Pain management techniques are an integrated medical strategy aimed at alleviating acute and chronic pain and improving patients' quality of life. This approach combines medications, physical therapy, psychological interventions, and interventional surgeries to develop personalized plans tailored to different types of pain. The core objectives are to control pain intensity, prevent chronicity, and restore patients' daily functions.
The treatment process is typically divided into three stages: acute phase primarily involves analgesic medications; subacute phase incorporates physical therapy; and chronic phase requires the integration of psychological support and behavioral therapy. The medical team adjusts treatment combinations dynamically based on the cause, location, and severity of the pain.
Pharmacological treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and nerve blockers, which reduce pain by suppressing inflammatory responses or modulating nerve conduction. For example, COX-2 inhibitors selectively block prostaglandin synthesis, reducing gastrointestinal side effects.
Physical therapy includes heat therapy, electrical stimulation, and vibration therapy, which promote local circulation through heat or electrical currents to block pain nerve transmission. Interventional treatments such as nerve block injections involve directly injecting steroids or local anesthetics into the pain source area.
Suitable for managing acute and chronic pain, including post-surgical pain, cancer pain, neuropathic pain, and musculoskeletal pain. Common symptoms such as sciatica, fibromyalgia, and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis are also applicable.
Particularly effective for chronic pain patients, it can effectively control daily pain scores (VAS) and reduce dependence on opioids. It also shows significant improvement in metabolic pain conditions such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Pharmacological treatments follow a stepwise approach: the first step involves NSAIDs; the second adds weak opioids; the third uses potent opioids. For example, celecoxib is commonly prescribed at 200mg once daily, often combined with gastric protective agents.
Physical therapy is usually conducted 2-3 times per week, each session lasting 30-60 minutes. Interventional treatments like steroid injections can be performed every 3-6 months, with site and dosage evaluated by specialists.
Long-term follow-up shows that integrated pain management can reduce pain recurrence rates by 30-50% and enhance patients' daily activity capabilities. Psychological therapy combinations can also concurrently improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Medications may cause gastrointestinal irritation, liver and kidney dysfunction, and long-term use of opioids carries addiction risks. Local injections may lead to nerve damage or infection, requiring strict sterile procedures.
Heat therapy in physical treatment may cause skin burns, and electrical stimulation should be avoided in patients with arrhythmias. Psychological therapies may trigger underlying psychological trauma and should be conducted by professional counselors.
Contraindications include uncontrolled bleeding tendencies, severe cardiopulmonary insufficiency where anticoagulants are contraindicated, and local infections at injection sites.
In elderly patients, NSAID use requires renal function monitoring; pregnant women should avoid certain opioids. Detailed pain diaries and imaging examinations are necessary before treatment.
Combining NSAIDs with anticoagulants increases bleeding risk; dosage adjustments or use of COX-2 selective inhibitors are recommended. Electrical stimulation should be avoided in patients with pacemakers or other cardiac devices.
Traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture can synergize with drug treatments, but attention should be paid to the timing of acupuncture and Western medical injections. Psychological therapies should be coordinated with the pharmacological effects over time.
Randomized controlled trials show that multimodal therapy can reduce pain scores by an average of 40-60%. Interventional nerve blocks for trigeminal neuralgia have an effectiveness rate of 70-85%, with effects lasting 3-6 months.
Systematic reviews confirm that patients combining cognitive-behavioral therapy experience a 45% reduction in pain recurrence after six months. Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies show a significant decrease in activity in pain-related brain regions post-treatment.
Non-drug alternatives include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and spinal cord stimulator implantation. Alternative medications include gabapentin for neuropathic pain or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to alleviate depression associated with chronic pain.
Complementary Chinese medicine methods such as acupoint injections or herbal patches can assist with specific musculoskeletal pains. Emerging stem cell therapies show potential in repairing nerve damage but are not yet widely available.
It is recommended to wear loose clothing to expose the acupuncture sites and avoid treatment on an empty stomach or immediately after a full meal. Patients should inform the doctor of current medications and allergies, especially blood-thinning drugs that may increase bleeding risk. First-time patients can discuss pain tolerance with the doctor to adjust needle depth accordingly.
Is skin redness or a mild burning sensation normal after moxibustion?Redness or warmth after moxibustion is normal and usually subsides within 1-2 hours. If redness persists beyond 24 hours, develops blisters, or causes severe pain, stop treatment and seek medical attention. Avoid water contact within 4 hours post-treatment and apply hypoallergenic skincare products if needed.
What dietary restrictions should be observed during traditional Chinese pain management?It is advised to reduce intake of cold, spicy foods, and alcohol to avoid affecting Qi flow or increasing internal heat. After cupping, avoid cold foods for 48 hours; after moxibustion, avoid cold foods immediately. A high-fiber diet and adequate hydration can enhance metabolism and accelerate therapeutic effects.
How long does it typically take for Chinese pain treatments to show effects?Patients with acute pain may notice significant improvement after 3-5 sessions, while chronic pain requires 8-12 weeks of continuous therapy. Frequency depends on symptom severity, initially 2-3 times weekly, then transitioning to biweekly follow-ups. The physician will adjust the plan based on pain severity, duration, and individual differences.
What interactions should be considered when combining Chinese medicine with Western analgesics?Inform your doctor when using Western pain medications concurrently to avoid interactions, such as herbal ingredients like licorice affecting blood pressure when combined with steroids, or blood-invigorating herbs increasing bleeding risk with anticoagulants. Adjustments to herbal formulas or timing of medication intake may be recommended, including stopping non-essential pain medications 4 hours before treatment.
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