Ditch the medications and consider alternatives to manage pain – CapeGazette.com

Living with pain is an unfortunate reality for many people. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates one in five Americans has chronic pain which often limits their ability to work or do daily activities.

Increasing awareness about alternative therapies that can help control pain, aside from pain medications, is vital, said Ganesh Balu, MD, a Bayhealth doctor who specializes in pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and opiate dependence and addiction. This is particularly true given that reliance on prescription painkillers is a contributing factor in the opioid problem that continues to worsen in Delaware and nationwide.

Balu and his team members recommend a multidisciplinary treatment approach for people who have chronic pain or are struggling with opioid use disorder. Their integrated, comprehensive pain therapy practice was selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as a Value in Treatment program geared toward improving healthcare access and outcomes for individuals with OUD, and reducing the strain of this medical condition on healthcare systems on a nationwide basis. They also are part of Delawares Office-Based Opioid Treatment Fellowship Program, which supports the safe use of medications to treat opioid use disorder in outpatient settings.

Its important to look at all the pieces of the puzzle when treating patients with OUD or chronic pain, said Balu. Care that is integrated and holistic is very beneficial, and there are many types of therapies that can help and improve your quality of life.

There are number of non-medication methods to lessen pain through minimally or non-invasive treatments, said Balu. These include timely use of various injection therapies like epidurals and nerve blocks, and neuromodulation procedures such as spinal cord stimulation. These interventions also work to reduce opiate dependency.

Physical therapy and therapeutic exercise have long been recommended by doctors to help treat the sources of many kinds of pain as well as improve mobility and function. Balu noted that other types of therapies play equally important roles in pain management chiropractic care, acupuncture, laser and massage are just a few. While each has unique methodologies and is tailored to a persons individual needs, they all help reduce tension in the body and stimulate healing.

Balu emphasized that the mind-body connection is important in addressing ones awareness of pain and the bodys responses. Yoga is considered a type of therapy that positively impacts both physical and mental health. Along with gentle stretching that is good for the body, yoga uses breathing and meditation, which encourage relaxation, help release negative energy, and teach mindfulness, which in turn may reduce ones perception of pain. Its helpful for someone whos had an injury or suffers from chronic pain. Since it reduces stress and enhances overall well-being, it is a lifestyle-enhancing practice for anyone.

Counseling is another therapeutic way to manage pain. The same parts of the brain are stimulated by emotional and physical pain, so it makes sense that treating both aspects is beneficial.

For anyone dealing with substance abuse or addiction, counseling is a critical step, Balu said. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one specific approach, and transcranial magnetic stimulation is another. TMS is an FDA-approved treatment for major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder that has also been shown to be effective in reducing pain in some patients who suffer from depression secondary to chronic pain.

Any of these interventions, often used in combination with one another, can benefit patients while avoiding the risks of opioid addiction, he said. When we take a humanistic and compassionate approach to pain management, and patients keep an open mind, there is hope toward keeping pain under control and living a healthier life.

Community members who are looking for specialists to meet their needs may go to Bayhealth.org/Find-A-Doc or call Bayhealths physician referral line available 24/7 at 1-866-BAY-DOCS (229-3627).

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Ditch the medications and consider alternatives to manage pain - CapeGazette.com