I Don’t Like Pain Meds – How Can I Manage My Pain?
Mar 20, 2017
For most people, the term “pain management” means taking a lot of pills. Pain pills are certainly one option for pain patients – but some patients can’t or don’t want to take pills for their pain. The good news is that there are many additional options available to patients who are unable or unwilling to take prescription medication for their pain. This patient education article will discuss some of the pain management alternatives for patients who can’t or don’t want to take opioids and other pain pills.
Injections are one of the most common methods for reducing chronic pain. There are several types of injections that can help – ketamine therapy, steroidal injections, nerve blocks, epidural injections, and more. The specific type of injection that works for you will depend on what’s causing your pain, and where you are experiencing the pain.
Medicinal marijuana is a pain relief option that may be available to some patients. Medical marijuana is available in the state of Minnesota, but only for certain conditions. Ask your pain management doctor if you qualify and if medicinal cannabis is a good treatment option for your pain.
Stem cell injections are another great alternative for patients wishing to avoid pain pills, surgery, or other methods. PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma) injections use the patient’s own blood plasma to help boost tissue regeneration and regrowth, reducing pain in the process. Prolotherapy injections work in a similar fashion, but use natural substances such as saline, dextrose, or sarapin. These procedures are completely natural, pain-free, and non-surgical.
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN provides treatment for chronic and acute pain to patients throughout the Minneapolis / St. Paul metro area, as well as greater Minnesota. Our board-certified pain management physicians have over two decades of experience and are trained in the most innovative pain management procedures and treatments including: prescription medications, injection therapy, and stem cell regenerative treatments (PRP and Prolotherapy). Contact us today to set up your appointment with one of our MN pain doctors at our Edina or Minneapolis clinics.