According to research conducted by the American Chiropractic Association, back pain affects a staggering 80% of the American population at some point in their lives. Additionally, a whopping 65 million people report that their pain is severe enough to disrupt their daily routines and decrease their overall quality of life. Despite these alarming statistics, medical advancements in recent years have resulted in innovative new ways to diagnose and treat body pain. Diagnosing the problem offers half the solution, and almost 60% of Americans with common body pain report seeing up to five doctors in an unsuccessful attempt to diagnose their problem.
Visit wellnessandpain.com to learn about the eight most effective types of treatment for body pain, which consist of two categories: diagnostic treatments and curative treatments. Diagnostic treatments employ cutting-edge technology to pinpoint the source and location of the problem, while curative treatments eliminate the issue identified by diagnostic treatments. Familiarizing yourself with the available options for both diagnostic and curative treatments can help you make the most informed decision about how to live a pain-free life.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the eight treatment options.
Table of Contents
Diagnostic treatments for body pains
NCV & EMG Tests
A Nerve Condition Velocity test (NCV) is often prescribed alongside an Electromyography (EMG) to determine the condition of your nerves and muscles.
An NCV test identifies nerve damage by sending a mild electrical shock to stimulate your nerves; the doctor measures how fast the impulse travels and uses this information to gauge the level of nerve function. An EMG, on the other hand, utilizes special needle electrodes to determine the level of activity in a static muscle.
Venous Mapping Ultrasound
A venous mapping ultrasound can help determine the cause of unexplained physical limitations and aches.
Getting a venous mapping test can help detect issues related to blood circulation, which is usually the underlying cause of unexplained body pain and symptoms like stiff and swollen feet. The procedure is quick, painless, and non-invasive.
Curative Treatment Options for Common Body Pains
Orthopedic care
Orthopedic care is an umbrella term for a range of treatments, including physical therapy, medication, and surgical intervention.
Orthopedic care prevents, diagnoses, and treats musculoskeletal conditions by employing medical, surgical, and therapeutic solutions to help reduce pain, promote muscle function, and improve your quality of life. **Orthopedic care is great for hand and foot injuries, sports-related injuries, and injuries caused by trauma.
Massage therapy
Massage therapy has been practiced in Eastern and many other forms of alternative medicine for centuries. Now it’s even more helpful because of equipment used in massage salons. It is a non-invasive procedure that involves the manual stimulation of muscles, fascia, ligaments, tendons, and joints to relieve pain, reduce stress, and promote overall wellness.
In a 2017 study involving 31 males, researchers proved the effectiveness of massage therapy in managing arthritis-related pain by signing each patient up for 10 30-minute massage sessions for two weeks.
Trigger point injections
A trigger point is an area where muscle fibers have tightened or knotted up, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. If left untreated, it may lead to a condition called myofascial pain syndrome. With trigger point injections (TPIs), the doctor isolates the area and injects medication directly into the site to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility.
From neck to back pain, TPIs can be used deployed to treat pain in several areas and sessions typically last 15 – 20 minutes. Trigger point injections are also considered safe with almost no reports of users having adverse side effects.
Acupuncture
Originating in China over 2000 years ago, Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into the body at specific locations (called meridians).
Acupuncture aims to treat common body pains by stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities and restoring its natural flow of energy.
IV hydration
In an IV hydration procedure, the doctor will directly administer fluids that may contain nutrients, vitamins, and electrolytes into the patient’s bloodstream. Iv hydration is usually used to treat dehydration but can also be used to relieve headaches, muscle pain, and joint pain.
Vessel ablation
If you constantly suffer from leg cramps, swollen feet, back pain, or frequent Charley Horses, vessel ablation may be a great solution to consider.
Also called endovascular or radiofrequency ablation, vessel ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat chronic pain caused by damaged nerves and clogged vessels or veins. It utilizes radiofrequency waves or laser heat to target affected areas and recirculate blood through open channels.
The process generally takes 8 – 10 minutes, promises a quick recovery period, and can be performed under local anesthesia with minimal scarring.
Body pain can be a life-altering condition, nevertheless, it doesn’t have to reduce the quality of your life.