SERIOUS INJURIES
Pain Management: Treatment Overview
Car accidents, motorcycle collisions, slip and falls, and pedestrian accidents result in a wide range of injuries. However, all of these injuries have one common symptom: pain. The duration and intensity of pain may vary amongst these injuries, but they all require some form of pain management. Regardless of severity, pain can dramatically alter your quality of life, requiring extensive pain management, time missed from work, and avoiding certain physical and strenuous activities. The experienced attorneys at Slatter Law Firm will aggressively fight to recover the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Pain can be chronic or acute, such as pain resulting from an accident or fall. Pain management aims to reduce pain through various treatment modalities. Below is a description of these modalities.
The type of medication recommended by your doctor depends on the intensity of your pain. Mild pain is generally treated with over the counter (OTC) medication, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and topical painkillers. If this medication does not provide pain relief, your doctor may prescribe stronger medication, such as muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety medication, antidepressants, prescription NSAIDs, or painkillers. Alternatively, your doctor may recommend a nerve block, which is an injection of a nerve-numbing medication into a particular area of the body.
An epidural is an injection of an anesthetic, analgesic, steroids, or anti-inflammatory medications into the space around the spinal cord, which is called the epidural space. The purpose of an epidural is to provide prolonged pain relief and reduce inflammation and swelling in the areas surrounding the spinal nerve roots. The pain relief generally lasts several months. Epidurals relieve pain in the neck, arms, back, and legs that are caused by inflamed spinal nerves due to a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Therapy (TENS) utilizes electrical stimulation to reduce pain. This therapy involves sending a mild electric current to electrodes placed near the location of your pain. The electric current stimulates the nerve cells near the pain source, thereby modifying the brain’s perception of pain. This therapy is typically used to treat back, neck, and knee pain.
Physical therapy utilizes specialized exercises and stretches to reduce pain and restore mobility, strength, and function. Your physical therapist may also use electrical stimulation, hot packs, cold compresses, and ultrasound. This treatment modality is a conservative and a non-surgical treatment option.
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that involves inserting thin needles in strategic places in your body. Acupuncture decreases pain by increasing endorphins, which block the signal of pain sent to the brain. Acupuncture is typically used to treat headaches, low back pain, neck pain, and knee pain. This treatment modality is often used in conjunction with other pain management techniques.
Chiropractic treatment is a common non-surgical treatment option. This treatment effectively addresses neck and back pain. Chiropractic treatment involves a chiropractor uses his or her hands or a special instrument to manipulate the spine. The goal of this treatment is not only to reduce pain, but to restore spinal motion and function.
Massage is another common non-surgical treatment option. Massage is particularly used to address neck and back pain by reducing tension and increasing blood flows in these areas.
Overall, pain management is a conservative and effective treatment option for common injuries caused by an accident or fall. However, if your pain and other symptoms persist despite this treatment, your doctor many recommend more aggressive treatment, such as surgery. As such, medical treatment of your injuries can be extensive and expensive. However, California entitles you to recover compensation for this treatment if your injuries were caused by another person or business’ negligence. This is why it is important to retain an experienced personal injury attorney, who will maximize your compensation for your injuries.
Contact Us Today
Contact a Los Angeles personal injury attorney today if you or a loved one was involved in an accident involving a dangerous road condition. Slatter Law Firm has been helping individuals injured due to car accidents and slip and falls throughout Los Angeles and Southern California for over four decades. To schedule a free consultation, call our office at (310) 405-0964 or contact us online.
Disclaimer
Slatter Law Firm are lawyers, not physicians. All content is based on our experience and not on medical education. If you are experiencing any physical injury consult with a doctor.
