Chronic Pain and Pain Relief Options

  • Posted on: Mar 15 2020
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If you’re suffering from chronic pain, you know just how painful everyday life can be. It can be tempting to reach for any sort of relief possible, even if that substance could end up becoming very addictive and harmful later on. While opioids are an incredibly powerful tool for minimizing pain, they may not be the best choice for those with chronic pain. At the Center for Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, we want to help address those underlying causes and conditions that may be causing your chronic pain. Here are some alternatives to opioids that we may prescribe or recommend.

If you’ve been experiencing chronic pain, it’s likely that you’ve already tried over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin. If those don’t seem to work for you, we can also try corticosteroids.

At this stage, you may also be prescribed opioids. Opioids include codeine, oxycodone, Percodan, and morphine. These medications are very addictive and can cause serious side effects so we would recommend trying some alternative pain-management strategies before taking that route. Some of these other treatment options are listed below.

Injections

Injections can be an extremely effective treatment option for managing pain because they help to block the nerve signals reducing inflammation and relieving pain. Common injections that we would use are corticosteroids, Botox, or sclerosing solutions. We administer these injections directly into the area providing relief right where it’s needed.

Electrical Stimulation

Depending on the type of pain you’re experiencing, electrical stimulation might provide relief. It’s done through a small battery-operated device that transmits transcutaneous electrical energy into the nerve to relieve pain. It is considered safe for most patients and is not said to be painful.

Surgery

If the above options aren’t offering enough relief or you have a more severe case that does not respond to less-invasive treatments, surgery may be a good option. We can discuss what surgery would be best for your situation but common types of pain-relieving surgery include joint replacement, cartilage repair, and denervation.

Multidisciplinary Approach

It’s likely that one of these treatments alone won’t be enough to treat your chronic pain. Some things that work for a few months or years may not work forever and you may need to combine treatments or try other things.

If you’re living with chronic pain, know that there are treatment options available to you. Call us at 562.219.7251 to schedule an appointment today. We’d love to discuss your options with you.

Posted in: Pain Management

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Center for Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

16543 Carmenita Road
Cerritos, CA 90703

Tel: 562.219.7251
Fax: 562.219.7252

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
8 am- 5 pm
Saturday
8 am-12:30 pm
Sunday closed

18111 Brookhurst Street STE#2600
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Tel: 714.200.1010
Fax: 714.200.1299

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
8 am- 5 pm