Is Your Pain Treatment Hurting? (continued)

Your instinct is surgery before therapy

Surgery may feel that the most effective option, but for chronic pain, research is mixed. Studies show that operating to relieve low back pain without evidence of nerve pressure, for example, may provide minimal if any benefit, compared with a rehabilitation program, not to mention that this is with risks. "The truth is, surgery has a chance to make the pain worse the infection, scarring and nerve damage," says Carey.

Get relief: Eight for medicines for pain, physical therapy, or exercise first. To treat back pain, for example, experts recommend trying a combination of all three for at least six months before discussing surgical options. Many people will be improved sufficiently to avoid or not be eligible for surgery, says William Abdu, MD, medical director of spine Center at Dart-mouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. You can also talk to your doctor about trying a shorter, more intensive rehabilitation program.

You are wary of narcotics

The news is filled with tales of unintentional deaths from Meds pain or celebrities, who became addicted to them so that people suffering from pain for many prefer to play safe with OTC antialgice. Even some doctors to avoid narcotics for fear of being punished for overprescribing them. But the reality is, most people in pain will not go or die dependent on pain Meds. And the benefits are huge-they take when you're in less pain, can be more actively and speed your recovery.

Get relief: Most doctors start patients on low doses of opioids and check-in needs assessments every three or four weeks to make sure the medication works well. If you experience that "drugged" feeling at first, do not worry-it'll disappear in a few days as your body adjusts to the medicine. Take only the medicine prescribed-growth, no dose or combined with other drugs, such as muscle relaxants or anti-anxiety, unless you talk to your doctor.

There are some people who may be predisposed to addiction. If you have a problem with alcohol or drugs in the past, should be monitored more closely by your doctor. Signs of addiction include feeling compulsive about taking drugs, being unable to control how much to take, and which shows no signs of improvement.

Not considered natural treatments

If you can not take the Meds pain because side effects or are simply looking to increase their impact, taking into account alternative treatment. Clinical studies show that acupuncture, for example, pain relieves osteoarthritis, sciatica, and lower back problems. People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplements, according to a large review of recent research, the patients taking Devil's Claw, willow bark, and Cayenne for Lower pain back had improved more than those taking a placebo.

Get relief: herbal treatments are not without side-effects and can interfere with other medications, so check with your doctor before taking them. Ground for a science-based natural pain fighters top, go to prevention.com / naturalpaincures.

Numerous studies show that also mental techniques can help ease the pain. Start with some simple relaxation techniques: deep breathing practices, and strengthening and relaxation of different muscles for 15 to 20 minutes each day. A therapist can help you find other types of relaxation, such as visualization, self-hypnosis, and biofeedback-ask your doctor for a recommendation.

You do not discuss depression

About 54 percent of people with chronic back pain suffer from depression, but only one third of them take antidepressants, according to a recent study. New brain-imaging research, however, clearly shows that our mental state is closely related to how the process make with-pain. Brain scans show that in patients with chronic pain, songs that ignite emotions are involved, not just feeling. "This means that our emotions have a profound influence on how we perceive pain, how much distress it causes, and ultimately how it affects our quality of life, 'says Portenoy.

Get relief: If you feel hopeless, sleeping more or less than usual, and gain or lose weight quickly, you could be suffering from depression. Discuss symptoms and options with your doctor, who may prescribe an antidepressant, recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or even suggest a combination of both. CBT teaches you to cope better and adjust to your pain (and even train your mind to reduce it) which helps to decrease emotional stress, which can make pain feel worse.

"There is science that shows more than the benefit of cognitive behavioral approaches there than most medicines for pain," Portenoy says. In a recent study, patients with depression and pain were randomly assigned to receive antidepressants and, after three months, were given six sessions of CBT. A year later, the intervention group were significantly less depressed and had less pain than those who were only informed that they had depressive symptoms and should seek advice about treatment. To find a specialist CBT, visit the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists to nacbt.org, for psychologists who focus on pain management, check out the AAPM website.

You don't do your own research

Doing a little digging on your own behalf you can open up new treatment options, helps reminded to ask questions and improve your sense of control over your care. Antonia Kent, 39, injured her back when she was 21 and underwent three surgeries not before deciding it's time to look into different options herself.

"I went to the library and read about my particular injury and pain treatment," says teacher from Union, NJ "It made me feel proactive, and not a victim of my Pain." Research has given her ideas about talking to doctors and therapies to try. After the third surgery, she started taking a strong medicine that turned her on her feet. Today it has a lighter product, herb supplements, and her pain is better controlled.

Get relief: specific research on your condition of patient advocacy sites Web, such as the American Pain Foundation (painfoundation.org). Also, consider subscribing local groups of chronic pain support, where you can get medical advice and share ideas about treatment.

You can find online tools and to help you decide whether to have surgery, take a special test, or continue with treatment. A good resource: Go to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Web site (dhmc.org) and search for common center of decision-making. There, you can download videos from questionnaires or borrow to help weigh the risks and benefits.