If you have persistent or unexplained pain, it is important to discuss these concerns with your doctor. The information in this post is presented for educational purposes only, and should not be used to replace standard medical care.
Conventional Treatments
Physiotherapy
Pain may not necessarily correlate with the degree of physical damage. However, poor movement patterns and imbalances may cause the body to reduce further harm to itself by causing pain [R].
Exercise and movements help ensure that injuries heal in a way that restores functional ability [74]. Lack of movements can reduce mobility and strength after the injuries heal.
Physical therapy involves [R, R]:
- Exercise: For some patients, exercise can help manage pain. It strengthens bones and muscles, and improves mood, self-esteem, physical capacity, and decreases stress [R].
- Corrective movements, such as strengthening muscles around the injured areas, improving postures, and correcting poor movement patterns, can help reduce pain [R].
- Massage therapy reduced pain sensitivity at tender points by relaxing muscle tissues and also reduces stress by increasing oxytocin [R].
- Education and advice can help individuals understand their condition and make the best decisions addressing their issues [R].
- Mobility aids can assist in a patient’s balance and maintain motor functions [R].
Physiotherapy should be carefully overseen by a medical professional.
Painkillers
Painkillers help with mild-to-moderate acute pain by treating the symptoms. These include Tylenol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Medication choice depends on the condition and risk factors of the patients. Some (cyclooxygenase-2 selective) NSAIDs can cause heart complications [R].
NSAIDs can reduce inflammation thus helping with pain. These drugs also reduce fever (antipyretic effects). These drugs include [R]:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
- Phenylbutazone
NSAIDs do have side effects, such as reducing the protective layers in the gut, which can cause stomach ulcers and increase intestinal permeability. In injuries, actively reducing inflammation may also prolong healing time [R, R, R].
General Pain
Camphor
Camphor is a compound that can be distilled from the bark and wood of the camphor tree or produced from turpentine oil. Camphor relieves pain by activating the TRPV1 and TRPV3 channels while blocking TRPA1. Topical preparations with 3-11% camphor are approved by the FDA for pain related to cold sores, insect stings and bites, burns, and hemorrhoids [R, R,
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