FAQs on Pain Relief in Seattle without Opioids

30 Oct FAQs on Pain Relief in Seattle without Opioids

FAQs on Pain Relief without Opioids

Pain management can be achieved without the use of powerful opioids. Interventional pain management involves use of procedures to achieve long-term pain relief. These treatments can prevent pain from a variety of painful conditions that affect the spine and joints.

What conditions can be treated with Seattle interventional pain management?

Chronic pain results from many conditions. These include:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated disc
• Bulging disc
• Osteoarthritis
• Radiculopathy
• Sacroiliac joint disorders
• Facet joint syndrome
• Spondylolisthesis
• Spinal stenosis

What are the most commonly used interventional procedures by Seattle pain management doctors?

• Epidural steroid injection (ESI) – Often given in a series of three, these injections involve insertion of a needle into the epidural space outside the spinal cord. A corticosteroid, with or without an anesthetic, is instilled into this space, targeting the nearby spinal nerves.
• Sacroiliac joint injection – Located at the very low back region, the sacroiliac joints are often affected by arthritis. Injecting these joints with an anesthetic and steroid agent will offer pain relief. X-ray guidance is used to assure correct needle placement.
• Facet joint injection (FJI) – The facet joints are tiny joints along the posterior region of the spinal column. When inflammation and pain occurs due to damage to these joints, a corticosteroid may be injected.
• Selective nerve root block – To target a particular single nerve root in the spine, the doctor may use an injection. The nerve block allows the doctor to determine the exact nerve that causes the pain.
• Trigger point injections – For painful trigger points of the muscle and connective tissue, the doctor may use trigger point injections. This involves injecting an anesthetic or other medication into the trigger point.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – This small device delivers mild electrical current to help block pain signal transmission.

What prescription medications are addictive?

Chronic pain often requires the use of prescription medication, and learning disorders are often treated with stimulant medication. However, certain drugs can become addictive. These include:

• Adderall – This drug is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. This central nervous system stimulant speeds up many body processes. Abuse can occur when a person takes higher doses than prescribed, snorts the medication, or uses it for nonmedical purposes.
• Benzodiazepines – Used to treat anxiety disorders, drugs like Valium and Xanax are easily abused. When taken in excess, these drugs can depress respirations and affect the central nervous system.
• Opioids – Morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are commonly abused narcotic pain relievers. These drugs interfere with the pain signals sent to the brain and alter how the brain perceives pain. Because they produce a euphoria, they are commonly abused and highly addictive substances.
• Tramadol – This opioid analgesic is was once considered a safe alternative to other narcotic analgesics. However, this drug, when taken inappropriately, is often abused.

What are some nonnarcotic pain relievers?

To avoid use of opioids, there are several options for treatment of pain. These include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Used for short-term relief of pain, these include ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen. These drugs work by decreasing inflammation and swelling.
• Tricyclic antidepressants – These drugs include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, desipramine, and imipramine. Additional benefits of these drugs include assistance with sleep and treatment for depressed mood.
• Anticonvulsants – Drugs like gabapentin have proven useful for neuropathic pain. They work by decreasing acetylcholine for nerve impulse transmission. Carbamazepine reduces synaptic transmissions at the level of the brain, and is often used for chronic pain.
• Muscle relaxants – Lioresal and Flexiril are muscle relaxants that inhibit certain reflexes to provide muscle relaxation.
• Topical agents – These include lidocaine (anesthetic), mexiletine, Biofreeze, and capsaicin, which depletes substance P and decreases pain impulse transmission.

At Seattle Pain Relief, Board Certified pain doctors offer all types of pain relief treatment. Success rates are impressive, and most insurance is accepted. Patients are seen from a broad area including Seattle, Tacoma and Federal Way.

Call (855) WASH-PAIN today!