How to Manage Chronic Pain in the Elderly
Chronic pain is very difficult to live with, no matter your age. Not only does it take a toll on your physical well-being, but it also affects your mental and emotional health. While our bodies and minds can eventually be accustomed to living with this sort of pain, it really never goes away, and we begin to wonder what kinds of techniques are available to manage the pain and allow us to live a relatively normal life. Sadly, pain management isn't as clear-cut as a lot of other conditions, since both the causes and the treatments can be numerous. For the best results of managing chronic pain in the elderly, you'll need to use some trial and error to find what will work for the individual. Most of the time, it will be a combination of treatments that will bring about the most relief.
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Things You'll Need
- Physician
- Physical therapist
- Massage therapist
- Chiropractor
- OTC medication
- Prescription medication
- Topical cream
- Steroid injections
- TENS machine
Instructions
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Consult a physician. The first method of managing chronic pain in the elderly (or any other individual of a younger age) is to consult a medical professional. This is largely due to the wide array of causes of chronic pain and the prescription medications, like painkillers, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory medications and other prescription drugs, that can be used to lessen pain and discomfort.
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Start taking an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen to manage the chronic pain. For milder chronic pain, some people can experience relief with this type of nonprescription medication, especially when the pain is related to inflammation.
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Try using a topical cream that is often used to treat muscle pain and even arthritis. Many times, a simple topical lotion, ointment or cream can be used in combination with either prescription or nonprescription medications to treat and manage chronic pain.
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Talk to your doctor about steroid injections. Many people have found relief from chronic pain through the injection of steroids at the actual source of their pain, namely in the joints. Usually, it will entail a series of injections to the location to find significant relief.
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Invest in a TENS machine, which is Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device. This contraption emits electrical impulses to the area of pain, stimulating the muscles and nerves, giving the person relief.
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Take part in physical therapy. Depending on the cause or reason of the chronic pain, an elder may be able to use physical therapy as another mode of chronic pain management. A therapist would use certain techniques and exercises to improve a person's mobility and strengthen the area of injury, if this is the cause of the pain.
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Use exercise, like swimming, walking, biking or even yoga, as a form of pain management. According to the Mayo Clinic, by toning and strengthening the muscles, an elder can become more flexible and lessen the pain she is currently experiencing. It's really the most natural form of managing chronic pain.
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Test acupuncture, massage or chiropractic care to manage pain. Many times, alternative forms of treatments can be very beneficial for elderly adults dealing with chronic pain. Much like any other form of treatment, you'll need to try it out before knowing if it will work for you.
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Tips & Warnings
Before starting any treatment, especially for chronic pain, make sure to tell your doctor or therapist of all medications and supplements you are currently taking for any other condition. This can dictate the most appropriate course of treatment.
