Pain is complex and often difficult for patients to pinpoint. But whether it comes from arthritis, a new or old injury, or medical treatments like cancer therapy, Guardian Care patients have one thing in common: Getting their pain under control.
The goal Guardian Care’s interventional treatments is to improve function, make day-to-day activities possible, and improve overall quality of life. Physicians and Patients have a number of options to consider in the treatment of pain. Whichever treatment regime is prescribed, it is important to remember that pain is treatable.
Modern medicine continues to add to the long list of medicines and treatment therapies. However, before Guardian care can diagnose and treat your pain, it’s important to understand the different types of pain.
What are the basic types of pain?
How pain is treated depends largely upon the type of pain the patient is experiencing. While there are many sources of pain, pain specialists divide them into two basic groups, neuropathic and nociceptive pain.
Nociceptive pain
Nociceptive pain comes from tissue damage or injury, like a broken bone or a burn. With nociceptive pain, the injury transfers signals through peripheral nerves through the spinal cord to the brain. Pain signals are sent through pathways so we know when we’ve been injured.
Neuropathic pain
Diseases or damage that affects directly effects the nervous system creates neuropathic pain. This type of pain can occur spontaneously and with no obvious source. Pain that occurs after a stroke or when nerves are cut are unexpected cases of neuropathic pain. Other more common examples of neuropathic pain are shingles and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
How to Diagnose Pain
The path to a diagnosis and treatment begins with understanding where a patient is hurting.
Millions of Americans suffer from chronic headaches. Head pain is the most common location for pain in the body, and can be a symptom of many ailments.
Between general wear-and-tear and past injuries, many Americans complain of neck pain. A number of conditions can cause neck pain.
At least eighty percent of Americans suffer from back pain in their lifetimes. It is one of the most common reason that patients visit a doctor.
Elbow, Shoulder, Hip, Knee Pain
Many associate joint pain as part of the “normal” aging process. While some joint aches are certainly age-related, others can be the result of serious disease. Whatever is the cause of your joint pain, most joint problems are treatable and should be diagnosed by a health care professional.
Pain can sometimes effect the entirety of the body, impacting a person’s quality of life immensely. This kind of pain can be difficult to diagnose, as numerous conditions can cause this type of total-body pain.
Schedule an Appointment
The first step to getting your pain under control is scheduling your Guardian Care Appointment. Contact us now to speak with physician who specializes in relieving pain.
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