Every year, more than 8.6 millions sport-related injuries are reported in North America. Although recovery times can vary, some victims suffer lifelong complications.
Do you live with chronic pain after a sports injury? Is acute pain a sudden occurrence?
These debilitating conditions can make it difficult for many to live a normal life. Prescription drugs can be used to relieve symptoms when surgery is not an option.
Nearly 2,000,000 people in North America are dependent on prescription painkillers. Keep reading if you don’t want to fall into this category.
This article will answer the question “What pain management does for me?” and explain your options.
How chronic pain can impact your daily life
You may believe that your injury has healed once the shock and complications have subsided. Your injury may cause chronic pain that can last for years or even a lifetime.
The most common injuries in sports are the musculoskeletal. They can be caused by a variety of methods, including direct trauma (e.g. contusions, lacerations and fractures), and indirect injuries (related some underlying medical conditions like neurological dysfunctions or ischemia).
These four phases overlap in the healing cascade: Hemostasis (Hemostasis), Inflammatory (Proliferative), and Maturation.
Phase 1: Hemostasis Phase
Hemostasis is the first stage of healing. It begins when an injury occurs and ends when the goal is to stop bleeding. This phase is when the body activates the blood clotting system and forms a dam that blocks the flow. To stop further bleeding, blood clots form during this phase.
Phase 2: Defensive/Inflammatory Phase
If Phase 1 is primarily about prevention bleeding, the second phase, called the Defensive/Inflammatory Phase, focuses on destroying bacteria and removing debris–essentially preparing the wound bed for the growth of new tissue.
Phase 2 is when blood immune cells enter the wound to kill bacteria and remove any debris. These cells are often at their highest within 24 to 48 hours of injury and then decrease in number significantly after three days. To facilitate tissue repair, white blood cells secrete growth factors and protein that attract immune system cells. This phase can last from four to six days, and is often accompanied by erythema (reddening the skin), heat, and pain.
Research has shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), lateality, and naproxen can interfere with the phase 2 healing process. [1]
Phase 3: The Proliferative Phase
After the wound has been cleaned, it enters Phase 3 (the Proliferative Phase), where the goal is to cover and fill the wound.
The Proliferative phase includes three distinct phases: filling the wound, contraction of the wound margins and covering the wound (epithelialization).
The first stage is when shiny, red, granulation tissue covers the wound bed with connective tissues. New blood vessels are also formed. The Proliferative stage can last anywhere from 4 to 24 days.
Phase 4: The Maturation Phase
The Maturation phase is when the tissue gradually gains strength and flexibility. The Maturation phase is where collagen fibers are reorganized, the tissue remodels, matures, and there is an overall improvement in tensile strength (though the maximum strength is only 80% of pre-injured strength). The length of the Maturation phase can vary from wound to wound and may last anywhere from 21 days up to two years.
Remodeling creates new muscle fibers, which are less strong than the original ones. The scar tissue that is formed is always mechanically inferior and less capable of performing the same functions as normal muscle fibers. It is also more vulnerable to injury recurrence. Fibrosis can cause a delay in recovery.
Chronic pain can be caused by insufficient or delayed wound healing, as well as changes in the local musculoskeletal system.
It can make it difficult to do daily tasks and sleep well at night. This can lead to pain that has a negative impact on your quality of life. Prescription opioids are often used to relieve pain. These painkillers only mask the pain and do not provide a long-term solution.
BeWell Clinic offers a dual approach to pain relief, which includes both therapeutic and healing treatments.
Understanding your pain management options will help you live a better life and provide long-term relief.
Options for Pain Management
Let’s not rush to get under the knife and grab the pills bottle before we look at other pain management options that are less invasive.
Trigger Point Therapy
Are you suffering from tight (or old scar) muscles that won’t let go?
These trigger points are the basis of therapy and can be helpful.
This is a technique that injects anesthesia directly into the trigger points using a small needle. These injections help to ease pain and trigger healing.
Many times, pain relief can be sustained for long periods of time. In this case, the patient is given injections once a week for a few months.
Once you have stabilized your pain, you can spread the injections further. Maintenance shots are only required four times per year.
Trigger point injections can be used to release muscle spasms and increase circulation around the affected area. They also help to dissolve muscular scars. The treatment results can be enhanced by TPI when combined with rehabilitation and physiotherapy.
Trigger point injections have the advantage of being painless. The injection site may feel tender to the touch, but this should disappear in a few days. The chronic pain response to treatment will usually begin within 24 hours. Gradual pain relief should then occur.
