Pain : Types and Management Techniques

Nobody wants to be in physical pain. As there are many types of pains, there are many types of treatments. Though pain is a very common symptom almost everyone experiences sometime in their lives, it is highly misunderstood, underestimated and poorly treated.

Pain management is an important aspect towards healthier lifestyle. To understand pain management, it is essential to be aware of the types of pain.

What are types of pain ?

Pain is usually the unpleasant sensation in the body. There are eight different categories of pain.

1. Acute pain.

2. Chronic pain

3. Breakthrough pain

4. Bone pain

5. Nerve pain

6. Phantom pain

7. Soft tissue pain

8. Referred pain.

1. Acute Pain

Acute pain is the unpleasant sension in your body which starts suddenly and lasts over a short time span.

Examples of acute pain are as follows:

1. A broken bone

2. A car crash or other type of accident

3. A fall

4. Burns or cuts

5. Dental work

6. Labor and childbirth

7. Surgery.

2. Chronic pain

Pain sustaining for longer period of time is categorised as chronic pain. It might start as acute pain eventually transforming into chronic pain. Usually chronic pain lasts more than six months.

Examples of Chronic pain are as follows :

1. Arthritis

2. Back pain

3. Cancer

4. Circulation problems

5. Diabetes

6. Fibromyalgia

7. Headache.

3. Breakthrough Pain

Also called as pain flare. Breakthrough pain is a sudden, sharp and short increase in pain. Paintents getting treatment for existing chronic pain may experience breakthrough pain. It might also occur with illness, stress, exercising or other activities like coughing, sneezing, defeacating etc.

4. Bone Pain

Bone pain is commonly associated with conditions or diseases that affect the structure or function of bone, such as cancer, a fracture (broken bone), infection, leukemia, mineral deficiency, sickle cell anemia, or osteoporosis. Many pregnant women experience pelvic girdle pain.

Bone pain can be described as tenderness, discomfort or aching in the bones while exercising as well as resting.

5. Nerve Pain

Pain caused by nerve damage or inflammation is never pain. It can be described as a sharp, shooting, burning or stabbing pain and may also be called neuralgia or neuropathic pain. Some people describe it as being like an electric shock and it is often worse at night.

6. Phantom Pain

Phantom pain is pain that feels like it is coming from a body part that is no longer there. It is common in people who have had a limb amputated, but is different from phantom limb sensation, which is usually painless.

Historically, Doctors believed phantom pain was a psychological problem but they now realise these are real pain sensations that originate in the spinal cord and brain. It often gets better with time, but managing phantom pain can be challenging in some people.

7. Soft Tissue Pain

Unpleasant sensation resulting from damage or inflammation of the muscles, tissues, or ligaments is known as soft tissue pain.

Examples of soft tissue pain :

1. Back or neck pain

2. Bursitis

3. Fibromyalgia

4. Rotator cuff injury

5. Sciatic pain

6. Sports injuries, such as sprains or strain

7. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.

8. Referred Pain

This is pain that feels like it is coming from one particular location, but is the result of an injury or inflammation in another structure or organ. Referred pain happens because there is a network of interconnecting sensory nerves, that supply many different tissues. An injury in one area of the network can be mistakenly interpreted by the brain as being in a different part of the network.

What is pain management ?

Pain management is an aspect of medicine and health care involving relief of pain (pain relief, analgesia, pain control) in various dimensions, from acute and simple to chronic and challenging.

Key pain management strategies include:

1. Pain Medicines

When a patient’s pain is not treatable by lifestyle changes, a pain management specialist has many other options available. Many types and levels of medication are available: from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for mild pain to narcotics like morphine and oxycodone for more debilitating pain. In some cases antidepressants may be prescribed, particularly in cases where nerve damage is suspected. Occasionally the physician may also include corticosteroid injections to relieve any inflammation that is causing pain. There are now implants that can routinely deliver drugs to a patient who is experiencing spine pain.

2. Physical Therapies (such as heat or cold packs, massage, hydrotherapy and exercise)

Heat and ice packs. Ice calms inflammation. Heat warms up your muscles so they move better. Both can help with pain.

Massage. Keep in mind that a massage on areas that are injured, sore, or hurt may not feel relaxing. But your therapist will take great care to make sure it’s safe and helpful for you.

Pain relief exercises. These moves target areas where you have pain, so you're stronger and more flexible -- which should make it easier to live your life.

Stretching. This will be gentle, and your therapist will make sure that you're warmed up and you don’t stretch too far.

3. Psychological Therapies (such as cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation techniques and meditation)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a method that can help manage problems by changing the way patients would think and behave. It is not designed to remove any problems but help manage them in a positive manner.

Relaxation is usually used in conjunction with other treatment modalities and can take on a number of forms such as spiritual or non-spiritual meditation, progressive relaxation or muscular contraction and relaxation, even imagery.

4. Mind and Body techniques (such as acupuncture)

Acupuncture has been demonstrated to enhance endogenous opiates, such as dynorphin, endorphin, encephalin, and release corticosteroids, relieving pain and enhancing the healing process. It involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues throughout the body with the goal of alleviating pain, tension, and stress. There are associated risks; however, serious side effects are rare. When compared to traditional methods of pain management, more studies are warranted in order to establish the efficacy of acupuncture and its place in pain management.