These electrical signals are designed to reduce the pain signals being sent to the spinal cord and brain, which should dull the pain sensations, as well as relaxing the surrounding muscles. TENS stimulation can also stimulate the production of endorphins, which act as the bodys natural painkillers.
TENS machines are a popular method of pain relief that can be used on a wide variety of conditions, including:. It is worth noting that TENS does not cure pain. Using a TENS machine will only provide short-term relief whilst the device is being used.
Also, TENS isn't suitable for everyone. It is important not to use a TENS machine without first seeking medical advice if:. It is commonly accepted that more research is needed to ascertain whether TENS is a reliable method for providing pain-relief. If you are considering TENS treatment, it is recommended you speak to your doctor or pharmacist first. For some people, complementary and alternative medicines may also prove helpful for neuropathic pain relief.
These treatments can include acupuncture and herbal remedies. Most alternative medicine is available without a prescription, however, it is always advised to consult your doctor before starting any new treatments for neuropathic pain.
Both acute and chronic pain cannot always be prevented. However, staying in good physical and mental health is probably the best method for staving off injury or illness, or at least helping to cope with it.
Pain is a sensation triggered by the nervous system , usually as a response to an injury or illness. The pain sensation is unpleasant; it hurts and causes discomfort, and perhaps even agony. Pain can be experienced in a variety of ways; from short and sharp, to dull and constant.
Pain can serve a purpose - acting as a useful mechanism from which to diagnose health problems. Without pain, illnesses may go undetected, or injuries unnoticed. Chronic pain describes the type of pain that persists long after the instigating injury or illness has healed. In a lot of cases, chronic pain will have originated from a past trauma or infection. However, some sufferers experience chronic pain in the absence of previous physical injury or illness. Common examples of chronic pain include:.
Chronic pain can cause a number of unpleasant physical effects including; tense muscles , lethargy , reduced mobility , and changes in appetite. These can include; depression, anxiety, and anger. Paracetamol is an analgesic pain killer and an antipyretic temperature reducer. It relieves mild to moderate pain such as headaches, sprains, toothache and cold and flu symptoms and reduces fever.
Paracetamol is sold under several brand names and is sometimes combined with other medications to form some well-known preparations, such as: Co-codamol: paracetamol and codeine and Co-dydramol: paracetamol and dihydrocodeine.
Certain medicines that are used to treat depression can also be effective at treating certain types of pain. Specifically, pain caused by damaged or sensitive nerves, such as shingles or sciatica. An example of an antidepressant commonly used for pain relief is Amitriptyline.
Other medicines can share a similar dual purpose, in the same way antidepressants do. For example, Gabapentin is an antiepileptic medicine, which is also an effective treatment for pain relief. Both antidepressants and antiepileptic treatments are only available with a valid prescription from your doctor. Your choice of pain relief will depend on the type of pain you have.
If the pain is mild to moderate with associated inflammation , for example; mild back pain or headaches , then Paracetamol or NSAIDs will be a suitable choice. If however, the pain is being caused by damaged or sensitive nerves , then Amitriptyline or Gabapentin would be a better choice. Ask our medical team for impartial information and advice about any treatment we provide or medical condition that we treat before you buy.
Or browse all treatments or conditions. Chris Newbury first joined The Independent Pharmacy as a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber in and has had an instrumental role in growing the service in the years since. Voltarol 1. Advice for Pain. The most common types of pain include: Back pain — most cases of back pain aren't caused by anything too serious. In most cases, back pain is caused by minor sprains or injuries. These injuries can be incurred by bending or twisting awkwardly, lifting heavy objects, over-stretching, slouching or hunching, and overusing muscles.
Some cases of back pain can be the result of a more serious medical condition, such as sciatica, arthritis or a slipped or prolapsed disc. On rare occasions, back pain can be the sign of something more serious, such as a spinal fracture or cancer.
Headache — headaches can be divided into two categories; primary and secondary. Primary headaches are, in most cases, caused by a dysfunction or an over activity in the pain- sensitive structures in the head. Examples of primary headaches include; migraine, tension headache and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches are a symptom of another condition that stimulates the pain-sensitive nerves in the head.
