Sometimes we can feel older than we actually are if we suffer with chronic aches and pain, whereas some older folks act and feel like they are 30 years younger. “You’re only as old as you feel,” seems to ring true here. You might wonder why some older adults feel younger, and it most likely is the absence of pain. However, no matter how old you are, aging doesn’t mean having to live with pain.
Not Your Parents Pain Management
Years ago and even now, many believe when you get older, you naturally have to accept pain, and that it’s just part of aging. Beliefs about pain and aging can affect us either positively or negatively.
The unfortunate truth is that pain by itself can lead to depression and insufficient sleep, and it lowers your ability to stay active and enjoy life. Some of the very pain medications used to relieve that chronic pain can cause side effects and complications. In addition, many older adults may be taking multiple meds which even further increases the probability of drug interaction and side effects.
What alternatives are there if you don’t want to live in pain?
What’s New In Pain Management
New technology and non-invasive therapies and procedures have given older adults some relief from chronic pain.
Injections
An injection of cortisone can help those who suffer with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in their joints. A cortisone shot can radically diminish muscle pain and inflammations in joints. With reduced pain, you can once again enjoy golfing, walking and other leisure activities. Ask Palm Beach Pain Institute if an injection will help your joint pain.
Botox
Yes, Botox injections can help with painful migraines and other neuromuscular disorders. It prevents muscle contractions in the face, neck and lower back. In addition, Botox can help relieve myofascial pain or referred pain in painful muscle trigger points.
Endoscopic Discectomy
A herniated disc can be treated with this minimally invasive procedure. It is performed as an outpatient procedure and removes portions of the disc so painful nerves can be returned to their normal position.
Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty
This unique procedure helps those with severe back pain due to compression fractures in their vertebrae. Cement is placed in the damaged vertebrae to secure the fracture and restore the spine’s proper height.
Peripheral Nerve Block
This is a therapy which uses a combination of local anesthetic injections around peripheral nerve branches. It helps with peripheral neuropathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Relief can last from a few weeks to a few months.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
Here a nerve stimulation device is implanted which delivers low voltage electric current to areas of the spine. It prevents pain signals from reaching the brain. This treatment lasts for a minimum of 6 months.
IDET/Nucleoplasty
These are minimally invasive procedures using heat or plasma to destroy damaged nerve fibers in the spine.
If you are an older adult, it may be time to reframe your expectations about growing older and pain. You don’t have to live with pain.
Contact Palm Beach Pain Institute if you are looking for some alternatives for your chronic pain.
To schedule an appointment, please call (561) 499-7020 or request an appointment online today.