Chronic pain is a worldwide phenomenon that requires different treatment approaches for different patients. A number of common misconceptions about proper pain management exist. These can affect the efficacy of a pain management program. Therefore, debunk common misconceptions about pain management and read on to learn about the case of Amy B., who required a specialized pain management approach to control her chronic pain.
Amy B. is a 67-year-old female patient with severe pain from multiple fractures and osteoarthritis. She was originally prescribed Tylenol with codeine, which did not control her pain. After the addition of the non-invasive deoxyhemoglobin vasodilator D’OXYVA[1], Amy was completely pain free within 6 weeks.
Common Misconception Pain Management #1
All Patients Complain About Their Pain Levels to Obtain Pain Medications
Although, some patients who seek pain medications to feed drug addictions do “over-complain” about their pain levels, studies have consistently shown that the vast majority of legitimate pain management patients accurately describe their pain levels using a pain scale that ranges from 1 to 10.
Common Misconception Pain Management #2
Narcotic Pain Medications Are Always the Best Chronic Pain Treatments
Many other modalities[2] can be attempted before using narcotic pain medications. These alternatives include physical therapy, massage therapy, biofeedback, stretching and exercise. In addition researchers have found that the application of the non-invasive deoxyhemoglobin vasodilator D’OXYVA significantly decreases pain, especially in patients with diabetic neuropathy.
Common Misconception Pain Management #3
All Pain Management Patients Should Start on NSAIDs
Depending on the patient’s pain level, other medications such as opioids may be the appropriate first choice for adequate pain control.
Common Misconception Pain Management #4
All Pain Management Patients Are Drug Addicts Who Are Seeking Drugs
Legitimate pain management patients with conditions such as severe arthritis, gout, spinal stenosis, diabetic neuropathy, or diabetic foot ulcers are not drug addicts even though they require daily pain medications. Other types of patients with conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder or actual drug addictions may seek to divert pain medications to feed their addictions.
Common Misconception Pain Management #5
Treatment with Opioid Pain Medications Always Completely Eliminates a Patient’s Pain
The goal of pain management is to reduce a patient’s pain level using the lowest dose of opioids possible. This does not always result in complete pain relief. Other modalities such as the application of D’OXYVA can be used to help control chronic pain.
Common Misconception Pain Management #6
If One Type of Opioid Does Not Correct Chronic Pain, No Opioids Will Ever Control Chronic Pain
This is inaccurate. For example, if codeine does not adequately control a patient’s pain, a different class of opioids such as hydrocodone may be required for pain relief.
Common Misconception Pain Management #7
Patients Should Not Have Control over Their Opioid Pain Medications
Pain management patients should be in control of their own pain medications because they are in the best position to determine their actual pain control level and to know whether their pain medications are working.
Common Misconception Pain Management #8
Non-Invasive Pain Control Applications Such as D’OXYVA Have No Scientific Basis
Multiple studies have shown the efficacy of non-invasive applications such as D’OXYVA in controlling acute and chronic pain.
Common Misconception Pain Management #9
Chronic Pain Patients with Peptic Ulcer Disease Can Use NSAIDs Safely
NSAIDs should be used with care because they can exacerbate conditions like peptic ulcers or gastritis.
Common Misconception Pain Management #10
NSAIDs Used Topically for Chronic Pain Cause GI Problems
There is no evidence that topical NSAIDs cause this side effect.
References
HOW D’OXYVA CAN HELP?
D’OXYVA is the only fully noninvasive, completely painless over-the-skin microcirculatory and nerve stimulant solution that has been validated to significantly improve microcirculation.
The improvement of microcirculation, i.e., blood flow to the smallest blood vessels, benefits one’s health, immune system and overall sense of well-being in a variety of ways.