The most common use of TPI is to alleviate pain in the lower/upper back/neck, arms, or legs. TPI can be used to treat tension headaches, fibromyalgia and myofascial painful syndrome.
This is one of the most pain-free and least risky methods of managing your pain.
K-Laser Therapy
K–Laser therapy is another minimally-invasive option. Also known as High Power Laser Therapy, it’s also a treatment option. This form of pain management has a number of benefits. It provides relief and speeds up the healing process.
K-Laser therapy targets damaged tissue using light wavelengths. The treatment involves wavelengths of light passing through the skin into your muscles cells. This triggers photobiostimulation.
This therapy is completely painless. Some patients experience a warm, relaxing sensation with no recovery time.
A handheld laser is used by medical professionals to treat the area. Depending on the condition, treatments can take anywhere from 30 seconds up to 9 minutes.
This triggers your body’s natural regenerative capabilities, releasing endorphins to stimulate collagen production. Any damaged or injured tissue will now heal naturally. The patient will experience less swelling, stiffness, spasms, long-term pain relief, and less stiffness.
This wavelength therapy can also stimulate all cell types, which is a benefit for people suffering from various injuries or illnesses. K-Laser therapy is able to treat any type of injury, including those that have damaged soft tissue, nerves and ligaments. K-Laser therapy can also address all types of pain, including acute, chronic, superficial, deep, and even severe.
Are you unsure if K-Laser therapy might be right for your needs? This method of pain management can be used by patients of all ages and body types, as well as genders, skin tones, and body sizes. K-Laser therapy is effective for treating common conditions such as back and neck pain, tendonitis and burns.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a popular form of pain management, especially for sports injuries. This therapy includes massage, heat therapy, exercise, and many other techniques. The goal of physiotherapy, is to restore and maintain mobility and function.
Massage is a popular type of physiotherapy. It’s relaxing and efficient, but only for a short time. Massage is not a long-term treatment and can be costly.
Even if you are recovering from an injury, exercise should be part of your daily routine. To promote flexibility and blood circulation, it is important to maintain a healthy weight. Your current pain management plan can be supported by physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Thermostats for Cold and Heat
You’ve probably used heat or ice to relieve pain from a sports injury or chronic pain. Both offer different relief methods.
Cold therapy can help reduce pain and shrink nerves that could be causing you discomfort. This is a popular treatment for acute injuries that cause swelling and inflammation. However, heat can be used to reduce muscle stiffness and soreness.
Mind-Body Techniques
The theory of mind vs. is stronger than most people realize. An holistic approach to pain management requires a strong mind-body connection.
Mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises are all popular techniques. Strong mind-body connections can help patients regain control of their bodies and speed up the healing process.
Reduced stress is another benefit. Extreme stress can cause muscle tension, pain, tension headaches, and increased muscle tension.
Yoga and Pilates
Two of the most popular exercises to reduce pain and speed up recovery are yoga and Pilates. Both practices are focused on relaxation and flexibility and can help to loosen muscles and promote healing.
These exercises, like the mind-body techniques discussed earlier, are heavily focused on breathing. You can lengthen, stretch, strengthen, and strengthen your muscles by gentle movements.
The Healing Side of Pain Management
Chronic pain management is more than just managing the symptoms. It also includes healing. It is one thing to help ease your pain, but it is far more important to address the root cause.
A quick fix approach to pain management is not what you want. You’re making a long-term investment in your health by focusing on healing and not just treating your pain.
BeWell Medical Clinic has the doctors that can help you regain your control over your life. They combine pain management therapy with a holistic approach to healing. This includes managing the ups, downs, and pain management.
Remember that pain management can be a long-term struggle for many people. While there will be moments of victory and prolonged relief, there are likely to be missteps.
You can rely on our qualified team to support you during the healing process.
How to create a pain management plan
It’s crucial to have a pain management plan before you can start your journey to pain relief. Talking with a doctor can help you to understand your options.
The healthcare professional will first assess your current condition, including the time it started, possible causes, as well as the type of discomfort.
Are you experiencing pain from a recent injury, or an underlying medical condition that is causing it? What type of pain do you experience?
Although you may not be able to answer these questions, a trained professional can provide specific information about your condition. The professional will make a recommendation about the best therapy for you.
To help identify patterns, the medical team might ask you to keep a pain diary . This journal is a great way to monitor your body’s response. After your body has responded positively to therapy, you can discuss your maintenance plan with your healthcare professional.