Pain has been a huge topic of discussion for a long time. Nearly everyone feels it, and it varies in character and severity depending on what part of the body is involved. None of us like being in pain, so the first thing we usually do is look for a solution.
It can be a bit of a minefield knowing where to go for good pain relief. Some of us want a quick fix. Others are more interested in fixing the problem long term.
When it comes to the body, we usually feel pain because it is sending us a signal that something is not quite right. That might be due to a simple muscle imbalance or joint restriction, which changes the way we walk or run. It might also be due to something more serious, like a tear of a muscle or tendon, or a problem with an organ deep inside the body. The list of causes is long and complex.
Once we have pain, we want to know how to get rid of it. Many of us turn to the experts, such as manual therapists (like your local osteopath) and doctors. Some of us like to self?diagnose using “Dr Internet” (do this at your peril!).
So, what is out there to help relieve pain?
Manual therapy
Humans have been using their hands to treat the body for a very long time. If you walk into a clinic in pain, whether you have a swollen ankle or you cannot lift your arm above your head, your therapist will get to work using a range of techniques (after carefully and correctly diagnosing you, of course).
Soft tissue massage and release techniques are widely used in the management of musculoskeletal pain, and evidence suggests you are not wasting your time by getting help from your local therapist.
Your therapist may also use other techniques, including joint mobilisation and manipulation, to help correct the problem and reduce your pain. Usually, you will also be given flexibility or strengthening exercises to perform between treatment sessions to back up what happens in the treatment room.
Heat and cold therapy
If you have hurt yourself in the past, there is a good chance you have tried some form of temperature?based treatment to help relieve the pain. It can be difficult to know whether it is best to use heat or cold therapy, but the following principles are generally safe to follow.
Cold therapy can help reduce pain, blood flow, swelling, muscle spasm, and inflammation. Heat therapy can help relieve pain, increase blood flow, and improve tissue elasticity.
Although more evidence is needed to fully support the use of these therapies in certain scenarios, they may help. It is worth getting advice from your local osteopath about the best approach for you.
Medication
There are countless different medications that can help with pain relief. These are called analgesics. Broadly, they can be split into non?opioid and opioid analgesics.
Non?opioid analgesics include well?known and easily accessible medications such as aspirin, paracetamol, and anti?inflammatories (such as ibuprofen). These are generally useful for the control of musculoskeletal pain. Opioid analgesics are used for more severe pain and include codeine, tramadol, and morphine. These are not available over the counter. It is always safest to consult a medical professional before using any form of medication.
When to seek help
If you are injured or in pain, we recommend booking a consultation at Ascot Vale Osteopathy HERE. We can talk through your problem, assess you thoroughly, and advise the best course of action for you.
Our aim is to help get you out of pain and moving better again.
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