Specialties

Pain Management

There are two general classifications of pain: acute and chronic. Most often, acute pain is caused by physical activity that causes damage to the bones, muscles or organs. Sometimes the pain can be accompanied by emotional stress or anxiety. However, acute pain only lasts for a short period of time. Acute pain can be treated relatively easily with home remedies and drugs that do not require prescriptions.

Chronic pain is caused by a variety of sources, with the most common being headaches, pain from injury or trauma, joint pain, and generalized muscle or nerve pain. Chronic pain is characterized as either neuropathic (associated with damage to the nervous system) or nociceptive, with the latter divided into “superficial somatic” and “deep” types of pain. Superficial somatic pain is felt in the skin or superficial tissues, and deep pain is felt as dull, poorly-localized pain due to stimulation in the ligaments, tendons, bones, blood vessels, muscles and organs. Chronic pain can occur in episodes or continuously, with severity ranging from mild to excruciating. Illnesses such as fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis are often associated with chronic pain. These illnesses have the potential to permanently damage muscle tissue and nerves, causing the onset of chronic pain. If pain is left untreated, psychological and emotional stress (including depression) may complicate or amplify the pain.

There are many ways to treat both acute and chronic pain, with Pain Management and Rehabilitation (PMR) medical specialists providing more personalized treatment options to relieve pain and improve quality of life. Therapy options can range from over-the-counter drugs to trigger point injections. Other steroid injections or stronger painkillers may be prescribed for a short amount of time depending upon the severity of pain. Muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs, and anti depressants (such as Cymbalta) are the most commonly prescribed types of treatment for chronic pain. Most patients experience breakthrough pain while undergoing treatment for chronic pain. This is a normal side effect of treatment, but if it persists, your treatment option may not be working for you.

Over 86 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. If you suffer from long-term back, neck, joint or muscle pain, you are not alone. There are options available to help maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. Stat Script Specialty is here to help manage pain and provide comprehensive treatment options alongside your medical providers. We offer several different types of pain management therapies, including related-DME products and prescription medications. Contact us today for more information.