What is a pain management plan?
A pain management plan helps you find ways to control pain with side effects you can live with. Some diseases and injuries can cause pain that lasts a long time. Constant pain can make you depressed. It can cause stress and make it hard for you to eat and sleep. But you don't need to live with uncontrolled pain.
Why is it important to follow your pain management plan?
After you have an injury or surgery, a certain amount of pain is common and normal. But you can manage your pain after you leave the hospital.
The best way to do that is to follow your pain management plan. This will help keep you comfortable and able to do the things you want to do. It can also speed your recovery and help reduce the risk of problems.
How do you make a pain management plan?
You and your doctor will work to make your plan. Your plan can include more than one type of pain control. You may take prescription or over-the-counter drugs. You can also use physical treatments, like massage and acupuncture. Other things can help too, such as meditation or a type of counseling to change how you think about your pain.
It's important to let your doctor know how your pain is affecting your life. The goal of a pain management plan isn't to totally get rid of pain. Instead, the goal is to control the pain enough so that daily activities are easier.
If your pain isn't controlled well enough, talk with your doctor. You may need to make a new plan. Or your doctor may refer you to a specialist.
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