The goal of pain management is to improve your quality of life by helping you manage chronic pain. While treatment may not completely take your pain away, it can reduce it to a level that allows you to return to daily activities and the things you enjoy.
Your care plan will depend on the type of pain you have and any underlying disease or condition. At Banner Health, your pain management team will explain all treatment options and review the potential risks and benefits with you.
Physical therapy is often the first step in managing pain. It helps build strength and endurance, and in many cases can reduce or resolve pain without the need for further treatment.
Your physical therapist may use equipment such as a stationary bike or recommend activities like swimming or water aerobics. You may also work with an occupational therapist who can help you relearn daily activities. A physiatrist - a doctor who specializes in rehabilitation - may also guide your therapy plan.
If physical therapy does not provide enough relief, medications may be prescribed. These medicines can help block pain, decrease inflammation or address related issues. In some cases, more than one medication may be used.
At Banner Health, we work to minimize reliance on long-term medication. Opioid pain medicines, when used for extended periods, can lead to tolerance (needing higher doses for the same effect) or dependence (needing to taper off to avoid withdrawal). These are normal physical responses and are not the same as addiction.
In some cases, interventional procedures are combined with medical therapy. These may include:
To minimize discomfort, Banner Health uses local anesthesia and conscious sedation during injections. These procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis at the hospital, often with X-ray guidance for precision. Treatments may be scheduled in a series, spaced three to four weeks apart, depending on your response.
Some Banner Health locations offer integrative therapies to support pain management. These may include:
Pain management classes or group therapy are also available at select facilities. These programs provide education and teach techniques such as guided imagery, biofeedback and progressive relaxation.
Your team may also recommend psychological support, which can include talk therapy or other treatments to address the mental health challenges that can worsen physical pain.
In more severe cases, when other options are not effective, surgery may be considered.
If you need surgery, you may be given short-term pain relief through a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) system.
A PCA system includes:
The pump is preset by your care team to ensure you receive only the safe amount of medication your doctor has ordered. This system gives you more control while keeping you safe.
You don’t have to live with uncontrolled pain. At Banner Health, our pain management specialists are here to create a care plan that works for you.
Schedule an appointment with a pain management specialist today.
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