Despite the fact that many illnesses can now be treated, around 20% of American adults suffer from chronic pain. This means that they have had pain for more than three months and that their condition is not getting any better over time. At Revive MD Center in Glen Allen, VA, we offer a wide range of pain management methods that can help you cope with your condition and ease the chronic discomfort.
The treatments we use include injection therapy, laser therapy, physical therapy, medical massage, PRP injections, and stem cell treatments. You might be prescribed a single treatment or a combination, depending on your condition. Read on to find out whether you are a good candidate for our chronic pain relief methods and how you can get started with us.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Pain Management?
Most people start to feel better within a few days or weeks of their injury and treatment, but occasionally, pain lingers for much longer. Chronic pain is defined as severe discomfort that doesn’t ease after 12 weeks despite treatment or medication. Anyone who suffers from long-term pain can come to the clinic and ask us about our pain relief methods.
There are various options, and most of them are minimally invasive, so almost everyone can find something that suits them. However, the best candidates are those who are significantly affected by their pain, have been struggling with their condition for more than a few weeks, and have already been evaluated and diagnosed by a specialist.
You Are Struggling To Cope on a Daily Basis
Almost everyone occasionally suffers from mild pain, and some people have to cope with this issue every day. But slight discomfort can usually be fixed with a painkiller, and more advanced treatments might not be necessary. When you come to the clinic, we will ask you to evaluate the severity of your pain on a scale, so we can figure out whether you need to undergo treatment.
Most people who take part in our management program are finding it hard to cope because of their pain. They might have noticed changes in their mood, their ability to concentrate, and their ability to perform simple tasks like household chores and getting ready in the morning. As a result, their entire life is affected. Such candidates will see significant improvement when they start treatment at the clinic.
You Have Had Pain for Months or Years
After an injury, it’s likely that you will feel pain for several weeks. At that point, intervention might not yet be necessary because you will get better on your own. Unless you have an important event coming up and you need to speed up your healing process, it’s best to wait to see us until you’ve been in pain for some months and your condition has been diagnosed as chronic.
There are several reasons why people suffer from pain in the long term. The problem could be related to an injury that hasn’t healed properly or a medical condition such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and nerve damage. Sometimes, pain in the back, hips, or knees is related to bad posture or wear and tear. This mostly affects older people and athletes, but some people under 20 have degenerative conditions.
You Have Been Evaluated By a Specialist
Chronic pain doesn’t usually appear without a reason, and if your symptoms don’t disappear after a few days or weeks, you have to go speak to an expert. At the clinic, we won’t be able to offer you pain management treatment if it’s unclear where your pain is coming from because this would be risky. Instead, we will ask you to see a doctor who is experienced in the kind of issue you have.
For example, someone with joint pain might need to speak to a sports medicine doctor, and someone with pain in their abdomen should speak to an internal medicine specialist. Once you’ve received your diagnosis, you can come back to us and let us know what the problem is. We can then safely administer treatment, taking your medical condition into consideration.
What Advanced Management Methods Are There?
There are various ways of treating chronic pain, and most of them are minimally invasive. This means that you will be in and out of the clinic within an hour or so, and your life won’t be severely disrupted by treatment. The techniques we use here at Revive MD Center include injection therapy, laser therapy, physical therapy, medical massage, PRP injections, and stem cell treatments.
Injection Therapy
Injections are a common treatment for pain, and they can work very well for several months at a time. Several substances can be injected, and we will evaluate which one is most suitable for you when you come to see us. For example, some people who have chronic pain after surgery or due to a medical condition could benefit from nerve blocks, which stop the nerves from transmitting the pain signal.
Other patients do better with a steroid injection, which provides the body with a man-made form of a hormone that reduces redness, swelling, and pain. This is an excellent choice for people who suffer from arthritis and other conditions that cause inflammation.
Laser Therapy
In the past few years, doctors around the country have had a lot of success treating chronic pain with laser therapy. This involves applying heat in the form of laser energy to the nerves that are causing the pain. The process can increase your circulation and therefore accelerate wound healing and reduce your painful symptoms.
At Revive MD Center, we have found that laser therapy is 90% effective, and it is many of our patients’ preferred methods because it is pain-free and quick. Each session only takes a few minutes, and you can walk out of the clinic and resume your regular activities straight away. A wide range of conditions can be addressed with laser therapy, including tendinopathies, lower back pain, arthritis, and post-traumatic injuries.
Physical Therapy and Medical Massage
Sometimes, painful symptoms are caused by bad posture or habits. In this case, physical therapy could be very effective because it allows patients to re-learn movement patterns. A physiotherapist might manually manipulate your body to reduce tension and unblock your muscles, but they will also teach you new movement patterns and exercises that can help you strengthen weak muscles.
This treatment is often complemented by a medical massage, which is designed to release any tension in your muscles. While a medical massage isn’t as relaxing as a traditional one, it is more effective at helping you get rid of tight muscles, which are often hard to address on your own. Most experts recommend that you see your massage therapist at least twice per month.
PRP and Stem Cell Treatments
Platelet-rich plasma is a substance created from the patient’s own blood. It contains platelets, which are powerful healing agents that can send out growth factors. When a large quantity of them are released at the site of your injury, they can stimulate the production of healthy cells and therefore speed up healing and reduce your pain.
Stem cell treatments are similar because they also harness your body’s healing powers. They have been used to repair tissue damaged due to tendinopathy, a tendon tear, a traumatic injury, strains, sprains, carpal tunnel syndrome, and problems with cartilage. Stem cells can be derived from various sources, including the umbilical cord and the amniotic fluid.
Which Option Is Right for Me?
Not every option will work for every patient, and the chosen therapy depends on the condition you suffer from, your medical history, what you’ve tried before, and your personal preferences. Often, one technique alone is not enough, and we will combine two or more to create the best results possible.
How Can I Support Treatment?
The most important way you can support treatment is by following all your doctor’s orders. Always take medication as directed, and don’t miss any appointments because pain relief therapy works best when it is done regularly. Additionally, it’s important to live a healthy lifestyle that includes moderate exercise, a good diet, and low stress levels.
Most patients could benefit from giving up smoking and consuming excessive amounts of alcohol because these habits can slow down healing and increase pain levels. If you have trouble following a healthy lifestyle, speak to us. We can help you find reliable resources and professionals who can keep you accountable.
Manage Your Chronic Pain with Advanced Treatments
Chronic pain can affect every area of your life, and it can make your daily tasks almost impossible to complete. Fortunately, there are pain management treatments available, so your symptoms can be reduced, and you can once again participate in normal activities. Send us a message at Revive MD Center in Glen Allen, VA and ask for a virtual or in-person consultation with one of our specialists.