An example of a secondary headache is an alcohol-induced hangover. Joint pain — is the result of damage to the joints, either through disease or injury.
A variety of conditions can lead to joint pain, including; osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, bursitis, sprains, strains and other injuries. Period pain — is the result of muscular contractions of the womb. These contractions constantly pass through the womb, however, they are usually so mild that they pass unnoticed. During menstruation, these contractions can become more vigorous. This is to encourage the wombs lining to shed away as part of the monthly cycle.
These more intense contractions can compress the blood vessels in the womb, temporarily cutting off the blood supply. Without blood, the tissues in the womb become deprived of oxygen, which causes them to release chemicals that trigger pain in the body. Muscular pain — also known as myalgia, is often the result of too much stress, tension, or physical activity. However, in some cases, myalgia can be related to a medical condition, such as; viral or bacterial infections, fibromyalgia, thyroid problems, hypokalaemia low potassium , autoimmune disorders, and certain medicines, such as ACE inhibitors.
Dental pain — toothache is usually the result of the tooth's innermost layer becoming inflamed. This layer is known as the dental pulp and is made up of sensitive nerves and blood vessels. The dental pulp can become inflamed as a result of; tooth decay, receding gums, a cracked tooth, loose or broken fillings, and a periapical abscess. Other conditions that can cause dental pain, without the dental pulp being affected, include; sore and swollen gums, sinusitis, ulcers, periodontal abscess, and injury to the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull.
Babies can always experience dental pain when their teeth begin to develop. This is called teething. The goals of a comprehensive pain assessment are to: Gain a full description of the pain. Assess whether the description fits any well-known pain syndrome. Determine whether the pain is the result of a structural disease if the body.
Attempt to determine the mechanism perpetuating the pain. For example, tissue damage, nerve injury or psychological processes that may be maintaining the pain. Obtain a full description of the negative effects on the sufferers physical and psychological functioning caused by the pain. Determine whether any medical or psychiatric problems coexist with the pain and whether these will require simultaneous treatment.
Opioid Analgesics If suffering from a mild headache or a muscle strain, an over-the-counter pain reliever will usually be enough to ease the pain. Examples of opioid analgesics include: Codeine Fentanyl Hydrocodone Hydromorphone Morphine Methadone Oxycodone Meperidine Non-opioid Analgesics Non-opioid analgesics are generally used to treat mild to moderate pain.
Paracetamol Paracetamol is classed as a mild analgesic. Paracetamol is produced by multiple manufacturers in a wide variety of forms, including: Tablets or caplets Capsules Effervescent tablets Liquids Sachets Suppositories Injections Unlike other pain-relief medication, paracetamol is considered safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
If you are not sure whether paracetamol is safe for you, check with your doctor or pharmacist first — especially if: You suffer from any form of liver or kidney problem. You have issues with alcohol, such as long-term misuse. You are classed as very underweight. There were fewer side effects for people taking ibuprofen plus paracetamol than those taking placebo a pretend treatment. The results for side effects may be different if the painkillers are taken for more than a few days.
There is a body of reliable evidence about the efficacy of some of the most commonly available drugs and doses widely available without prescription. The postoperative pain model is predominantly pain after third molar extraction, which is used as the industry model for everyday pain. Adverse events were generally no different from placebo. Consumers can make an informed choice based on this knowledge, together with availability and price.
Headache and migraine were not included in this overview. Non-prescription over-the-counter, or OTC analgesics painkillers are used frequently. They are available in various brands, package sizes, formulations, and dose. Common questions about medicines. Page last reviewed: 20 February Next review due: 20 February Which painkiller?
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Mental health and wellbeing. Summer health Sunscreen and sun safety How to get vitamin D from sunlight Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather. Keep warm, keep well. David said his wife was able to order hundreds of pills using his credit card.
She started doing so in after becoming addicted to the opioid hydrocodone, which she was given for a slipped disc. She was able order medicines while she was pregnant by clicking a question on a form to say she was not pregnant, although in this instance the pills were not obtained from Doctoru and David could not recall which website they came from.
He added that addiction had had a huge impact on his family. Concerns have also been raised about websites allowing people to select medicines including opiates and opioids before a consultation. Things are almost at a crisis point. This article is more than 3 years old.
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