Don't Let Cancer Pain Steal Your Joy: Find Relief

Nearly half of all cancer patients (44.5%) report pain that interferes with mobility and quality of life. This pain can make daily activities challenging, and even simple joys like seeing family or enjoying traditions can feel overwhelming. You want to celebrate, but if you’re constantly uncomfortable, staying in bed can seem like the easier option.

The good news is you don’t have to suffer. A variety of traditional and alternative therapies can ease cancer pain and help you regain comfort, so you can participate in activities. These approaches, offered at Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, under the care of board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, can help you find relief. 

Read on to learn more about cancer pain relief options, complementary therapies, and tips for getting comfortably through your daily life.

Understand your options for cancer pain relief

Cancer pain can be difficult to pinpoint. Sometimes, it’s the result of specific treatments, like chemotherapy or surgery, while in other cases, it’s caused by the disease itself. Regardless of your pain’s underlying cause, getting treatment is critical. Pain relief not only helps you live more comfortably, but it also enhances your overall quality of life and allows you to participate in social activities with greater ease.

Since every patient’s experience is unique, we offer a range of pain management options. Depending on the type and severity of your cancer pain, we may recommend:

• Medication management, using oral medications to provide personalized pain relief
• Nerve blocks that provide targeted pain relief
• Intrathecal pain pumps, used to help manage severe or persistent pain

The goal is to combine one or more of these approaches to minimize pain and help you enjoy life. 

Complementary therapies that can help relieve cancer pain

Medications and injections often reduce cancer pain, but they don’t always address associated side effects like loss of mobility and fatigue. That’s why we often recommend complementary therapies to help patients feel their best. 

No two treatment plans are exactly alike, but we commonly suggest:

Physical therapy 

Physical therapy (PT) utilizes targeted stretches and strengthening exercises to enhance mobility and alleviate discomfort. It’s a good option if you’re recovering from cancer surgery or have limited mobility due to the disease’s location.

Osteopathic manual therapy 

Osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) helps ease pain through hands-on musculoskeletal manipulation. It increases circulation and supports your body’s healing process, reducing cancer-related inflammation. 

When combined with traditional cancer treatments, these therapies help many patients experience reduced pain and improved comfort.

Tips for enjoying your social life despite cancer pain

Beyond cancer-specific treatments and alternative therapies, it’s important to listen to your body. You don’t have to overextend yourself. Here are a few simple tips that can help keep pain to a minimum:

• Plan activities around your energy and pain levels, and don’t feel guilty if you need to skip something.
• Ask for help with activities that worsen pain, such as hanging lights, decorating the tree, and cooking.
• Take all medications as prescribed.
• Attend all therapy and checkup appointments.

Scheduling regular checkups and treatments doesn’t have to take the joy out of the season. It’s one of the best ways to conserve your energy, allowing you to spend quality time with loved ones.

We can help you manage cancer pain 

Don’t let cancer pain keep you from enjoying friends, family, and activities. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about the treatment options available by calling our office at 561-499-7020 or booking online.