pain management
Treating chronic discomfort
Pain management is the medical field devoted to reducing or controlling pain, especially chronic pain that persists beyond normal healing.
It draws on multiple approaches—medication, physical therapy, nerve blocks, psychological techniques—often in combination.
A pain management specialist typically treats patients whose pain hasn't responded to standard care.
The term also applies more broadly to any strategy for coping with pain: Her pain management includes meditation and careful pacing of activities.
Drugs that reduce pain
- opioidsReceptor-binding pain relievers
- NSAIDsOver-the-counter pain class
- acetaminophenCommon over-the-counter analgesic
- ibuprofenAnti-inflammatory pain reliever
tramadol · morphine · fentanyl · naproxen · lidocaine · corticosteroids · muscle relaxants · antidepressants
Treatment restoring bodily function
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
- massageSoft tissue manipulation
- biofeedbackTraining via physiological monitoring
- cognitive behavioral therapyTreatment restructuring harmful thought patterns
mindfulness · meditation · TENS · hydrotherapy · chiropractic · occupational therapy · heat therapy · ultrasound
Chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain condition
- arthritisInflamed joint disease
- neuropathyDamage to peripheral nerves
- migraineSevere neurological head pain
- endometriosisDisplaced uterine tissue condition
lupus · multiple sclerosis · spinal stenosis · neuralgia · phantom limb · sickle cell disease · sciatica · osteoarthritis
Capacity for movement
- strength trainingBuilding muscle through resistance
- range of motionJoint's movement capacity
- reconditioningRestoring to good condition
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
coordination · adaptive equipment · pacing · ergonomics · posture · endurance · flexibility · activities of daily living
Overall state of health
- self-careMaintaining personal wellbeing
- sleep hygieneBehaviors promoting better rest
- stress reductionLessening mental tension
- nutritionBodily use of food
anti-inflammatory diet · support groups · coping strategies · quality of life · integrative · complementary · mind-body · acceptance
analgesics
Drugs that reduce pain
- opioidsReceptor-binding pain relievers
- NSAIDsOver-the-counter pain class
- acetaminophenCommon over-the-counter analgesic
ibuprofen · tramadol · morphine · fentanyl · naproxen · lidocaine · corticosteroids · muscle relaxants · antidepressants · anticonvulsants
physiotherapy
Treatment restoring bodily function
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
- massageSoft tissue manipulation
- biofeedbackTraining via physiological monitoring
cognitive behavioral therapy · mindfulness · meditation · TENS · hydrotherapy · chiropractic · occupational therapy · heat therapy · ultrasound · dry needling
fibromyalgia
Chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain condition
- arthritisInflamed joint disease
- neuropathyDamage to peripheral nerves
- migraineSevere neurological head pain
endometriosis · lupus · multiple sclerosis · spinal stenosis · neuralgia · phantom limb · sickle cell disease · sciatica · osteoarthritis · rheumatoid arthritis
mobility
Capacity for movement
- strength trainingBuilding muscle through resistance
- range of motionJoint's movement capacity
- reconditioningRestoring to good condition
balance · coordination · adaptive equipment · pacing · ergonomics · posture · endurance · flexibility · activities of daily living · return to work
wellness
Overall state of health
- self-careMaintaining personal wellbeing
- sleep hygieneBehaviors promoting better rest
- stress reductionLessening mental tension
nutrition · anti-inflammatory diet · support groups · coping strategies · quality of life · integrative · complementary · mind-body · acceptance · resilience
- medicinedoctor, doctors, hospital, medicine, surgery
- doctor tasksdiagnosis, treatment, prescribing, patient care, physical exams
- End-of-Lifeadvance directive, DNR, do not resuscitate, hospice, life support
- Hospital Proceduresadmission, blood draw, blood pressure, blood transfusion, charting
- rehab therapyphysical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise therapy, aquatic therapy, hydrotherapy
- healthhealth, wellness, vitality, fitness, well-being
pain managementcure
Treatment that heals
disease eradication · definitive treatment · healing · remission · corrective surgery
pain, manage, painful, manager, pains, management, painless, pained, managed