New Jersey pain management specialist helps patients resolve chronic pain conditions.

Pain is used by the body as a warning sign that something is wrong. Low back pain, for example, is sometimes the symptom of a herniated disc compressing the spinal nerves. These nerves then send pain signals to the brain, where the brain itself experiences the unpleasant sensation of pain.

Immediately following an injury, pain may be experienced —this type of pain is known as acute pain. Often, acute pain will subside on its own within a few hours or days with minimal treatment. However, in some instances the cause of the pain is more significant. The cause may be due to an injury to the muscle (sprain/strain), bone (fracture), spinal discs (bulges and herniations), or other areas in the tendons and ligaments.

When these types of injuries occur, it is very important to address the injury itself and not just the pain. If nothing is done to address the cause of pain, the nerve fibers that transmit acute pain signals eventually shift the burden of responsibility to slower nerve fibers, leading to a chronic pain condition.

There are a number of common symptoms for chronic pain. Often, the condition is described as a dull, achy sensation. Over time, chronic pain can cause fatigue, insomnia, withdrawal from everyday activities, a weakened immune system, depression, and anxiety.

Pain Management for Chronic Pain: Conservative Medical Care

A Physiatrist is a type of Medical Doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating both acute and chronic pain conditions related to the musculoskeletal system. The pain management specialist at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation helps those with chronic pain or disease to improve quality of life by increasing functioning and reducing pain.

A pain management specialist often works closely with other practitioners, including physical therapists, acupuncturists, and/or Chiropractic Doctors, to create and carry out plans of rehabilitation and pain management. This type of doctor also offers a variety of minimally invasive procedures—including injections of corticosteroids and/or an anesthetic numbing agent—to help patients get back on their feet and rehabilitate with physical therapy practices.

At our Red Bank, NJ rehabilitation facility, our goal is to help patients ease pain and improve quality of life through conservative methods. Essentially, this means we offer a number of healthy, effective modalities to help patients with chronic pain conditions.

Acupuncture and Chronic Pain

Patients with both acute and chronic pain are often referred to an acupuncturist for safe, effective pain management. Acupuncture is particularly relevant for chronic pain sufferers because it is also helpful in treating the emotional symptoms of chronic pain, including anxiety and depression.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that believes that all pain and disorder in the body is symptomatic of a disturbance in the natural flow of ‘Qi’ or ‘life force.’ The practice of acupuncture helps bring the body back to its natural, healthy state of balance to ease both physical and mental pain.

Through the stimulation of certain points on the body, acupuncture helps with the release of neurotransmitters such as endorphins (which produce opiate-like effects) as well those that regulate both bodily functions and mood (such as serotonin).

Chronic Pain and Physical Therapy

Because chronic pain can take many forms, physical therapy programs will vary widely between patients. Generally speaking, physical therapy for chronic pain will incorporate both passive and active treatments—all with the goal of reducing pain and getting the body moving again.

Passive treatments are designed to begin the healing process so that patients can participate in the active component of physical therapy (therapeutic exercise). At Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation, passive treatments may include deep tissue massage; hot and cold therapies; low level laser therapy; electrotherapy; and ultrasound.

During therapeutic exercise, physical therapists help chronic pain sufferers learn a number of exercises to improve strength, stability, flexibility, and range of motion. It’s important for chronic pain patients to exercise under the guidance of a physical therapist in order to avoid further damage.

Chiropractic Care for Chronic Pain Sufferers

Chronic pain is a function of the nervous system. It is obvious, then, that the health of the nervous system must be addressed in order for chronic pain sufferers to find relief. Chiropractic care is specifically geared toward ensuring the health of the spine (and therefore the nervous system). For chronic pain sufferers, chiropractic care begins with a full diagnosis to locate and then eliminate intrusions in the nervous system that may be causing pain. By fixing these intrusions, or subluxations, the body is able to heal and return to healthy, normal functioning.

The chiropractic techniques used to treat chronic pain in our Monmouth County office include the most advanced and effective methods. Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP), for example, is an innovative technique based on scientific research that ensures total postural health.

Chronic Pain Treatment at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation

All evidence indicates that people suffering from either acute or chronic pain have an obligation to themselves to seek out treatment as soon as possible. We have specifically included all of the above modalities—medical care, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic care—in one facility to make the pain management process more effective and less complicated for patients.

If you are interested in eliminating chronic pain in Monmouth County, please contact our Red Bank, New Jersey office.