8 Solutions for Chronic Pain in Indianapolis, IN

More than 6 million opioid medications were dispensed to Indiana residents in 2017 alone. While pain management pills can help alleviate symptoms, they also impose severe risks for consumers. Not only do they harbor a wide range of adverse side effects, but they’re also ineffective in treating the cause of a person’s pain. Opioids and most other painkillers only mask discomfort rather than treat it.

Supro Direct has found that a holistic approach to chronic pain treatment benefits patients more in the long run. To help keep our community safe from prescription drugs while still achieving pain relief, we’d like to share eight solutions for chronic pain in Indianapolis, IN.

8 Ways to Treat Your Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is often classified as any dull or sharp pain that lasts for 12 or more weeks. Whether your chronic pain stems from an injury, arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, or another condition, you don’t have to let it negatively impact your quality of life. Learn how to battle long-term pain with these eight alternative solutions.

1. Exercise

   It may seem counterproductive to put pressure on the troubled areas that cause your discomfort. But, you can improve blood and oxygen flow by incorporating a little movement into your day-to-day. Plus, exercise helps strengthen muscles, allowing your body to support itself better. Even a simple walk or yoga routine can help you release endorphins, and ultimately achieve both physical and mental benefits of exercise.

2. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy

   This non-invasive treatment expands and contracts your body’s cells, allowing for greater blood circulation and optimal cell energy. PEMF works in tandem with your body’s healing responses by stimulating tissue recovery. This procedure is carried out by a chronic pain doctor who emits a pulsating magnetic field around the patient. These machines are entirely safe, as the EMF is exerted at a low frequency.

3. Laser Therapy

   Low-level laser therapy is another non-invasive procedure that causes your body’s tissue to heal itself through biochemical changes. This is an effective treatment for many types of pain caused by osteoporosis, muscle strains, tendonitis, muscle spasms, and rheumatoid arthritis. Some laser therapy technology can penetrate up to five inches under the skin.

4. Massage Therapy

   Not only does massage therapy improve wellness, but it also provides great relief for chronic pain rooted in the tissue and muscles. These procedures release serotonin in the brain, which triggers an anti-pain response. Low-back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, osteoarthritis, and even headache/migraine pain are all treatable by massage therapy.

5. Psychological and Behavioral Counseling

   Chronic pain is a debilitating disease and is frequently linked to cases of anxiety, substance abuse, and even depression. The overlap in chronic pain and mental health is rooted in both psychological and biological factors. Psychological and behavioral therapy can help you learn how to cope with your pain condition, as well as how to reduce stress and anxiety.

6. Meditation and Relaxation Techniques

   While meditation may not directly reduce your chronic pain symptoms, it can help manage the mental component of the disorder. Relaxation techniques focus on calming the mind and allow patients to become more aware of their pain response and develop a higher threshold for pain perception. Yoga classes are an excellent resource for staying active and social. But, if you’d prefer to stay away from the guided class setting, you can always practice meditation in the comfort of your home.

7. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

   Injecting platelets into an affected area, otherwise known as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, is thought to regenerate tissue and promote cell repair. PRP decreases chronic pain by stimulating the body’s healing response through bioactive growth factors. This form of treatment is used to heal tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

8. Vitamins

   While vitamins may be a less conventional medication for treatment, they’ve begun to gain traction in the medical field. Chronic pain doctors are recognizing our daily supplements for their ability to reduce swelling and inflammation associated with common forms of chronic pain, such as arthritis, diabetic nerve pain, and osteoarthritis.

Above all else, it’s important to remain hopeful in your fight against chronic pain. Given the advanced conventional and alternative therapies available, there is a treatment option that is right for your needs. Supro Direct offers options for treatment of chronic pain, including PRP, PEMF, and laser therapy. We also provide guidance on weight loss management and exercise, which can significantly benefit those with pain. Schedule an appointment with one of our physicians to learn more about our chronic pain solutions and to meet with our skilled pain management doctors.