Effectively Managing Pain After An Accident

A wide variety of accidents can, unfortunately, lead to long-term pain. Vehicle accidents, sports accidents, workplace accidents, and a variety of other injuries can all produce long-term debilitating pain that can be challenging to deal with. Finding an appropriate pain management regimen, potentially including epidural steroid injections, is essential in determining how to broadly manage pain.

Types of Accidents Leading to Chronic Pain

Unfortunately, a wide variety of accidents and incidents can produce chronic pain and necessitate a means of effective long-term pain management. This includes some of the following:

• Vehicle accidents are a common cause of long-term physical pain. Depending on severity and accident details, car accident-related injuries may include whiplash, broken bones, burns, head/neck/back injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other injuries.
• Sports injuries are another fairly common source of long-term pain. While frequently common in adolescents and young adults, sports-related injuries can happen at any time in life. They may include Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, foot and ankle sprains, meniscal tears, rotator cuff tendonitis, herniated discs, and many other types of injuries and chronic conditions.
• Workplace accidents may also lead to chronic pain. Depending on the type of workplace, common injuries may include carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injuries, repetitive motion disorders, neck and back injuries, foot and leg pain, and more potentially severe injuries, generally depending on the type of workplace.
• In some cases, chronic long-term pain may have no clear or discernible cause, but may still be highly debilitating and necessitate interventions.

Managing Pain After An Accident

There is no one route for effectively managing pain after an accident. The type of treatment prescribed for an individual will depend on the specifics of his or her accident,  the severity of the accident, and the long-term manifestations of the pain.

In some cases, mild pain may clear up on its own or with only minor interventions. In others, any and all of the following interventions may be useful in effectively managing chronic pain.

Over-the-Counter Pain Medications

In some cases, long-term pain can be effectively ameliorated with over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, and others. They can provide a relatively minimal and non-invasive way of mitigating and even overcoming chronic pain.

Exercise

Exercise can be essential in managing long-term chronic pain. It can help to rebuild flexibility and strength and regain lost mobility after an accident. Depending on the cause of the original pain, it can also help to avoid similar injuries in the future (as with sports-related injuries).

Physical Therapy and Massage

Both physical therapy and massage can be extremely effective in easing muscle pain and improving blood circulation after an accident. These non-invasive physical interventions can also assist with rebuilding mobility and allowing for a wider range of activities for a patient.

Chiropractic Care

A chiropractor can be essential in dealing with issues of alignment, as well as general back, neck, and head issues that stem from an accident.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is a technique in which radio waves are used to target specific nerves to block their sending of pain signals. While there can be some initial pain from the procedure, this typically resolves shortly, and patients can see effects on underlying pain within one to three weeks.

Topical Analgesics

Topical medications can also be useful in addressing some forms of chronic pain, particularly pain resulting from burns or other skin injuries.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

TENS uses minimal electrical currents to stimulate painful areas of the body, which may help to relax muscles and assist with pain relief.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections, as a means of epidural pain management, is a highly effective tactic for dealing with chronic pain in some individuals. An epidural injection is an injection into the epidural space around the spinal cord. This injection can help to reduce inflammation and improve mobility, as well as serve as an effective component of a broader treatment regimen. For instance, epidural injections coupled with regular physical therapy and exercise can together make a significant difference in improving pain.

Finding the Right Pain Management Doctor

An effective pain management doctor will typically have diverse experience in treating chronic and debilitating pain. A doctor can work with you to devise a treatment program that effectively addresses your needs and the details of your particular pain condition.

Get Relief Today

Metro Healthcare Partners is a pain management clinic in Brooklyn NY that takes a holistic approach to pain management. Contact us today to learn how we can help you manage chronic pain and once again feel healthy, strong, and active.