Pain Therapies - a short list
Write to us on the blog and help us list some more
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, a type of alternative medicine, has been shown to control pain. It has been suggested that acupuncture stimulates the production of endorphins, acetylcholine, and serotonin. However, acupuncture should be combined with an exercise program.
Manipulation
Today manipulation is performed by Chiropractors and Physical Therapists. For patients without radiculopathy (pain stemming from a spinal nerve root or fractures), manipulation may be effective during the first month. Thereafter, benefits are unproven. Manipulation is believed to be effective because of its effect on spinal mobility. Acute low back pain, chronic low back pain, and DDD without nerve compression may respond to manipulation.
Spinal Injections
With most spinal injections, a local anesthetic called Lidocaine (also known as Xylocaine®) is used to numb the injection site. A steroid medication called a corticosteroid is also commonly injected along with the anesthetic in order to reduce inflammation in the affected areas.
Facet Joint Injection
When back pain originates from the facet joints (located in each side of the vertebrae), a specific type of injection called a facet joint injection may reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Doctors use fluoroscopy to ensure the needle is correctly placed before the medicines are injected. Fluoroscopy is a special type of x-ray used to project live images onto a monitor (TV screen).
Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)
During an ESI, medications are injected into the “epidural space”. The epidural space is the area between the spinal sac and spinal canal, which runs the length of the canal. As the medicine is injected into the epidural space it coats the nerve roots and outside lining of the facet joints.
Discectomy
The most common cause of low back pain is a herniated disc. The surgical option for this condition is called a discectomy. A discectomy involves removing the soft gel-like material in the disc, returning the disc to a more normal shape, and relieving pressure on the nerve.
Laminectomy and Laminotomy
Spinal stenosis is another common cause of back pain, particularly in older people. The surgical option for this condition is called a laminectomy (removal of the entire lamina) or a laminotomy (partial removal of the lamina). The lamina is the small bony plate located in the back of each vertebra. Partial or total removal of this plate gives the surgeon access to the intervertebral disc. These surgical procedures are also used to treat spondylolisthesis and to relieve pressure on the spinal canal caused by spinal tumors.
Foraminotomy
A foraminotormy is a surgical procedure used to expand the opening through which nerves exit the spinal canal. This procedure is usually done to treat a compressed or pinched nerve.
Physical Therapy (PT)
The treating doctor prescribes PT to treat sprains/strains, muscles spasms, arthritis, and many other disorders. The purpose of PT is to help the patient build strength, flexibility, and endurance. PT combines heat/cold therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulating, and massage with exercise as part of rehabilitation.
The following therapies should not be confused with Psychotherapy or counseling. These therapies treat issues caused by having chronic pain, mostly physical impairments and especially when it is diagnosed as permanent and untreatable.
Occupational and Behavioral Therapy, a companion to physical therapy. Learn how to go back to work and be productive around your limits.
Grief Therapy , Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Acceptance, Depression or Resolution: The basic 5 stages we all go through and should go through. Pain is loss, loss is grief. Study this for sure.
Pain Therapy, Learn about how pain affects the brain, the behavior, the concentration, etc. Lots of tests to show exactly how you're doing mentally. Look for therapists who know what this is.
Acupuncture, a type of alternative medicine, has been shown to control pain. It has been suggested that acupuncture stimulates the production of endorphins, acetylcholine, and serotonin. However, acupuncture should be combined with an exercise program.
Manipulation
Today manipulation is performed by Chiropractors and Physical Therapists. For patients without radiculopathy (pain stemming from a spinal nerve root or fractures), manipulation may be effective during the first month. Thereafter, benefits are unproven. Manipulation is believed to be effective because of its effect on spinal mobility. Acute low back pain, chronic low back pain, and DDD without nerve compression may respond to manipulation.
Spinal Injections
With most spinal injections, a local anesthetic called Lidocaine (also known as Xylocaine®) is used to numb the injection site. A steroid medication called a corticosteroid is also commonly injected along with the anesthetic in order to reduce inflammation in the affected areas.
Facet Joint Injection
When back pain originates from the facet joints (located in each side of the vertebrae), a specific type of injection called a facet joint injection may reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Doctors use fluoroscopy to ensure the needle is correctly placed before the medicines are injected. Fluoroscopy is a special type of x-ray used to project live images onto a monitor (TV screen).
Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)
During an ESI, medications are injected into the “epidural space”. The epidural space is the area between the spinal sac and spinal canal, which runs the length of the canal. As the medicine is injected into the epidural space it coats the nerve roots and outside lining of the facet joints.
Discectomy
The most common cause of low back pain is a herniated disc. The surgical option for this condition is called a discectomy. A discectomy involves removing the soft gel-like material in the disc, returning the disc to a more normal shape, and relieving pressure on the nerve.
Laminectomy and Laminotomy
Spinal stenosis is another common cause of back pain, particularly in older people. The surgical option for this condition is called a laminectomy (removal of the entire lamina) or a laminotomy (partial removal of the lamina). The lamina is the small bony plate located in the back of each vertebra. Partial or total removal of this plate gives the surgeon access to the intervertebral disc. These surgical procedures are also used to treat spondylolisthesis and to relieve pressure on the spinal canal caused by spinal tumors.
Foraminotomy
A foraminotormy is a surgical procedure used to expand the opening through which nerves exit the spinal canal. This procedure is usually done to treat a compressed or pinched nerve.
Physical Therapy (PT)
The treating doctor prescribes PT to treat sprains/strains, muscles spasms, arthritis, and many other disorders. The purpose of PT is to help the patient build strength, flexibility, and endurance. PT combines heat/cold therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulating, and massage with exercise as part of rehabilitation.
The following therapies should not be confused with Psychotherapy or counseling. These therapies treat issues caused by having chronic pain, mostly physical impairments and especially when it is diagnosed as permanent and untreatable.
Occupational and Behavioral Therapy, a companion to physical therapy. Learn how to go back to work and be productive around your limits.
Grief Therapy , Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Acceptance, Depression or Resolution: The basic 5 stages we all go through and should go through. Pain is loss, loss is grief. Study this for sure.
Pain Therapy, Learn about how pain affects the brain, the behavior, the concentration, etc. Lots of tests to show exactly how you're doing mentally. Look for therapists who know what this is.