
How Does Pain Management Work?
Pain is our body’s way to let us know that something is wrong. It is a common symptom of many illnesses and injuries and serves as a deterrent for certain behaviors. When we stub our toe, the pain helps us be more careful about where we step. However, once we have a handle on what the problem is, pain is no longer necessary. If we have a broken arm, we no longer need to feel pain once we’ve received the proper treatment.
Additionally, some treatments may be hard on the body and cause pain. In this case, we know it is working to help relieve the actual problem, so pain management can help reduce the side effects. Treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy can cause pain while also addressing a much more serious and debilitating illness. Pain management is essential because even when the underlying disease process is stable, uncontrolled pain prevents patients from working productively and enjoying recreation.