing condition? What treatments will be available? How much will have to be paid out of pocket? Will everyone qualify? This is for information only, please consult with your physician for all medical concerns.
Chronic Pain
There are more than 16 million American living in severe poverty. That’s the highest number in thirty-two years. There’s little money for the essentials, let alone insurance and healthcare costs. Many of those also suffer major medical problems, one of the worst being chronic pain which is often a secondary problem due to the types of jobs, diseases, and the higher instances of crime in lower income areas. While most poor Americans qualify, the current systems of Medicaid and Medicare only cover a limited number of treatments alternatives for chronic pain. Under this system, the time it takes just to see a doctor is often anywhere from days to months. Then there’s the possibility of being referred to a specialist, which will take more time and money. Drug therapy is the primary treatment used to combat pain. But because it is so difficult to see a doctor for a refill, many patients resort to the emergency room as a means to get the medications, usually narcotics, to fight the pain.
So on top of the original condition and the chronic pain that follows, there’s a third problem: Addiction. No one listens to a poor person with an addiction to pain medicines. It’s become a stigma. Others look at them as the cause of the healthcare crisis. They abuse the system looking for a fix instead of getting a job and their own insurance. Don’t they have other options? Do they?
They should. Chronic pain is a real issue in today’s current medical system. Treating chronic pain is another problem altogether. Medication is often the first choice for treatment, sometimes with or without other treatments such as physical therapy. But narcotics designed for chronic pain may have many side effects. They are meant to solve a short-term problem such as a broken leg or post-surgical pain. The main concern with narcotics is that they are addictive and tolerance often starts after only a few weeks, leaving patients looking for stronger doses or more potent narcotics. This dependency on narcotics is becoming such a widespread epidemic-like problem. There are other medications which have been used such as prescription sleep-aides, antidepressants, anti-epileptics, muscle, relaxers, and steroids. All have risk of tolerance and dependency and some cause further complications like seizures or insomnia.
Alternatives to Traditional Pain Medications
But there are alternatives to chemical-based medications. There are several alternative treatments available to treat several ailments, including chronic pain. A natropathic physician is a medical doctor who specializes in alternative therapies. While most doctors treat symptoms, a natropathic physician will also look at the whole body, treating any underlying conditions, changing the diet, and possibly even offer counseling services to deal with the pain and addiction. They will often refer patients to those who specialize in each field. They may even recommend herbs as an alternative to drugs to help the severity of pain during treatment.
There are a small group of herbs such as black haw, vervain, and white willow that can treat pain. But like chemical-based medications, herbs can have several side effects. Vervain in particular can depress the heart rate and constrict the bronchial passages. The main issue is that herbs as a medical treatment are not currently regulated by the FDA which means dosing is not regulated. However, since herbs have been used for centuries in many countries around the world, there is a basic idea of how much, what route, and most side effects are well known and documented. The chances of dependency and tolerance are also lower. The other drawback is that not all herbs and herbalists who can prepare them are easy to come by. They can be purchased over the Internet, but the poor often don’t always have Internet access or a credit card to purchase them with.
Other herbal therapies include oils such as allspice, cinnamon, clove, mint, and tarragon oils that can be used as a topical anesthetic. These are only used topically on the skin, rubbed into area of pain. The main side effects are redness to the skin and possible allergic reaction. They also only work for a short amount of time and can be expensive.
As mentioned above, there are other alternatives to medication of any kind altogether. The best therapies, such as yoga and acupuncture are generally inexpensive, minimally invasive, and drug-free. However, while most are not currently covered by insurance, the long-term expense is often lower than chemical therapy. This makes out of pocket expense less and the likelihood that these therapies will be approved for insurance coverage in the near future.
Chiropractic therapy is always at the top of the list. Chiropractic practice is basically spinal manipulation used to adjust the spine into ‘homeostasis‘ thereby relieving pain without the use of medicine. The problem is that almost every Chiropractor has a different technique and often has a risk of spinal damage and occurence of new injury. Many insurance companies cover treatment, but only a certain amount a year, which often means the rest will be the patient’s responsibility. Several chiropractors offer payment options and don’t always use credit as a factor.
Acupuncture is another alternative with promising results and fewer side effects. It’s becoming such a popular alternative that insurance companies are making it the most insured complementary therapy as well as affordable. It’s also proving to be very effective. Acupuncture is performed by inserting hair-sized needles into certain sites all over the body to help relieve pain as well as treating other ailments. There are few side effects including temporary pain at the site where the needle is placed, and mild redness after the needle is removed.
Another recently popular therapy is yoga. Yoga is a series of movements that increase circulation and flexibility, but also strengthen muscles, joints, and bones. Certain poses have been proven to treat chronic pain by making the body stronger. Yoga is a cheap alternative as classes are usually affordable and offered all over the country now. While videos, books, and web sites can teach yoga, for pain relief, a live teacher is recommended to teach the poses properly so as to not injure the body further. The obvious side effects are similar to that of chiropractic treatment with further injury to the body. Yoga is also not recommended for all types of chronic pain. Consulting a yoga teacher before practicing yoga is best.
While medication and other chemical therapies are still the standard for chronic pain management, there is a whole world of alternative therapies that are usually more effective and more cost-efficient. This is only a small list of what can be offered. While most insurance companies still don’t recognize the use of alternative therapy, the out of pocket expense is still low. The other drawback is the stigma that alternative medicine still has. People tend to forget that there way a time when herbs were the only methods of treating any ailment. Acupuncture and yoga have been around for thousands of years, meaning their practice is well studied and mastered.
The problem is getting the poor person out of the rut of pain medications and into an active, more productive lifestyle again. Narcotics do work but have side effects. Shuffling from one doctor to another does not work. Alternative treatments can be good compliments to traditional pain medications. Treating the patient and not the symptom can work. It’s not more insurance that needed. It’s a system with better alternatives available to every patient regardless of income, social standing, and current insurance coverage. It would reduce overall cost, lower emergency room visits, and allow people to get their lives back.
Pain Management Forms
Pinellas Pain Management Forms
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6251 Park Blvd, Suite 1, Pinellas Park, FL 33781
727 548-1111
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Questions to ask Pain Management Office
Questions for Pain Management Offices/Centers
A few days before your initial appoinment, you need to ask the staff or the manager. You may want to talk with your doctor to determine what his or her opinion is of pain treatment. Here are a few questions that may be pertinent to ask when inquiring about a pain management office center.
* What types of MRI regarding pain treatment does the office need to have?
* How will my family be involved in the treatment process?
* Do you offer other types of treatments?
* Do you references?
* What does it cost per visit?
* Has anyone ever been through the program with my specific pain condition? What was the result?
* How is prescription fill?
* What medical treatment methods does your facility provide?
* Can my insurance be used to pay for your facility?
* Does your facility provide non-medical treatments for pain?
* Do you accept PIP insurance?
* What are the qualifications of the staff assisting with chronic pain in residents?
* How long do most pain patients wait?
* Why should I attend your pain management?
In addition to the questions listed above, you may ask about pharmacy coupons, discounts?
Pain Management doctors of Pinellas and Tampa office is at 6251 Park Blvd suite 1, Pinellas Park, FLorida
Office hours 9 to 6 PM by appointment only.