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SINGAPORE: The pain from stomach cramps or a headache can often be quickly relieved with medication. But a pain that lasts longer than three months at a stretch requires proper pain management.
Dr Tjan Soon Yin, associate consultant at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, explained that pain management refers to the relief of pain and suffering that is caused by an illness or disease.
He said: "Pain can lead to psychological distress or functional impairment that might lead some sufferers to temporarily lose their ability to work or look after themselves. These are looked into in a patient's pain management plan."
When our bodies experience pain, it's usually a warning sign that things are not quite right. Mr Laurie Farrow, occupational therapist and managing director of Health Central Occupational Therapy International, explained: "It is an alarm system that tells us that if we keep doing things the same way, the pain will increase, causing more damage."
The type of pain that requires pain management is usually chronic in nature and stems from musculoskeletal diseases (such as back and neck problems and arthritis) and neurological diseases (such as diabetic nerve damage, stroke and shingles).
According to Dr Tjan, pain management can be classified under three broad categories: Drug treatment with pain-killers like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids; interventional treatment involving surgery or spinal intervention; and active and passive participation by patients, such as exercising, learning the correct posture and acupuncture.
Most forms of pain management usually involve a combination of treatments, depending on the type of illness and the degree of pain. A patient with chronic backache brought on by a damaged intervertebral disc, for example, might require drug treatment and postural intervention in addition to surgery.
One new method of dealing with chronic pain is electromagnetic cell therapy, which strengthens muscles and regenerates cells without the need for a physical workout. This is done using non-invasive electromagnetic energy fields that mimic exercising.
According to Mr Farrow, the adaptive tissues - such as the skin, bones, ligaments, tendons and cartilage - that make up the musculoskeletal system grow stronger in response to demands placed on them from physical work. Cell therapy simulates these movements and mobilises cells in the affected areas of the body to regenerate and lay down new cellular structures in order to start the healing process. It is used to treat musculoskeletal and joint pain, inflammation and osteoarthritic conditions.
In addition to seeking professional help to manage one's pain, a patient's state of mind can also determine the outcome of his or her treatment.
Dr Tjan said: "The psychological distress that results from the pain a patient experiences might further compound the problem. In such cases, a multi-disciplinary approach involving a psychologist in the team is needed. So, patients should be conscious that the way they react and interpret their pain is also important in aiding their recovery." - TODAY/ym
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